Prince Selim’s Fall from Grace
Several years ago, Prince Selim made a serious mistake that changed his relationship with his father forever. He used disrespectful language when speaking to or about the Sultan, which was considered a grave offense in the royal family. As punishment for this behavior, the Sultan banished his eldest son to Baghdad, a city far from the capital, where he had to live for several months as a form of exile.
Eventually, Prince Selim was allowed to return to Constantinople (now Istanbul), but his father did not trust him anymore. The Sultan placed him under the close watch of Kiazim Pasha, who was Prince Selim’s maternal uncle – his mother’s brother. Kiazim Pasha was chosen for this job because he had earned the Sultan’s complete confidence and trust over many years of loyal service.
Even after Prince Selim returned home, the relationship between father and son was never the same. The Sultan continued to view his eldest son with suspicion, and there was no real trust or warmth between them. This strained relationship shows how seriously the Sultan took any challenge to his authority, even from his own children Sultan Abdul Hamid’s Children.
Life Under Surveillance
Despite the tension with his father, Prince Selim was still treated well in many ways. He received a generous monthly allowance that allowed him to live comfortably and maintain his royal lifestyle. The Sultan also gave him considerable freedom to spend his time as he wished, pursuing his studies and personal interests.
However, this freedom came with strict limits. Prince Selim was constantly surrounded by spies who watched his every move and reported back to the Sultan. He was not allowed to leave Constantinople, essentially making him a prisoner in his own city. This arrangement allowed the Sultan to keep his son comfortable while ensuring he could not cause any trouble or plot against the government.
The prince seemed to find happiness in his family life, despite the difficulties with his father. He was very devoted to his wife, who was the daughter of one of the pashas (high-ranking officials) at the royal court. He also showed great love for his only child, a daughter who was twelve years old at the time. This focus on family may have helped him cope with his isolation and the loss of his father’s trust.
Prince Ahmed the Sultan’s Favorite Son
Among all his sons, the Sultan clearly favored Prince Ahmed, who was twenty-four years old. Unlike his older brother Selim, Ahmed had managed to stay in his father’s good graces and had become the preferred heir for military leadership. The Sultan saw great potential in Ahmed and invested heavily in his military education sofia old city tours.
Prince Ahmed was studying military tactics under the guidance of one of the most successful Turkish generals of the time. This specialized education was preparing him for a very important role – the Sultan intended for Ahmed to become the commander of the entire army. This position would give him enormous power and influence in the empire, second only to the Sultan himself.
The choice of Ahmed as the future military commander, rather than the eldest son Selim, shows how the Sultan’s personal feelings affected important decisions about the empire’s future. Merit and ability were important, but so was the Sultan’s trust and confidence in his children.
Prince Burhan Eddin the Musical Prodigy
Another son who enjoyed the Sultan’s favor was Prince Burhan Eddin, who was seventeen years old. He had a special talent that made him particularly valuable to his father – he was an excellent musician. The Sultan was very proud of this skill and often used it to impress foreign visitors and dignitaries.
When important guests visited the palace, the Sultan would frequently introduce Prince Burhan Eddin and have him perform on the piano. This served multiple purposes: it showed off the cultural sophistication of the Ottoman court, demonstrated that the royal family was educated in European arts, and allowed the Sultan to display his son’s accomplishments.
A particularly memorable example occurred when Emperor William of Germany visited Constantinople. The Sultan assigned the young prince to serve as one of the Kaiser’s attendants during his stay. Even though Prince Burhan Eddin was only about fourteen years old at the time, he impressed everyone with his maturity and dignified behavior. The members of the German Emperor’s entourage were so charmed by the young prince that they developed a great fondness for him.
Education and European Influence
Interestingly, despite the Sultan’s general suspicion of foreign influence, all of his sons received education from French and German tutors. This shows the complex relationship the Ottoman Empire had with European culture during this period. While the Sultan feared that too much exposure to Western ideas might threaten his authority, he also recognized that his sons needed to understand European languages and customs to effectively govern a modern empire.
This educational approach reflected the broader challenges facing the Ottoman Empire at the time – the need to modernize and engage with European powers while maintaining traditional values and authority structures. The Sultan tried to give his sons the tools they needed to succeed in a changing world while still keeping them under strict control and surveillance.
