| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Murad IV Ghazi (July 26/27, 1612 – February 8/9, 1640) was the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire from 1623 to 1640, known both for restoring the authority of the state and for the brutality of his methods. Murad IV was born in Istanbul, the son of Sultan Ahmed I (1603–17) and the ethnic Greek Valide Sultan Kadinefendi Kösem Sultan (also known as Mahpeyker), originally named Anastasia. Brought to power by a palace conspiracy in 1623, he succeeded his mad uncle Mustafa I (1617–18, 1622–23). He was only eleven when he took the throne. He married Aisha, without issue.
Murad IV in 1632[]
Abrabanel Francisco Nasi had served in the court of Murad IV, who was indifferent to the presence of Jews and Christians in his country, so long as they practiced their religion quietly. Murad had heard the rumors of Grantville, and dismissed them. He even issued a proclamation that the Ring of Fire hadn't happened and that the Americans were witches. When concrete reports proved Grantville did exist, Murad refused to accept his error, and went as far to execute anyone saying otherwise. However, Austro-Hungarian intelligence suggested that Murad's proclamation was a feint, and that the Sultan had purchased a prodigious number of copies of various texts from Grantville, including histories and technical and scientific manuals. Many interpreted this as evidence that Murad was trying to produce new and advanced weapons to facilitate the conquest of Austria, Hungary, and the Middle East. Indeed, the pragmatic Sultan was interested in modern technology as long as "up-timers" weren't mentioned, and had ordered the construction of airships.
Murad later successfully led his military in the conquest of Mesopotamia with the use of his airships, and effectively conquered the entire region. He later visited Baghdad where he made his speech and announcement to his armies in recalling his forces back to Istanbul and renewing his expansionist pursuit in Western Europe, thus reigniting his war against Austria-Hungary.[1]
Breaking with tradition, Murad ordered that there would be no looting of the city of Vienna when he takes over it. This was a shrewd move intended to lessen the ire of the city's inhabitants towards the occuping force.
During his first battle against the forces of the USE and Bohemia, he made a mistake when ordering his Siphati cavalry to attack the enemy. Wrongfully assuming that the path his horsemen would take is wider and smooth, the Ottoman Cavalry was slaughtered by the Volley Guns, Hangman's Regiment and Pappenheim's Black Curaissers.
After watching Julie Sims destroy his Air Force, Murad ordered the Army to train snipers of their own.
He was aware of his early death due to alcoholism and knows that the Ottoman Empire will decline into nothingness if things continue the same.
| Regnal titles (OTL) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Mustafa I |
Sultan of the Ottoman Empire Sep 10, 1623 - Feb 9, 1640 |
Succeeded by Ibrahim I |
| Religious titles (OTL) | ||
| Preceded by Mustafa I |
Caliph of Islam Sep 10, 1623 - Feb 9, 1640 |
Succeeded by Ibrahim I |
References[]
- ↑ 1636: The Saxon Uprising, Ch.30