Murad I

**Murad I** (Modern Yoman: مراد اول; I. Murad: 1242 – 20 July 1293) was the fourth bey of the Yoman Beylik from 1278 to 1293. He was the son of Işa I and Gülmah Hatun. Murad I came into the throne after his elder brother Orhan Bey's death. He is known as **Murad the Bad** (Kötü Murad) or **Murad the Murderer** (Katil Murad), while others nickname him **Murad the Terrible** (Korkunç Murad) due to his inconsistency as a sovereign.

## Early life

He was born in 1242. The identity of his mother is unknown, according to legend his mother was still alive when Melek was assigned to a province. It is said that from an early age he had a good relationship with his brother Murad. The two were sent in the same year, 1260 to their province. Murad to Katmir and Melek to Katip. Melek left together with his mother and his Lala, Hadim Şemşah Ağa.

During his time as Sanjakbey of Katmir in 1272, when his brother Devlet Bey organized a rebellion against, his father Murad together with his brother Abdüllah appeased it.

## Ascension to the throne

In 1278 Işa I died. The news reached Murad who promptly reached the capital to ascend the throne. Once he arrived he settled in the Türfeş Palace ordering the execution of his brothers, however he managed to complete the killing of Abdüllah, Şem, Süleyman, Orhan, Hüveys and Ishak.

However, he was unable to complete the execution of his brothers Mahmud and Mehmed who escaped with their court from execution. Once Murad's men arrived at the palace of Bilçikek found Mehmed Bey's mother, Hürrem Hatun who was unable to escape and was taken and arrested by Murad who, wanting to know where Mehmed was, tortured her until killing her with his own hands.

Murad's harem together with his mother, Gülmah Hatun settled in the Türfeş Palace on 3 October 1278.

## Titles

When Murad ascended the throne, he proclaimed himself *Shahanshah* (king or the kings) of the yomans being the first Yoman Sultan to use this title, Bey-i a'za (Great Bey), *Bey-i' Bakvaär* (Bey of Bakvaär), *Beylerbeylerbeyi* (Bey of Beylerbey), these titles officially designated Murad as absolute ruler.

In Croysian sources he is named as "*dominus bulla*", "*princeps principum*" or "*rex regum*".

### Reign

Murad's reign is divided into two periods, the first ranging from his accession in 1278 lasting 6 years until 1285 when Gülmah Hatun was executed and the second from the execution until Murad's death in July 1293. While the first is described as calm but due to Murad's indifference towards political affairs he is described as unstable being Murad called as a "Terrible" ruler, the second is described as tumultuous being full of treachery, executions, lost wars and political instability.

### First Period (1278-1285)

When Murad ascended the throne he did not show much interest in political affairs. He established in 1280 the Divan, a council composed of the Grand Vizier and a series of minor viziers and the Beylerbey. He retired later the same year to Yşrin Palace to private life, completely neglecting the administration of the government, delegating any of his authority to the Grand Vizier Bayezid Davud Pasha.

Murad not only left the government and administration but also his harem at the Türfeş Palace, leaving power to his mother Gülmah Hatun. Gülmah in fact took the opportunity to increase his power not only in the harem but also in political affairs. Gülmah in fact allied herself with the husbands of the other daughters of Işa, Tupal Pasha the Bey of the Eskisanjak (before Agha of the Janissaries), the husband of Fahkriye Hatun and Mahmud Agha who was Agha of the Janissaries and was married to Hundi Melek Hatun.

Gülmah was aware of the discontent of the people and the Janissaries due to the fact that wars were being organized and tried to ally himself with the latter by marrying two of the imperial princesses to the Aghas of the Janissaries. so as to keep the Janissaries calm to avoid their rebellion as he tried to convince the Grand Vizier Bayezid Davud Pasha to organize a war.

Murad who was unfavorable to organizing a war once he learned that Bayezid Pasha was about to organize a war deposed him and appointed Siribbı Pasha.

Murad after the deposition of Bayezid Davud Pasha in 1283 took up temporary residence (or so he thought) in the Türfeş Palace. Murad noted the influence of his mother who tried to advise him numerous times especially on who to appoint Grand Vizier and tried to limit it first by exiling her to Eskisanjak in an estate of her property. This attempt, however, did not work since Gülmah was in close contact with one of his great allies who had his place in the Divan and had a lot of influence. When Murad realized he wrote to his mother to stop. Gülmah however did not stop and Murad ordered his execution as this was the first document signed by Murad after his accession to the throne.

### Second Period (1285-1293)

After Gülmah Murad's execution he settled permanently at Türfeş Palace. He then nominated the execution of Bayezid Davud Pasha for treason. Murad probably discovered that Gülmah and Bayezid Davud Pasha had some sort of alliance and, wanting to eradicate any trace of Gülmah's power, executed him. In fact the same year Fahkriye's husband was deposed as Bey of Eskisanjak and in his place he was appointed his son Şehzade Korkut.

Murad began to act as the true Absolute Ruler, presiding over all the sessions of the Divan and taking away much of the power he had given to the Grand Vizier. He initially appointed Karazzali Murad Pasha, however he lasted only 3 months and was deposed because he was considered unskilled, later he appointed his sister's husband, Kasim Pasha.

#### War of Mimar (1287-1289)

Murad understood that the best thing for the empire was to organize a war. He declared war on one of the free tribes called Mimar. The battles took place within the borders of the empire, however neither side managed to actually win. The Mimar tribe allied themselves with other free tribes, forming a real army which was difficult for the Yoman empire to defeat.

During the war, Murad's son Şehzade Ümulaziz, died due to an overdose of opium or other substances in one of the tents of the camp. Once Murad learned of his son's death he decided to end the war by signing a peace treaty, called the Açukşu Antlaşması (Treaty of Açukşu) in honor of his son.

#### Fire of 1289

In 1290 there was a fire that devastated the capital. It was the first fire of such magnitude since the founding of the empire. The fire destroyed the districts of Garbilı, Buçikti and the historic district of Palimus, founded 3000 years ago by Emperor Maeteor.

Murad blamed this on the vizier Kasim Pasha and his followers by executing them. Murad also freed the Barbilikli neighborhood from moon cult believers by driving them out of the capital and repopulating the district with the population who had lost their homes in the fire.

#### War of Mimar aftermath

The Treaty of Açukşu in (1288/1289) which caused many provinces to rebel against Murad and declare war. The province they were that of Koçi, Eskisanjak, Çaışık, Harmoçuk, Roşlik and border provinces such as: Küturma, Armina and Rimanı (which was suppressed by Şehzade Ahmed and Kasım), Şirinşah and Mürmidan.

These malcontents led to the Korkut rebellion and the return of Murad's brothers: Mehmed Bey and Mahmud Bey who fled in 1278 when Murad ascended the throne.

## Rebellion of Şehzade Korkut (1291)

Murad's son, Şehzade Korkut had been appointed Sanjakbey of Eskisanjak in 1285 after Tupal Pasha was deposed from office by Murad. During the rebellions caused by the Treaty of Açukşu Korkut decided to take advantage of the moment to rebel against his father, in fact he supported not only his province but also all the other rebel provinces including those that did not sympathize with Murad and his government.

In those years there was already political tension caused by the return of Mehmed Bey and Mahmud Bey. His rebellion caused further instabilities that Murad could not afford at the time. After Korkut's army was defeated at Karazza Murad didn't think twice and ordered his execution.

## War of Redsons (1292-1293)

Mahmud and Mehmed returned to the borders of the empire after Murad signed the Treaty of Açukşu. They gathered together with some provinces (the coastal ones and that of Çaışık) which offered their army and their economic help. Once they entered the borders of the empire they settled in Furdanı north of the province of Küturma. When Murad learned of their return he wanted to reach them and execute them, however once he learned of their army he withdrew and asked his younger sister, Hiriban Hatun to act as an intermediary between the two, thus becoming the first female ambassador of the Yoman Empire.

However, diplomacy failed to calm the waters and forced first the sisters of the princes and then the empire to take sides. However, this increased disagreements and betrayals in the family, causing much instability and fear among Murad's court. When Murad discovered that his sister Fatma Hatun took sides with Mahmud and Mehmed he killed her, after that Hundi Melek Hatun decide to take sides of Mehmed and Mahmud. However, Murad's other sisters (Mihriali Fatma, Salça and Hatice) allied themselves with him, being a great economic and military help to Murad.

Murad declared war on Mahmud and Mehmed in 1291, claiming it had already been declared in 1278 when they escaped execution. War was inevitable and would therefore be declared shortly thereafter by one of the parties.

### Battle of Barsa

The war caused the empire to split into two, some by Murad and some by Mehmed and Mahmud. Murad had the majority having the Janissaries and most of the provinces on his side. Murad's army and that of Mehmed and Mahmud clashed at Barsa, however Murad did not present his entire army believing it was not necessary. The battle was won by Mehmed and Mahmud, in fact Murad's army, although in the majority, had a high rate of betrayal. Both the Janissaries (thanks to the help of Hundi Hatun) and the allied provinces helped the enemy army with resources, aid and reinforcements.

### Battle of the Red River

After the Battle of Barsa, Mehmed and Mahmud's army remained victorious but also devastated, forcing them to flee together with their army and their followers self-exiling in August of 1292. Murad gathered his army again and the next year he reached, without the Janissaries, Mehmed's army which was in Pomens in the Pomegranate plain. Mehmed's army was much smaller than Murad's and his fate was inescapable. Murad execute Mehmed's retinue, including his son Orhan. Murad ordered Mehmed and Orhan to be executed before his eyes.

In Murad he was joined by the Janissaries and together they reached Mahmud's army which was near the Nur river, called also Red River. Mahmud sent his son Abdülmecid Çelebi's army first, however Murad's army won and Abdülmecid was executed. Murad ordered Abdülmecid's body to be brought into the presence of Mahmud who was devastated and according to legend he wrote to a Janissary to kill Şehzade Mustafa, son of Murad. It is not known if it is true but the fact is that Mustafa died during the Battle of the Red River.

## Death and burial

During the Red River Battle Murad's and Mahmud's armies clashed along the banks of the river, Murad's army was still in the majority and doubled Mahmud's army. However, during the battle Murad was betrayed and killed by a Janissary who stabbed him in the chest with a dagger. While Murad was lying on the ground no one helped him and they left him to die. Once dead, his body was shown to his army and brought before Mahmud.

Once Mahmud ascended the throne he ordered his body buried in the mausoleum that Murad had built during his reign.

## Family

Murad had a great taste for sexual intercourse, however he had only sons and two known concubines. Bayezid Davud Pasha wrote that Murad loved his harem very much.

### Consort

* Gülbahar Hatun: mother of Şehzade Mustafa. She build the Şehzade Mustafa Türbesi in Katip Cemetery.
* Örah Hatun: she was a Arannian princess and legal wife of Murad. She was mother of Şehzade Ahmed.

### Sons

When Murad ascended the throne, he used the title of Şehzade (descendant of the "Shah") for his children once he proclaimed himself Shahanshah.

Bayezid Davud Pasha described Murad's elder sons as a representation of their father: Mustafa had his father's sense of justice and strategy, Korkut had his father's military skills and courage, Ahmed had his father's intelligence and quickness (in thinking), Ümulaziz had his father's delicate taste (referring to the taste for alcohol and sex) and Kasim had his father's beauty and kindness.

* Şehzade Mustafa (1261, Katmir - 1293) - with Gülbahar. Firstborn. Sanjakbey of Katip. He died during the Battle of the Red River, he was buried by his mother in Şehzade Mustafa Türbesi, Katip Cementery.
* Şehzade Orhan (1261, Katmir - ?) he died young.
* Şehzade Korkut (1261, Katmir -1291 buried in Işa Türbesi, Sultaniye Complex) He was much loved by his grandfather Işa who ordered before his death that he be buried together with him. He was sanjakbey firstly of Harmoçuk and then of Eskisanjak in 1285. He was executed by his father for treason.
* Şehzade Ahmed (1263, Katmir -1339) - with Örah. Sanjakbey of Rimanı. He escaped once Murad I lost and died in battle. He had a son, Abdüllah who in turn had a son called Mehmed, (future Mehmed I).
* Şehzade Selimşah (1266/1268, Katmir) he died young.
* Şehzade Ümülaziz (1267, Katmir - 1288/1289). Was Sanjakbey of Koçi from 1281. He died of an overdose during the war of Mimar. He had three important wives and eleven children, he is famous for his carefree life, often described as an alcoholic, lewd and of a libertine spirit. His known children are:
	+ Mahmud Çelebi (1282, Koçi - 1293): twin of Mihrişah. Executed by his uncle Mahmud Bey when he usurped the throne of Murad in 1293. He was named in honor of a friend of Ümulaziz, Mahmud Aĝa the son of Karazzalı Murad Pasha.
		- Selim Çelebi: executed by his uncle Mahmud Bey when he usurped the throne of Murad in 1293.
		- Hafsa Hatun: she died young
	+ Mihrişah Hatun (1282, Koçi): twin of Abdullah. She was the favorite of her grandfather Murad I who saw her as a daughter, Murad married her to Damat Iskender Pasha and they had a son.
	+ Devlet Çelebi: (1286?, Koçi - 1293) executed by his uncle Mahmud Bey when he usurped the throne of Murad in 1293.
	+ Kara Hatun
	+ Murad Çelebi: he was still a child when was executed by his uncle Mahmud Bey when he usurped the throne of Murad in 1293.
	+ Süleyman Çelebi: he was still a child when he was executed by his uncle Mahmud Bey when he usurped the throne of Murad in 1293.
* Şehzade Kasim (1670, Katmir - 1293). Sanjakbey of Bilçikek. According to the sources, he was beautiful and many of his consorts were actually girls who freely asked to enter the prince's harem because of his beauty. He was executed at the age of 23 by his uncle Mahmud Bey when he usurped the throne of Murad in 1293.
* Şehzade Osman (c. 1280 Yşrin Palace - 1293). He was executed at the age of 15 by his uncle Mahmud Bey when he usurped the throne of Murad in 1293.