Prince Mustafa (Episode 2): Reasons for the Death Penalty by Sultan Suleiman
Prince Mustafa was executed while conducting the Nahchivan campaign against the Safavids. But after killing him, the campaign faded a lot. There are many reasons behind this. Let's look at that.
After the withdrawal of the Ottoman army from eastern Anatolia in 1539, the Kizilbas began to persecute the locals. As a result, there was a need to increase the military presence and conduct operations again.But the big question is who will lead this campaign.
After 1547-49, Sultan Suleiman did not go on any expedition for about three years. Meanwhile, at the request of Rustam Pasha, Ahmed Pasha left for Transylvania. As a result, this time Suleiman wanted to stay in the capital with Rustam Pasha as the commander.
The Sultan thought that Rustam Pasha had earlier played an important role in two army campaigns in 1533-36. So this winter the troops will agree to go with him to the eastern expedition. And if need be, he will join himself in the spring.
Rustam Pasha, meanwhile, was busy assembling troops from Rumeli and organizing them. In September 1552, he left Istanbul with about 50,000 troops.
He thought he would have to go as far as Kayseri. But Rustam Pasha did not want to go so far. His fear is that if the Sultan's health deteriorates, Prince Mustafa can seize the throne with the help of the Janissaries.
Initially, Rustam and Sultan Suleiman had no intention of fighting the Safavids in this campaign. Rather, he wanted to force the Safavids into a peace treaty.
Many kingdoms at that time were afraid to fight the Ottomans. Safavira is no exception The Ottomans have already used this facility with Habsburg. From this plan, Rustam Pasha did not express interest in moving his army to the far east of the capital.
When the vizier arrived in Anatolia with his troops, a situation arose in which Mustafa was destined. On the one hand, as Hurram and Rustam were planning to oust Mustafa, the prince was also forging ties with the army and influential bureaucrats. Both sides were making political moves from their own side.
Rustam was literally trying to make Mustafa a rebellious prince. Wanted to present him as a traitor to the people. In it he preaches among the armies that Sultan Suleiman wanted to abdicate the throne voluntarily.
But he did not let that happen. But at that time Mustafa could have removed Rustam Pasha from his power if he wanted. His one little step was enough But to take action against Wazir Azam means to declare rebellion against the Sultan.
In the winter of 1553, a reckless decision by Prince Mustafa created a valuable opportunity for his enemies. Sultan Suleiman thought that the army's deep support for the prince and that he was accepting it was a kind of rebellion. Because of this the respect and importance of the Sultan in the empire decreased.