|
Ottoman Empires

MUSTAFA III
(Mustapha III)
1757 - 1774
|
Father Name |
: Ahmed III |
|
Mother Name |
: Mihrisah Sultan |
|
Birth (place and date) |
: 28 January 1717 |
|
Death (place and date) |
: 21 January 1774 |
|
Reign |
: 30 October 1757 - 1774 |
BIOGRAPHY
Sultan Mustafa III was born in January 28, 1717 in
Istanbul. His father is Sultan Ahmet III, and his mother is Mihrisah
Sultana. He was very well educated and he was interested in astrology. He
also researched the Ottoman and Islam histories.
Mustafa III was very religious, very merciful and kind hearted. In an
earthquake taken two minutes and destroyed more than a half part of Istanbul,
he helped the people from his own wealth.
Sultan Mustafa III was believing the necessity of a reform. He heard about
the reformation of the King of Prussia Fredrick II and sent Ahmet Resmi
Efendi there. Fredrick II sent his four secrets with Ahmet Resmi Efendi;
·Read history, and examine the experiences.
Tried to have a powerful army and during the time peace educate your
soldiers.
Put emphasis on the economy, fill your treasury with money always.
When Sultan heard these he smiled and said; We desire to achieve these too,
but how?. He was thinking that the worst disaster will come from Russia to
his country. He worked day and night, he prepared for a possible war. He
filled the treasury in order to use in the war.
He was planning to open the Suez Canal but he was tied by lack of talented
statesmen. During the Ottoman-Russian War he had fallen ill and died because
of a hearth attack in 21st of October, 1774.
Sultan Mustafa was aware of the fact that a military reform was necessary.
He declared new military regulations. He fixed bayonets to the rifles. He
established a new artillery. He opened maritime and artillery academies. He
obliged even the older soldiers to be educated. Baron de Tott was his most
important assistance during these military reformations. Baron modernised
the military system.
Sultan Mustafa III was a poet, and he has very famous poems.
ARCHITECTURE
Sultan Mustafa III restored the Mosques of Fatih and Eyüb
Sultan destroyed in the earthquake happened in 1766. He made an urban
revival in Istanbul, he nearly rebuilt the city. He had had built Laleli
Mosque in four years. In his period, Uskudar Ayazma Mosque, Cavalry Inn,
Mehmet Bey Mosque in Cairo, Sultan Mustafa III Mosque in Rhodes were built
as well.
The OTTOMAN-RUSSIAN WAR
After the treaty of Belgrade signed in 1739, Russia did not declare war
against the Ottoman Empire, but, continued anti-Turkish provocation in the
Balkans. With the conflict of Poland the Ottoman-Russian problems occurred
again. Ottoman Empire since the second half of the 16th century was
effective on Polish sovereigns. But, in this period the Ottomans were not
politically as strong as dominate Poland.
Russia ascended Stanisla Pontovoski to the throne in Poland. Polish people
revolted against new king and in Bar Confederation they requested assistance
of Ottoman Empire. Under these circumstances Sultan Mustafa III declared war
against Russia in October 8, 1768.
Unfortunately, the war was continuing with Russias successes and Sultan
Mustafa wanted to command the army himself, but, his health was not suitable.
The bad news coming from the fronts very effected him very badly and he died
on the 21st of January in 1774.
|