During the reign of Suleyman the Magnificent, it became evident that Ottoman viziers were affluent individuals. Makbul Ibrahim Pasha, one of Suleyman’s most esteemed viziers, led a lavish lifestyle comparable to that of the Sultan himself. His opulent wedding ceremony, held at the Hippodrome, rivaled that of the Sultan’s. Suleyman, attending as the guest of honor, jokingly remarked on the grandeur of the event, asking Ibrahim Pasha whether his wedding surpassed the Sultan’s own. Sensing the gravity of the situation, Ibrahim Pasha tactfully replied that his wedding was indeed superior because it lacked the presence of “all the sugar in the world” present at the Sultan’s wedding, cleverly sparing his life for the time being Unrest in the Palace.
Rise and Fall of a Vizier
Despite Ibrahim Pasha’s initial favor with the Sultan, his fortunes soon changed. Falling out of favor with Suleyman, he faced execution, earning the grim epithet “Maktul” Ibrahim Pasha in history. A door bearing his name at the outer ramparts of Topkapi Palace stands as a reminder of his once elevated status.
Suleyman’s Fondness for Luxury
Suleyman the Magnificent was renowned for his appreciation of luxury and finery. His extravagant tastes were evident even during his youth, when his excessive adornment prompted his father, Yavuz Sultan Selim, to chide him for leaving nothing for his mother to wear. Upon his return from India, Suleyman brought back a plethora of crests adorned with precious stones and other lavish ornaments Walking Tours Istanbul.
Wealth from Distant Lands
Suleyman’s voyages to distant lands, such as India and Iran, yielded immense wealth for the Ottoman Empire. The Pegevi History recounts the discovery of numerous valuable objects, including treasures hidden in caves and buried artifacts, contributing to a rich booty. Despite the staggering wealth acquired, some items were left behind due to their impracticality to transport and were subsequently destroyed.
