Today in history: Mustafa II

steemizen (69)in #history • 8 years ago

Hello Steemians!

Welcome to today's episode of the "Today in History" serial, where I bring you daily historical facts and events of the current date.

On January 27, 1695. Mustafa II became the 22nd Ottoman sultan!

Mustafa II was born on February 6, 1664. in the Erdine Palace in today's Turkey
He was the son of sultan Mehmed IV and Emetullah Rabia Gülnuş.

Mehmed IV

After the death of his uncle, Ahmed II, Mustafa became sultan.
He inherited an empire that was at war, the Great Turkish War between the Ottoman Empire and the Holy League, which lasted from 1683. to 1699.

Ahmed II

The first challenge that Mustafa II set before himself was regain control of the lost lands in Hungary.
He saw it as an very important task and personally commanded most of his army.
In February he sent Mezzo Morto Hüseyin Pasha, his Kapudan Pashas ("Captain of the Seas") to reclaim island Chios, which was lost earlier to Venice.
The Ottoman navy defeated the Venetian Fleet twice, first in the Battle of the Oinousses Islands and then in the Battle of Chios.

In June 1695, he set out for his first military campaign against the Habsburg Empire, successfully capturing Lipova already in early September.
Just a few days after, on Spetember 25, he defeated the Habsburg army in the Battle of Logos and then returned back to Edirne.

In 1696. Mustafa went to battle again, defeating the Habsburgs army in the Battle of Ulas and Cenei and conquered the city Timisoara before returning to the capital once again.
Shortly after, in June 1697. Mustafa decided to march again.
On September 11. his army was surprised by the Habsburgs, what is known as the Battle of Zenta
While crossing the Tisa river, the Habsrburgs army ambushed the Ottoman forces.
Despite having nearly twice as many men, the Ottoman army suffered a great loss and was forced to give up control over Banat and retreat.

Battle of Zenta

The Battle of Zenta ultimately resulted in the Treaty of Karlowitz on January 26. 1699. in Sremski Karlovci.
It ended the Great Turkish War and therewith the control of the Ottoman empire in the Central Europe after centuries of their expansion.
It counted for the biggest loss in the reign of Mustafa II, the loss of Hungary.

Treaty of Karlowitz

Mustafa II died at the Topkapi Palace in Constantinople on December 30.
He was deposed and his brother Ahmed III claimed the throne becoming the new sultan.

Ahmed III