Kapitel 4: Chapter 4 :Battles Within the Palace Walls
While wars raged in the far corners of the empire, Osman was fighting a different kind of battle within the walls of Topkapı Palace a battle involving what could be considered humanity's most powerful weapon and an heir's most essential asset: the ability to express oneself, or more simply, the ability to speak.
For the palace staff and his mother, this struggle was a captivating spectacle.
However, to Osman, their reactions were nothing but humiliating. Despite being in the body of an infant, his mental age was in his twenties. Drinking milk, soiling himself, and learning how to talk—these daily challenges were all degrading, but mastering speech was the least demeaning of them.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the palace, Osman's father, Sultan Ahmed, was fighting his own battles. Ahmed struggled to control the government due to his young age. His lack of experience was a significant handicap, further exacerbated by being the first sultan to ascend the throne without prior experience in provincial governance. Provinces traditionally served as a kind of apprenticeship for future sultans, providing them with a local power base and practical knowledge in governance, law, and economics.
Without this experience, Ahmed's authority was not easily accepted by state officials, forcing his mother, Handan Sultan, to assume a semi-regent role. Handan Sultan, who had instilled values in Ahmed from a young age, intensified her efforts to shape his character and later guided him in governance. Unlike other Valide Sultans, she wielded her son's power not for personal gain but for his future.
The first major reform of Ahmed's reign was the establishment of the "Ekber ve Erşed" system, a law stipulating that the throne would pass to the eldest and most capable member of the dynasty. This new system strengthened Ahmed's position and garnered support from both palace officials and the public. It also alleviated some of the resentment caused by Ahmed's father, Mehmed III, who had executed 19 of his brothers upon ascending the throne, casting a dark shadow over both the palace and the people.
Although the Ekber ve Erşed system was theoretically perfect for Osman, the eldest son, he could not fully rely on it. Historically, Osman would eventually be compelled to eliminate one of his brothers, which would result in negative public opinion and resistance from palace officials. Despite the system's protection, Osman was acutely aware of the possibility that any of his brothers could someday stake a claim to his throne—or worse, rebel against him.
To counter potential threats, Osman planned to manage his brothers with a combination of intelligence and compassion. By fostering respect and affection rather than rivalry, he aimed to minimize dangers. He preferred a harmonious family member without political ambition over a talented but rivalrous contender.
Osman realized that the most critical assurance he needed was not with his brothers but with their mothers, as no threat loomed larger than that of a mother worried for her son's life. He sought to establish authority over his brothers while building trust with their mothers by showing genuine care for their children.
Osman's ultimate desire was not to be entangled in palace intrigues but to focus on resolving the empire's internal issues.
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein