SULTAN II. OSMAN HAN

Father: Sultan 1. Ahmed
Mother: Mahfiruz Sultan
Date of Birth: November 3, 1604
Accession to the Throne: February 26, 1618
Date of Dethronement: May 19, 1622
Death: May 20, 1622

When Sultan Osman was enthroned at a young age, his first act was to make changes in administrative duties and among council of state members. The state was Ieft between the war with Persia in the East and the war with Poland in the West. After establishing the required order, Osman II decided for mobilization to Poland in spite of the objection from soldiers, and participated in the mobilization himself.

During the years of his reign, the state had to deal with consecutive natural disasters in Istanbul. One part of the Istanbul Covered Market burnt down in 1621 and the remaning part the following year.

Sultan Osman's major intention was to eliminate the Jannissaries, and the Jannissary Corps. He therefore started preparations together with his reliable officers. Studies also continued about the method of establishing a new military discipline which would replace the Jannissary Corps. The Jannissaries heard about these activities and they gathered at the Sultanahmet Square raising some requests in rebellion. Since they conceived that the Sovereign would annihilate them, they acted before him and raided the Palace. They enthroned Sultan Mustafa and strangled a reformist Sovereign.

Sultan Osman was a well educated prince and had the capacity to undertake the responsibility of being in power in spite of his taking over the govemance of state at a very young age. He had a restless nature and an obstinate character. He was reckless, daring and intelligent. He was very much aware of the situation the state was in, and believed that the state could be strentgthened through the reforms to be realized. He was proud of the achievements and victories of his ancestors in protecting the statefs territories.

Young Osman was of medium build, of light complexion, was handsome and had a very strong constitution. He was a very sensitive person. He was a good poet and wrote poetry under the pseudonym of Farisi.