Cut off your legs or head and leave them in the square for the edification of others? Easy! So Sultan Murad IV fought against drunkenness in the Ottoman Empire. He also cut off the noses of those who sniffed tobacco, and executed officials for the slightest offense. And he even got spies so that they would definitely not drink coffee and wine in the city. How did the Ottoman Empire fight alcoholism? And who was the most bloodthirsty sultan in history?
Sultan is a tyrant
Murad IV was the most bloodthirsty sultan of the Ottoman Empire. He had to become a tyrant – in those days the country needed a firm hand so as not to plunge into turmoil. He did not spare enemies, civilians of captured cities and even his subjects. Sultan Murad showed particular cruelty to those who did not heed his decrees. The ruler instilled in his contemporaries awe and horror. People were even afraid of his name.
Under Murad IV, there was a dry law in the country, and the sultan personally kept order. Once the padishah found the gardener and his wife drinking wine. He immediately ordered to cut off their legs and leave them to bleed in front of the amazed audience. Others he impaled, deprived of their heads or hands.
Under Sultan Murad, it was generally not sweet: they found him with tobacco – death, drank coffee – death, passed without a lantern after a night prayer – death. The order was followed by spies dressed as the townspeople. They patrolled the streets and even sniffed the chimneys on the roofs – God forbid, what is forbidden. The sultan himself liked to go out into the city dressed as a commoner and ask the merchants to sell him tobacco. Then he personally cut off the head of those who agreed.
Good deeds
Despite the bloodthirstiness, Murad IV left a good legacy to the Ottoman Empire. Under him, mosques and schools were actively built, science developed, and the inventor Ahmed Chelebi even flew on wings. He strengthened the fleet, recaptured lost lands and restored order in a weakened country.
Mysterious death of Murad IV
They say that the sultan himself was not averse to pawning by the collar. Therefore, he died at the age of 27 from a mysterious disease suspiciously similar to cirrhosis of the liver. Murad managed to restore order in the country and conceive as many as 32 children.
Today, alcohol is allowed in Turkey, but many local residents have remained faithful to the traditions.
Illustration: Murad IV is the son of Kesem Sultan. He is described in the Turkish TV series “The Magnificent Century. Empire of Kesem “.
