# Ottoman dynasty

The Ottoman dynasty (Turkish: Osmanlı Hanedanı) consisted of the members of the imperial House of Osman (Ottoman Turkish: خاندان آل عثمان, romanized: Ḫānedān-ı Āl-i ʿOsmān), also known as the Ottomans (Turkish: Osmanlılar). According to Ottoman tradition, the family originated from the Kayı tribe branch of the Oghuz Turks, under Osman I in northwestern Anatolia in the district of Bilecik, Söğüt. The Ottoman dynasty, named after Osman I, ruled the Ottoman Empire from c. 1299 to 1922.
During much of the Empire's history, the sultan was the absolute regent, head of state, and head of government, though much of the power often shifted to other officials such as the Grand Vizier. During the First (1876–78) and Second Constitutional Eras (1908–20) of the late Empire, a shift to a constitutional monarchy was enacted, with the Grand Vizier taking on a prime ministerial role as head of government and heading an elected General Assembly.
The imperial family was deposed from power and the sultanate was abolished on 1 November 1922 immediately after the Turkish War of Independence. The Republic of Turkey was declared the following year. The living members of the dynasty were initially sent into exile as personae non-gratae, though some have been allowed to return and live as private citizens in Turkey. In its current form, the family is known as the Osmanoğlu family.

## History

The Ottoman dynasty operated under several basic premises: that the Sultan governed the empire's entire territory, that every male member of the dynastic family was hypothetically eligible to become Sultan, and that only one person at a time could be the Sultan. Such rules were fairly standard for monarchic empires of the time. The certain processes through which men rose to the Sultanate, however, were very specific to the Ottoman Empire. To go into greater detail about these processes, the history of succession between Sultans can be divided into two eras: the period between the reign of Orhan (1323–1362), the first person to inherit the Ottoman sultanate, and the reign of Ahmed I (1603–1617); and the period following Ahmed I's reign.
The succession process during the first period was dominated by violence and intra-familial conflict, in which the various sons of the deceased Sultan fought until only one remained alive and, thus, inherited the throne. This tradition was known as fratricide in the Ottoman Empire but may have evolved from tanistry, a similar succession procedure that existed in many Turco-Mongolic dynasties predating the Ottomans. Sons of the Sultan were often given provincial territories to govern until the Sultan's death, at which point they would each vie for the throne. Each son had to, according to historian H. Erdem Cipa, "demonstrate that his fortune was superior to the fortunes of his rivals", a demonstration that often took the form of military accomplishment and ruthlessness. This violence was not considered particularly unexpected or unusual. As Cipa has noted, the Ottoman words for "successor" and "conflict" share the same Arabic root, and indeed, all but one of the successions in this roughly 200-year period involved a resolution by combat. Over time, the combat became increasingly prevalent and recognized, especially after a Janissary uprising negated Murad II's attempt to abdicate the throne peacefully to his son, Mehmed II, in 1444. During the eventual reign of Mehmed II (1451–1481), fratricide was legalized as an official practice; during the reign of Bayezid II (1481–1512), fratricide between Bayezid II's sons occurred before Bayezid II himself died; and after the reign of Murad III (1574–1595), his successor Mehmed III executed 19 brothers to claim the throne.
During the second period, the tradition of fratricide was replaced by a simpler and less violent procedure. Starting with the succession from Ahmed I to Mustafa I in 1617, the Ottoman throne was inherited by the eldest male blood relative – not necessarily the son – of the Sultan, regardless of how many eligible family members were alive. The change in succession procedure was likely instigated by numerous factors, including fratricide's decline in popularity among Ottoman elites and Ahmed I's decision not to kill Mustafa when inheriting the throne from Mehmed III in 1603. With the door open for a policy change, a political debate arose between those who supported unrestricted Sultanic privilege and those who supported a stronger, centralized law system that would supersede even the Sultan's power to an extent. Historian Baki Tezcan has argued that the latter faction – with the help of the influential şeyhülislam Hocazade Esad Efendi – was able to prevail in this instance. The bloodless succession from Ahmed I to Mustafa I in 1617 "provided a reference for the eventual stabilization of the rule of Ottoman succession, the very regulation of which by an outside force was in effect a constitutional check on the dynastic prerogative," Tezcan has written. The precedent set in 1617 stuck, as the eldest living family member successfully inherited the throne in each of the following 21 successions, with relatively few instances of a son inheriting the throne.

## Succession practices

From the fourteenth through the late sixteenth centuries, the Ottomans practiced open succession – something historian Donald Quataert has described as "survival of the fittest, not eldest, son." During their father's lifetime, all adult sons of the reigning Osmanoğlu family's sultan were given provincial governorships in order to gain experience in administration (a practice commonly found in Central Asian tradition), accompanied and mentored by their retinues and tutors. Upon the death of their father, the reigning sultan, these sons would fight amongst themselves for the succession until one emerged triumphant. The first son to reach the capital and seize control of the court would usually become the new ruler. The proximity of a Şehzade (=Prince) to Constantinople improved his chances of success, simply because he could hear of his father's death, seize control of the Ottoman court in the capital, and declare himself Sultan first. A Sultan could thus hint at his preferred successor by giving a favourite son a closer governorship. Bayezid II, for instance, had to fight his brother Cem Sultan in the 1480s for the right to rule.
Occasionally, the half-brothers would begin the struggle even before the death of their father. Under Suleiman the Magnificent (1520–1566), strife between his sons Şehzade Mustafa and Şehzade Selim (later Selim II) caused such internal turmoil that Suleiman ordered the deaths of both Şehzade Mustafa and another son, Şehzade Bayezid, leaving Şehzade Selim the sole heir.
During the reigns of Suleiman I and Selim II, the Haseki Sultan (Ottoman Turkish: خاصکى سلطان) or chief consort rose to greater prominence. Gaining power within the Imperial Harem, the favourite was able to manoeuvre to ensure the succession for one of her sons. This led to a short period of effective primogeniture. However, unlike in the earlier period, when the sultan had already defeated his brothers and potential rivals for the throne in battle, these sultans had the problem of many half-brothers who could act as the focus for rival factions. Thus, to prevent attempts at seizing the throne, reigning sultans practiced fratricide upon accession, starting with Murad I in 1362. Both Murad III and his son Mehmed III had their half-brothers murdered. The killing of all the new sultan's brothers and half-brothers (who were usually quite numerous) was traditionally done by manual strangling with a silk cord. As the centuries passed, the ritual killing was gradually replaced by lifetime solitary confinement in the "Golden Cage" or kafes, a room in the harem from where the sultan's brothers could never escape, unless perchance they became heir presumptive. Some had already become mentally unstable by the time they were asked to reign.
Mehmed III was the last sultan to have previously held a provincial governorship. Sons now remained within the harem until the death of their father. This not only denied them the ability to form powerful factions capable of usurping their father but also denied them the opportunity to have children while their father remained alive. Thus, when Mehmet's son came to the throne as Ahmed I, he had no children of his own. Moreover, as a minor, there was no evidence he could have children. This had the potential to create a crisis of succession and led to a gradual end to fratricide. Ahmed had some of his brothers killed, but not Mustafa (later Mustafa I). Similarly, Osman II allowed his half-brothers Murad IV and Ibrahim to live. This led to a shift in the 17th century from a system of primogeniture to one based on agnatic seniority, in which the eldest male within the dynasty succeeded, also to guarantee adult sultans and prevent both fratricides as well as the sultanate of women. Thus, Mustafa succeeded his brother Ahmed; Suleiman II and Ahmed II succeeded their brother Mehmed IV before being succeeded in turn by Mehmed's son Mustafa II. Agnatic seniority explains why from the 17th century onwards a deceased sultan was rarely succeeded by his son, but usually by an uncle or brother. It also meant that potential rulers had to wait a long time in the kafes before ascending the throne, hence the old age of certain sultans upon their enthronement. Although attempts were made in the 19th century to replace agnatic seniority with primogeniture, they were unsuccessful, and seniority was retained until the abolition of the sultanate in 1922.

## Chronology of sultans

The genealogy of the Ottoman Sultans including their mothers :
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Süleyman Şâh / Gündüz Âlp ( ?–1227) | Süleyman Şâh / Gündüz Âlp ( ?–1227) | Süleyman Şâh / Gündüz Âlp ( ?–1227) | Süleyman Şâh / Gündüz Âlp ( ?–1227) | Süleyman Şâh / Gündüz Âlp ( ?–1227) | Süleyman Şâh / Gündüz Âlp ( ?–1227) | | | | | | | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Ertuğrul Gazi أرطغرل غازی (1227–1281) | Ertuğrul Gazi أرطغرل غازی (1227–1281) | Ertuğrul Gazi أرطغرل غازی (1227–1281) | Ertuğrul Gazi أرطغرل غازی (1227–1281) | Ertuğrul Gazi أرطغرل غازی (1227–1281) | Ertuğrul Gazi أرطغرل غازی (1227–1281) | | | | | | | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 1. Osman Gazi عثمان غازى 1281-1326 | 1. Osman Gazi عثمان غازى 1281-1326 | 1. Osman Gazi عثمان غازى 1281-1326 | 1. Osman Gazi عثمان غازى 1281-1326 | 1. Osman Gazi عثمان غازى 1281-1326 | 1. Osman Gazi عثمان غازى 1281-1326 | | | | | | | Malhun Hatun (unclear) | Malhun Hatun (unclear) | Malhun Hatun (unclear) | Malhun Hatun (unclear) | Malhun Hatun (unclear) | Malhun Hatun (unclear) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2. Orhan Gazi اورخان غازی 1326-1359 | 2. Orhan Gazi اورخان غازی 1326-1359 | 2. Orhan Gazi اورخان غازی 1326-1359 | 2. Orhan Gazi اورخان غازی 1326-1359 | 2. Orhan Gazi اورخان غازی 1326-1359 | 2. Orhan Gazi اورخان غازی 1326-1359 | | | | | | | Nilüfer Hatun | Nilüfer Hatun | Nilüfer Hatun | Nilüfer Hatun | Nilüfer Hatun | Nilüfer Hatun |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 3. Murad I مراد اول خداوندگار 1359-1389 | 3. Murad I مراد اول خداوندگار 1359-1389 | 3. Murad I مراد اول خداوندگار 1359-1389 | 3. Murad I مراد اول خداوندگار 1359-1389 | 3. Murad I مراد اول خداوندگار 1359-1389 | 3. Murad I مراد اول خداوندگار 1359-1389 | | | | | | | Gül-Çiçek Hatun | Gül-Çiçek Hatun | Gül-Çiçek Hatun | Gül-Çiçek Hatun | Gül-Çiçek Hatun | Gül-Çiçek Hatun |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 4. Bayezid I ییلدیرم بايزيد الأول 1389-1403 | 4. Bayezid I ییلدیرم بايزيد الأول 1389-1403 | 4. Bayezid I ییلدیرم بايزيد الأول 1389-1403 | 4. Bayezid I ییلدیرم بايزيد الأول 1389-1403 | 4. Bayezid I ییلدیرم بايزيد الأول 1389-1403 | 4. Bayezid I ییلدیرم بايزيد الأول 1389-1403 | | | | | | | Devlet Hatun | Devlet Hatun | Devlet Hatun | Devlet Hatun | Devlet Hatun | Devlet Hatun |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 5. Mehmed I چلبی محمد 1413-1421 | 5. Mehmed I چلبی محمد 1413-1421 | 5. Mehmed I چلبی محمد 1413-1421 | 5. Mehmed I چلبی محمد 1413-1421 | 5. Mehmed I چلبی محمد 1413-1421 | 5. Mehmed I چلبی محمد 1413-1421 | | | | | | | Emine Valide Hatun | Emine Valide Hatun | Emine Valide Hatun | Emine Valide Hatun | Emine Valide Hatun | Emine Valide Hatun |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 6. Murad II مراد ثانى 1421-1451 | 6. Murad II مراد ثانى 1421-1451 | 6. Murad II مراد ثانى 1421-1451 | 6. Murad II مراد ثانى 1421-1451 | 6. Murad II مراد ثانى 1421-1451 | 6. Murad II مراد ثانى 1421-1451 | | | | | | | Hadice Âlime Hümâ Valide Hatun | Hadice Âlime Hümâ Valide Hatun | Hadice Âlime Hümâ Valide Hatun | Hadice Âlime Hümâ Valide Hatun | Hadice Âlime Hümâ Valide Hatun | Hadice Âlime Hümâ Valide Hatun |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 7. Mehmed II محمد الثانى الفاتح 1451-1481 | 7. Mehmed II محمد الثانى الفاتح 1451-1481 | 7. Mehmed II محمد الثانى الفاتح 1451-1481 | 7. Mehmed II محمد الثانى الفاتح 1451-1481 | 7. Mehmed II محمد الثانى الفاتح 1451-1481 | 7. Mehmed II محمد الثانى الفاتح 1451-1481 | | | | | | | Emîne Gül-Bahar Valide Hatun (Own mother) & Sitt-î Mükrîme Hatun (Stepmother) | Emîne Gül-Bahar Valide Hatun (Own mother) & Sitt-î Mükrîme Hatun (Stepmother) | Emîne Gül-Bahar Valide Hatun (Own mother) & Sitt-î Mükrîme Hatun (Stepmother) | Emîne Gül-Bahar Valide Hatun (Own mother) & Sitt-î Mükrîme Hatun (Stepmother) | Emîne Gül-Bahar Valide Hatun (Own mother) & Sitt-î Mükrîme Hatun (Stepmother) | Emîne Gül-Bahar Valide Hatun (Own mother) & Sitt-î Mükrîme Hatun (Stepmother) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 8. Bayezid II بايزيد ثانى 1481-1512 | 8. Bayezid II بايزيد ثانى 1481-1512 | 8. Bayezid II بايزيد ثانى 1481-1512 | 8. Bayezid II بايزيد ثانى 1481-1512 | 8. Bayezid II بايزيد ثانى 1481-1512 | 8. Bayezid II بايزيد ثانى 1481-1512 | | | | | | | Gül-Bahar Hatun (Own mother) & Ayşe Hatun (Stepmother) | Gül-Bahar Hatun (Own mother) & Ayşe Hatun (Stepmother) | Gül-Bahar Hatun (Own mother) & Ayşe Hatun (Stepmother) | Gül-Bahar Hatun (Own mother) & Ayşe Hatun (Stepmother) | Gül-Bahar Hatun (Own mother) & Ayşe Hatun (Stepmother) | Gül-Bahar Hatun (Own mother) & Ayşe Hatun (Stepmother) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 9. Selim I سليم الأول 1512-1520 The First Ottoman Caliph (1517-1520) | 9. Selim I سليم الأول 1512-1520 The First Ottoman Caliph (1517-1520) | 9. Selim I سليم الأول 1512-1520 The First Ottoman Caliph (1517-1520) | 9. Selim I سليم الأول 1512-1520 The First Ottoman Caliph (1517-1520) | 9. Selim I سليم الأول 1512-1520 The First Ottoman Caliph (1517-1520) | 9. Selim I سليم الأول 1512-1520 The First Ottoman Caliph (1517-1520) | | | | | | | Hafîze (Ayşe Hafsa) Vâlide Sultân | Hafîze (Ayşe Hafsa) Vâlide Sultân | Hafîze (Ayşe Hafsa) Vâlide Sultân | Hafîze (Ayşe Hafsa) Vâlide Sultân | Hafîze (Ayşe Hafsa) Vâlide Sultân | Hafîze (Ayşe Hafsa) Vâlide Sultân |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 10. Suleiman I القانونى‎ سليمان 1520-1566 | 10. Suleiman I القانونى‎ سليمان 1520-1566 | 10. Suleiman I القانونى‎ سليمان 1520-1566 | 10. Suleiman I القانونى‎ سليمان 1520-1566 | 10. Suleiman I القانونى‎ سليمان 1520-1566 | 10. Suleiman I القانونى‎ سليمان 1520-1566 | | | | | | | Hürrem Haseki Sultân خرم سلطان | Hürrem Haseki Sultân خرم سلطان | Hürrem Haseki Sultân خرم سلطان | Hürrem Haseki Sultân خرم سلطان | Hürrem Haseki Sultân خرم سلطان | Hürrem Haseki Sultân خرم سلطان |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 11. Selim II سليم ثانى 1566-1574 | 11. Selim II سليم ثانى 1566-1574 | 11. Selim II سليم ثانى 1566-1574 | 11. Selim II سليم ثانى 1566-1574 | 11. Selim II سليم ثانى 1566-1574 | 11. Selim II سليم ثانى 1566-1574 | | | | | | | Afîfe Nûr-Banû Vâlide Sultân | Afîfe Nûr-Banû Vâlide Sultân | Afîfe Nûr-Banû Vâlide Sultân | Afîfe Nûr-Banû Vâlide Sultân | Afîfe Nûr-Banû Vâlide Sultân | Afîfe Nûr-Banû Vâlide Sultân |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 12. Murad III مراد ثالث 1574-1595 | 12. Murad III مراد ثالث 1574-1595 | 12. Murad III مراد ثالث 1574-1595 | 12. Murad III مراد ثالث 1574-1595 | 12. Murad III مراد ثالث 1574-1595 | 12. Murad III مراد ثالث 1574-1595 | | | | | | | Sâfiye Vâlide Sultân | Sâfiye Vâlide Sultân | Sâfiye Vâlide Sultân | Sâfiye Vâlide Sultân | Sâfiye Vâlide Sultân | Sâfiye Vâlide Sultân |
| | | | | | | Handan Vâlide Sultân | Handan Vâlide Sultân | Handan Vâlide Sultân | Handan Vâlide Sultân | Handan Vâlide Sultân | Handan Vâlide Sultân | | | | | 13. Mehmed III محمد ثالث 1595-1603 | 13. Mehmed III محمد ثالث 1595-1603 | 13. Mehmed III محمد ثالث 1595-1603 | 13. Mehmed III محمد ثالث 1595-1603 | 13. Mehmed III محمد ثالث 1595-1603 | 13. Mehmed III محمد ثالث 1595-1603 | | | | | | | Hâlime / Fûl-Dâne Vâlide Sultân | Hâlime / Fûl-Dâne Vâlide Sultân | Hâlime / Fûl-Dâne Vâlide Sultân | Hâlime / Fûl-Dâne Vâlide Sultân | Hâlime / Fûl-Dâne Vâlide Sultân | Hâlime / Fûl-Dâne Vâlide Sultân |
| | | | | | | Mâhirûze Hadice Vâlide Sultân ماہ فروز خاتون | Mâhirûze Hadice Vâlide Sultân ماہ فروز خاتون | Mâhirûze Hadice Vâlide Sultân ماہ فروز خاتون | Mâhirûze Hadice Vâlide Sultân ماہ فروز خاتون | Mâhirûze Hadice Vâlide Sultân ماہ فروز خاتون | Mâhirûze Hadice Vâlide Sultân ماہ فروز خاتون | | | | | 14. Ahmed I احمد اول 1603-1617 | 14. Ahmed I احمد اول 1603-1617 | 14. Ahmed I احمد اول 1603-1617 | 14. Ahmed I احمد اول 1603-1617 | 14. Ahmed I احمد اول 1603-1617 | 14. Ahmed I احمد اول 1603-1617 | | | | | | | Mâh-Peyker Kösem Vâlide Sultân كوسم سلطان | Mâh-Peyker Kösem Vâlide Sultân كوسم سلطان | Mâh-Peyker Kösem Vâlide Sultân كوسم سلطان | Mâh-Peyker Kösem Vâlide Sultân كوسم سلطان | Mâh-Peyker Kösem Vâlide Sultân كوسم سلطان | Mâh-Peyker Kösem Vâlide Sultân كوسم سلطان | | | | | | | | | | | 15. Mustafa I مصطفى اول 1617-1618 1622-1623 | 15. Mustafa I مصطفى اول 1617-1618 1622-1623 | 15. Mustafa I مصطفى اول 1617-1618 1622-1623 | 15. Mustafa I مصطفى اول 1617-1618 1622-1623 | 15. Mustafa I مصطفى اول 1617-1618 1622-1623 | 15. Mustafa I مصطفى اول 1617-1618 1622-1623 |
| | | | | | | 16. Osman II عثمان ثانى 1618-1622 | 16. Osman II عثمان ثانى 1618-1622 | 16. Osman II عثمان ثانى 1618-1622 | 16. Osman II عثمان ثانى 1618-1622 | 16. Osman II عثمان ثانى 1618-1622 | 16. Osman II عثمان ثانى 1618-1622 | | | | | 17. Murad IV مراد رابع 1623-1640 | 17. Murad IV مراد رابع 1623-1640 | 17. Murad IV مراد رابع 1623-1640 | 17. Murad IV مراد رابع 1623-1640 | 17. Murad IV مراد رابع 1623-1640 | 17. Murad IV مراد رابع 1623-1640 | | | | | | | Turhan Hatice Vâlide Sultân تورخان سلطان‎ | Turhan Hatice Vâlide Sultân تورخان سلطان‎ | Turhan Hatice Vâlide Sultân تورخان سلطان‎ | Turhan Hatice Vâlide Sultân تورخان سلطان‎ | Turhan Hatice Vâlide Sultân تورخان سلطان‎ | Turhan Hatice Vâlide Sultân تورخان سلطان‎ | | | 18. Ibrahim ابراهيم اول 1640-1648 | 18. Ibrahim ابراهيم اول 1640-1648 | 18. Ibrahim ابراهيم اول 1640-1648 | 18. Ibrahim ابراهيم اول 1640-1648 | 18. Ibrahim ابراهيم اول 1640-1648 | 18. Ibrahim ابراهيم اول 1640-1648 | | | Sâliha Dil-Âşûb Vâlide Sultân صالحه دل اشوب سلطان | Sâliha Dil-Âşûb Vâlide Sultân صالحه دل اشوب سلطان | Sâliha Dil-Âşûb Vâlide Sultân صالحه دل اشوب سلطان | Sâliha Dil-Âşûb Vâlide Sultân صالحه دل اشوب سلطان | Sâliha Dil-Âşûb Vâlide Sultân صالحه دل اشوب سلطان | Sâliha Dil-Âşûb Vâlide Sultân صالحه دل اشوب سلطان | | | Hatice Mû'azzez Second Haseki Sultân معزز سلطان | Hatice Mû'azzez Second Haseki Sultân معزز سلطان | Hatice Mû'azzez Second Haseki Sultân معزز سلطان | Hatice Mû'azzez Second Haseki Sultân معزز سلطان | Hatice Mû'azzez Second Haseki Sultân معزز سلطان | Hatice Mû'azzez Second Haseki Sultân معزز سلطان |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Meh-Pâre Ummetullah (Emetullah) Râbi'a Gül-Nûş Vâlide Sultân رابعه کلنوش سلطان‎ | Meh-Pâre Ummetullah (Emetullah) Râbi'a Gül-Nûş Vâlide Sultân رابعه کلنوش سلطان‎ | Meh-Pâre Ummetullah (Emetullah) Râbi'a Gül-Nûş Vâlide Sultân رابعه کلنوش سلطان‎ | Meh-Pâre Ummetullah (Emetullah) Râbi'a Gül-Nûş Vâlide Sultân رابعه کلنوش سلطان‎ | Meh-Pâre Ummetullah (Emetullah) Râbi'a Gül-Nûş Vâlide Sultân رابعه کلنوش سلطان‎ | Meh-Pâre Ummetullah (Emetullah) Râbi'a Gül-Nûş Vâlide Sultân رابعه کلنوش سلطان‎ | | | 19. Mehmed IV محمد رابع 1648-1687 Vak'a-i Vakvakiye: 26 February 1656 | 19. Mehmed IV محمد رابع 1648-1687 Vak'a-i Vakvakiye: 26 February 1656 | 19. Mehmed IV محمد رابع 1648-1687 Vak'a-i Vakvakiye: 26 February 1656 | 19. Mehmed IV محمد رابع 1648-1687 Vak'a-i Vakvakiye: 26 February 1656 | 19. Mehmed IV محمد رابع 1648-1687 Vak'a-i Vakvakiye: 26 February 1656 | 19. Mehmed IV محمد رابع 1648-1687 Vak'a-i Vakvakiye: 26 February 1656 | | | 20. Suleiman II سليمان ثانى 1687-1691 | 20. Suleiman II سليمان ثانى 1687-1691 | 20. Suleiman II سليمان ثانى 1687-1691 | 20. Suleiman II سليمان ثانى 1687-1691 | 20. Suleiman II سليمان ثانى 1687-1691 | 20. Suleiman II سليمان ثانى 1687-1691 | | | 21. Ahmed II احمد ثانى 1691-1695 | 21. Ahmed II احمد ثانى 1691-1695 | 21. Ahmed II احمد ثانى 1691-1695 | 21. Ahmed II احمد ثانى 1691-1695 | 21. Ahmed II احمد ثانى 1691-1695 | 21. Ahmed II احمد ثانى 1691-1695 |
| Sâliha Sebkat-î Vâlide Sultân صالحه سلطان | Sâliha Sebkat-î Vâlide Sultân صالحه سلطان | Sâliha Sebkat-î Vâlide Sultân صالحه سلطان | Sâliha Sebkat-î Vâlide Sultân صالحه سلطان | Sâliha Sebkat-î Vâlide Sultân صالحه سلطان | Sâliha Sebkat-î Vâlide Sultân صالحه سلطان | | | 22. Mustafa II مصطفى ثانى 1695-1703 Edirne Vak'ası: 15 July 1703 - 22 August 1703 | 22. Mustafa II مصطفى ثانى 1695-1703 Edirne Vak'ası: 15 July 1703 - 22 August 1703 | 22. Mustafa II مصطفى ثانى 1695-1703 Edirne Vak'ası: 15 July 1703 - 22 August 1703 | 22. Mustafa II مصطفى ثانى 1695-1703 Edirne Vak'ası: 15 July 1703 - 22 August 1703 | 22. Mustafa II مصطفى ثانى 1695-1703 Edirne Vak'ası: 15 July 1703 - 22 August 1703 | 22. Mustafa II مصطفى ثانى 1695-1703 Edirne Vak'ası: 15 July 1703 - 22 August 1703 | Şâh-Süvar Vâlide Sultân شھسوار سلطان | Şâh-Süvar Vâlide Sultân شھسوار سلطان | Şâh-Süvar Vâlide Sultân شھسوار سلطان | Şâh-Süvar Vâlide Sultân شھسوار سلطان | Şâh-Süvar Vâlide Sultân شھسوار سلطان | Şâh-Süvar Vâlide Sultân شھسوار سلطان | | | | | Emine Mihr-î-Şâh Second Kadın Efendi امینه مھرشاہ قادین | Emine Mihr-î-Şâh Second Kadın Efendi امینه مھرشاہ قادین | Emine Mihr-î-Şâh Second Kadın Efendi امینه مھرشاہ قادین | Emine Mihr-î-Şâh Second Kadın Efendi امینه مھرشاہ قادین | Emine Mihr-î-Şâh Second Kadın Efendi امینه مھرشاہ قادین | Emine Mihr-î-Şâh Second Kadın Efendi امینه مھرشاہ قادین | | | | | | | | | | | 23. Ahmed III احمد ثالث 1703-1730 Patrona Halil Rebellion: 28 September 1730 | 23. Ahmed III احمد ثالث 1703-1730 Patrona Halil Rebellion: 28 September 1730 | 23. Ahmed III احمد ثالث 1703-1730 Patrona Halil Rebellion: 28 September 1730 | 23. Ahmed III احمد ثالث 1703-1730 Patrona Halil Rebellion: 28 September 1730 | 23. Ahmed III احمد ثالث 1703-1730 Patrona Halil Rebellion: 28 September 1730 | 23. Ahmed III احمد ثالث 1703-1730 Patrona Halil Rebellion: 28 September 1730 | | | | | | | | | | | Râbi'a Şerm-î Kadın Efendi رابعہ شرمی قادین | Râbi'a Şerm-î Kadın Efendi رابعہ شرمی قادین | Râbi'a Şerm-î Kadın Efendi رابعہ شرمی قادین | Râbi'a Şerm-î Kadın Efendi رابعہ شرمی قادین | Râbi'a Şerm-î Kadın Efendi رابعہ شرمی قادین | Râbi'a Şerm-î Kadın Efendi رابعہ شرمی قادین |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 24. Mahmud I محمود اول 1730-1754 | 24. Mahmud I محمود اول 1730-1754 | 24. Mahmud I محمود اول 1730-1754 | 24. Mahmud I محمود اول 1730-1754 | 24. Mahmud I محمود اول 1730-1754 | 24. Mahmud I محمود اول 1730-1754 | 25. Osman III عثمان ثالث 1754-1757 | 25. Osman III عثمان ثالث 1754-1757 | 25. Osman III عثمان ثالث 1754-1757 | 25. Osman III عثمان ثالث 1754-1757 | 25. Osman III عثمان ثالث 1754-1757 | 25. Osman III عثمان ثالث 1754-1757 | | | | | | | Mihr-î-Şâh Vâlide Sultân مھرشاہ سلطان | Mihr-î-Şâh Vâlide Sultân مھرشاہ سلطان | Mihr-î-Şâh Vâlide Sultân مھرشاہ سلطان | Mihr-î-Şâh Vâlide Sultân مھرشاہ سلطان | Mihr-î-Şâh Vâlide Sultân مھرشاہ سلطان | Mihr-î-Şâh Vâlide Sultân مھرشاہ سلطان | | | 26. Mustafa III مصطفى ثالث 1757-1774 | 26. Mustafa III مصطفى ثالث 1757-1774 | 26. Mustafa III مصطفى ثالث 1757-1774 | 26. Mustafa III مصطفى ثالث 1757-1774 | 26. Mustafa III مصطفى ثالث 1757-1774 | 26. Mustafa III مصطفى ثالث 1757-1774 | | | Ayşe Sine-Pervar (Seniyeperver) Vâlide Sultân عایشه سینه پرور سلطان | Ayşe Sine-Pervar (Seniyeperver) Vâlide Sultân عایشه سینه پرور سلطان | Ayşe Sine-Pervar (Seniyeperver) Vâlide Sultân عایشه سینه پرور سلطان | Ayşe Sine-Pervar (Seniyeperver) Vâlide Sultân عایشه سینه پرور سلطان | Ayşe Sine-Pervar (Seniyeperver) Vâlide Sultân عایشه سینه پرور سلطان | Ayşe Sine-Pervar (Seniyeperver) Vâlide Sultân عایشه سینه پرور سلطان | | | 27. Abdul Hamid I عبد الحميد اول 1774-1789 | 27. Abdul Hamid I عبد الحميد اول 1774-1789 | 27. Abdul Hamid I عبد الحميد اول 1774-1789 | 27. Abdul Hamid I عبد الحميد اول 1774-1789 | 27. Abdul Hamid I عبد الحميد اول 1774-1789 | 27. Abdul Hamid I عبد الحميد اول 1774-1789 | Nakş-î-Dil Vâlide Sultân نقش دل سلطان | Nakş-î-Dil Vâlide Sultân نقش دل سلطان | Nakş-î-Dil Vâlide Sultân نقش دل سلطان | Nakş-î-Dil Vâlide Sultân نقش دل سلطان | Nakş-î-Dil Vâlide Sultân نقش دل سلطان | Nakş-î-Dil Vâlide Sultân نقش دل سلطان |
| | | | | 28. Selim III سليم ثالث 1789-1807 Kabakçı Mustafa İsyanı: 25 May 1807 | 28. Selim III سليم ثالث 1789-1807 Kabakçı Mustafa İsyanı: 25 May 1807 | 28. Selim III سليم ثالث 1789-1807 Kabakçı Mustafa İsyanı: 25 May 1807 | 28. Selim III سليم ثالث 1789-1807 Kabakçı Mustafa İsyanı: 25 May 1807 | 28. Selim III سليم ثالث 1789-1807 Kabakçı Mustafa İsyanı: 25 May 1807 | 28. Selim III سليم ثالث 1789-1807 Kabakçı Mustafa İsyanı: 25 May 1807 | | | | | 29. Mustafa IV مصطفى رابع 1807-1808 | 29. Mustafa IV مصطفى رابع 1807-1808 | 29. Mustafa IV مصطفى رابع 1807-1808 | 29. Mustafa IV مصطفى رابع 1807-1808 | 29. Mustafa IV مصطفى رابع 1807-1808 | 29. Mustafa IV مصطفى رابع 1807-1808 | | | | | | | | | Bezm-î Âlem Vâlide Sultân | Bezm-î Âlem Vâlide Sultân | Bezm-î Âlem Vâlide Sultân | Bezm-î Âlem Vâlide Sultân | Bezm-î Âlem Vâlide Sultân | Bezm-î Âlem Vâlide Sultân | | | | | | | 30. Mahmud II محمود ثانى 1808-1839 Vak'a-i Hayriye: 16 June 1826 | 30. Mahmud II محمود ثانى 1808-1839 Vak'a-i Hayriye: 16 June 1826 | 30. Mahmud II محمود ثانى 1808-1839 Vak'a-i Hayriye: 16 June 1826 | 30. Mahmud II محمود ثانى 1808-1839 Vak'a-i Hayriye: 16 June 1826 | 30. Mahmud II محمود ثانى 1808-1839 Vak'a-i Hayriye: 16 June 1826 | 30. Mahmud II محمود ثانى 1808-1839 Vak'a-i Hayriye: 16 June 1826 | | | | | | | Pertav-Nihâl (Pertevniyâl) Vâlide Sultân | Pertav-Nihâl (Pertevniyâl) Vâlide Sultân | Pertav-Nihâl (Pertevniyâl) Vâlide Sultân | Pertav-Nihâl (Pertevniyâl) Vâlide Sultân | Pertav-Nihâl (Pertevniyâl) Vâlide Sultân | Pertav-Nihâl (Pertevniyâl) Vâlide Sultân |
| Şevk-Efzâ Vâlide Sultân | Şevk-Efzâ Vâlide Sultân | Şevk-Efzâ Vâlide Sultân | Şevk-Efzâ Vâlide Sultân | Şevk-Efzâ Vâlide Sultân | Şevk-Efzâ Vâlide Sultân | | | Tîr-î-Müjgan Third Kadın Efendi (Own mother) & Rahîme Pîristû Vâlide Sultân (Adoptive mother) | Tîr-î-Müjgan Third Kadın Efendi (Own mother) & Rahîme Pîristû Vâlide Sultân (Adoptive mother) | Tîr-î-Müjgan Third Kadın Efendi (Own mother) & Rahîme Pîristû Vâlide Sultân (Adoptive mother) | Tîr-î-Müjgan Third Kadın Efendi (Own mother) & Rahîme Pîristû Vâlide Sultân (Adoptive mother) | Tîr-î-Müjgan Third Kadın Efendi (Own mother) & Rahîme Pîristû Vâlide Sultân (Adoptive mother) | Tîr-î-Müjgan Third Kadın Efendi (Own mother) & Rahîme Pîristû Vâlide Sultân (Adoptive mother) | 31. Abdulmejid I عبد المجيد اول 1839-1861 | 31. Abdulmejid I عبد المجيد اول 1839-1861 | 31. Abdulmejid I عبد المجيد اول 1839-1861 | 31. Abdulmejid I عبد المجيد اول 1839-1861 | 31. Abdulmejid I عبد المجيد اول 1839-1861 | 31. Abdulmejid I عبد المجيد اول 1839-1861 | | | Gül-Cemâl Fourth Kadın Efendi | Gül-Cemâl Fourth Kadın Efendi | Gül-Cemâl Fourth Kadın Efendi | Gül-Cemâl Fourth Kadın Efendi | Gül-Cemâl Fourth Kadın Efendi | Gül-Cemâl Fourth Kadın Efendi | | | Gül-İstü (Gülistan Münire) Forrth Kadın Efendi | Gül-İstü (Gülistan Münire) Forrth Kadın Efendi | Gül-İstü (Gülistan Münire) Forrth Kadın Efendi | Gül-İstü (Gülistan Münire) Forrth Kadın Efendi | Gül-İstü (Gülistan Münire) Forrth Kadın Efendi | Gül-İstü (Gülistan Münire) Forrth Kadın Efendi | | | | | | | | | | | 32. Abdulaziz عبد العزيز 1861-1876 | 32. Abdulaziz عبد العزيز 1861-1876 | 32. Abdulaziz عبد العزيز 1861-1876 | 32. Abdulaziz عبد العزيز 1861-1876 | 32. Abdulaziz عبد العزيز 1861-1876 | 32. Abdulaziz عبد العزيز 1861-1876 | | | Hayrân-î-Dil Kadın Efendi | Hayrân-î-Dil Kadın Efendi | Hayrân-î-Dil Kadın Efendi | Hayrân-î-Dil Kadın Efendi | Hayrân-î-Dil Kadın Efendi | Hayrân-î-Dil Kadın Efendi | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 33. Murad V مراد خامس 1876 | 33. Murad V مراد خامس 1876 | 33. Murad V مراد خامس 1876 | 33. Murad V مراد خامس 1876 | 33. Murad V مراد خامس 1876 | 33. Murad V مراد خامس 1876 | 34. Abdul Hamid II عبد الحميد ثانی 31 August 1876 - 27 Nisan 1909 First Meşrûtiyyet: 23 November 1876 - 13 February 1878 Second Meşrûtiyyet: 3 July 1908 31 March Vak'ası: 13 April 1909 | 34. Abdul Hamid II عبد الحميد ثانی 31 August 1876 - 27 Nisan 1909 First Meşrûtiyyet: 23 November 1876 - 13 February 1878 Second Meşrûtiyyet: 3 July 1908 31 March Vak'ası: 13 April 1909 | 34. Abdul Hamid II عبد الحميد ثانی 31 August 1876 - 27 Nisan 1909 First Meşrûtiyyet: 23 November 1876 - 13 February 1878 Second Meşrûtiyyet: 3 July 1908 31 March Vak'ası: 13 April 1909 | 34. Abdul Hamid II عبد الحميد ثانی 31 August 1876 - 27 Nisan 1909 First Meşrûtiyyet: 23 November 1876 - 13 February 1878 Second Meşrûtiyyet: 3 July 1908 31 March Vak'ası: 13 April 1909 | 34. Abdul Hamid II عبد الحميد ثانی 31 August 1876 - 27 Nisan 1909 First Meşrûtiyyet: 23 November 1876 - 13 February 1878 Second Meşrûtiyyet: 3 July 1908 31 March Vak'ası: 13 April 1909 | 34. Abdul Hamid II عبد الحميد ثانی 31 August 1876 - 27 Nisan 1909 First Meşrûtiyyet: 23 November 1876 - 13 February 1878 Second Meşrûtiyyet: 3 July 1908 31 March Vak'ası: 13 April 1909 | | | 35. Mehmed V محمد خامس 1909-1918 Çanakkale Savaşı: 18 March 1915 | 35. Mehmed V محمد خامس 1909-1918 Çanakkale Savaşı: 18 March 1915 | 35. Mehmed V محمد خامس 1909-1918 Çanakkale Savaşı: 18 March 1915 | 35. Mehmed V محمد خامس 1909-1918 Çanakkale Savaşı: 18 March 1915 | 35. Mehmed V محمد خامس 1909-1918 Çanakkale Savaşı: 18 March 1915 | 35. Mehmed V محمد خامس 1909-1918 Çanakkale Savaşı: 18 March 1915 | | | 36. Mehmed VI محمد سادس 4 July 1918 - 18 November 1922 Moudros armistice: 30 October 1918 Istanbul's Occupation: 13 November 1918 Treaty of Sèvres: 10 August 1920 Abolition of the Ottoman Sultanate: 1 November 1922 | 36. Mehmed VI محمد سادس 4 July 1918 - 18 November 1922 Moudros armistice: 30 October 1918 Istanbul's Occupation: 13 November 1918 Treaty of Sèvres: 10 August 1920 Abolition of the Ottoman Sultanate: 1 November 1922 | 36. Mehmed VI محمد سادس 4 July 1918 - 18 November 1922 Moudros armistice: 30 October 1918 Istanbul's Occupation: 13 November 1918 Treaty of Sèvres: 10 August 1920 Abolition of the Ottoman Sultanate: 1 November 1922 | 36. Mehmed VI محمد سادس 4 July 1918 - 18 November 1922 Moudros armistice: 30 October 1918 Istanbul's Occupation: 13 November 1918 Treaty of Sèvres: 10 August 1920 Abolition of the Ottoman Sultanate: 1 November 1922 | 36. Mehmed VI محمد سادس 4 July 1918 - 18 November 1922 Moudros armistice: 30 October 1918 Istanbul's Occupation: 13 November 1918 Treaty of Sèvres: 10 August 1920 Abolition of the Ottoman Sultanate: 1 November 1922 | 36. Mehmed VI محمد سادس 4 July 1918 - 18 November 1922 Moudros armistice: 30 October 1918 Istanbul's Occupation: 13 November 1918 Treaty of Sèvres: 10 August 1920 Abolition of the Ottoman Sultanate: 1 November 1922 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Abdulmejid II عبد المجيد الثانى 18 November 1922 - Caliphate's Abolition: 3 March 1924 | Abdulmejid II عبد المجيد الثانى 18 November 1922 - Caliphate's Abolition: 3 March 1924 | Abdulmejid II عبد المجيد الثانى 18 November 1922 - Caliphate's Abolition: 3 March 1924 | Abdulmejid II عبد المجيد الثانى 18 November 1922 - Caliphate's Abolition: 3 March 1924 | Abdulmejid II عبد المجيد الثانى 18 November 1922 - Caliphate's Abolition: 3 March 1924 | Abdulmejid II عبد المجيد الثانى 18 November 1922 - Caliphate's Abolition: 3 March 1924 |

## List of heirs since 1922

The Ottoman dynasty was expelled from Turkey in 1924 and most members took on the surname Osmanoğlu, meaning "son of Osman." The female members of the dynasty were allowed to return after 1951, and the male members after 1973. Below is a list of people who would have been heirs to the Ottoman throne following the abolition of the sultanate on 1 November 1922. These people have not necessarily made any claim to the throne; for example, Ertuğrul Osman said "Democracy works well in Turkey."
| Name | Title | Relationship to predecessor and Sultan | Head of the House of Osman | Duration as Head of the House of Osman |
| Mehmed VI | Last Ottoman Sultan and Caliph (1918–1922) 36th Head of the House of Osman (1922–1926) | Son of Sultan Abdulmejid I, grandson of Sultan Mahmud II, younger brother of Murad V, Abdul Hamid II and Mehmed V. | 1 November 1922 – 16 May 1926 | 3 years, 196 days |
| Abdulmejid II | Last Ottoman Caliph (1922–1924) 37th Head of the House of Osman following Mehmed VI's death (1926–1944) | First cousin of Mehmed VI, son of Sultan Abdülaziz. | 16 May 1926 – 23 August 1944 | 18 years, 99 days |
| Ahmed Nihad | 38th Head of the House of Osman (1944–1954) | First cousin twice removed of Abdulmejid II, grandson of Sultan Murad V. | 23 August 1944 – 4 June 1954 | 9 years, 285 days |
| Osman Fuad | 39th Head of the House of Osman (1954–1973) | Younger half-brother of Ahmed Nihad, grandson of Sultan Murad V. | 4 June 1954 – 19 May 1973 | 18 years, 349 days |
| Mehmed Abdulaziz | 40th Head of the House of Osman (1973–1977) | Second cousin twice removed of Osman Fuad, grandson of Sultan Abdülaziz. | 19 May 1973 – 19 January 1977 | 3 years, 245 days |
| Ali Vâsib | 41st Head of the House of Osman (1977–1983) | Second cousin twice removed of Mehmed Abdulaziz, great-grandson of Sultan Murad V. | 19 January 1977 – 9 December 1983 | 6 years, 324 days |
| Mehmed Orhan | 42nd Head of the House of Osman (1983–1994) | Second cousin once removed of Ali Vâsib, grandson of Sultan Abdul Hamid II. | 9 December 1983 – 12 March 1994 | 10 years, 93 days |
| Ertuğrul Osman | 43rd Head of the House of Osman (1994–2009) | First cousin of Mehmed Orhan, grandson of Sultan Abdul Hamid II. | 12 March 1994 – 23 September 2009 | 15 years, 195 days |
| Bayezid Osman | 44th Head of the House of Osman (2009–2017) | Second cousin of Ertuğrul Osman, great-grandson of Sultan Mehmed V. | 23 September 2009 – 6 January 2017 | 7 years, 105 days |
| Dündar Ali Osman | 45th Head of the House of Osman (2017–2021) | Second cousin once removed of Bayezid Osman, great-grandson of Sultan Abdul Hamid II. | 6 January 2017 – 18 January 2021 | 4 years, 12 days |
| Harun Osman | 46th Head of the House of Osman (2021–present) | Younger brother of Dündar Ali Osman, great-grandson of Sultan Abdul Hamid II. | 18 January 2021–present | 4 years, 32 days |

### Family tree, showing relationships among the heads of the Ottoman dynasty since 1922

* Mahmud II (1785–1839; 30th Sultan and 23rd Ottoman Caliph: 1808–1839)
** Abdulmejid I (1823–1861; 31st Sultan and 24th Ottoman Caliph: 1839–1861)
*** Murad V (1840–1904; 33rd Sultan and 26th Ottoman Caliph: 1876)
**** Şehzade Mehmed Selaheddin (1861–1915)
***** Ahmed Nihad (1883–1954; 38th Head of the House of Osman: 1944–1954)
****** Ali Vâsib (1903–1983; 41st Head of the House of Osman: 1977–1983)
***** Osman Fuad (1895–1973; 39th Head of the House of Osman: 1954–1973)
*** Abdul Hamid II (1842–1918; 34th Sultan and 27th Ottoman Caliph: 1876–1909)
**** Şehzade Mehmed Selim (1870–1937)
***** Şehzade Mehmed Abdülkerim (1906–1935)
****** Dündar Ali Osman (1930–2021): 45th Head of the House of Osman: 2017–2021)
****** Harun Osman (born 1932): 46th Head of the House of Osman: (2021–present)
**** Şehzade Mehmed Abdülkadir (1878–1944)
***** Mehmed Orhan (1909–1994; 42nd Head of the House of Osman: 1983–1994)
**** Şehzade Mehmed Burhaneddin (1885–1949)
***** Ertuğrul Osman (1912–2009; 43rd Head of the House of Osman: 1994–2009)
*** Mehmed V (1844–1918; 35th Sultan and 28th Ottoman Caliph: 1909–1918)
*** Şehzade Mehmed Burhaneddin (1849–1876)
**** Şehzade Ibrahim Tevfik (1874–1931)
***** Bayezid Osman (1924–2017; 44th Head of the House of Osman: 2009–2017)
*** Mehmed VI Vahideddin (1861–1926; 36th and last Sultan and 29th Ottoman Caliph: 1918–1922; 36th Head of the House of Osman: 1922–1926)
** Abdulaziz (1830–1876; 32nd Sultan and 25th Ottoman Caliph: 1861–1876)
*** Abdulmejid II (1868–1944; 30th and last Ottoman Caliph: 1922–1924; 37th Head of the House of Osman: 1926–1944)
*** Şehzade Mehmed Seyfeddin (1874–1927)
**** Mehmed Abdulaziz (1901–1977; 40th Head of the House of Osman: 1973–1977)