As tensions escalated within the Council of State, the Sultan’s Chief Bodyguard and Superintendent of the Usher attempted to calm the agitated members. However, the Spahis, in a state of uproar, disregarded their efforts and resorted to violence, assaulting their chiefs and even attempting to strangle them with their own turbans. The situation deteriorated until the Chief Military Judges of Anatolia and Rumelia, along with the Secretaries of State, intervened to address the crowd, presenting the Sultan’s decree regarding their stipends. Despite their efforts, the Spahis remained defiant, prompting a delegation to plead their case directly to Sultan Murad III at the Adil Kiosk. In response to their grievances against Governor General Mehmet Pasha, Sultan Murad III ordered the execution of the Governor General, despite his notable position and the significant expenses associated with his tenure Sultan Suleyman’s Military Campaigns.
Decline in Treasury
Towards the end of Sultan Murad III’s reign, the Ottoman Treasury faced significant depletion due to the extravagant spending on the Sultan’s numerous favorites in the Harem. Consequently, Sultan Murad III passed on a treasury that was only half-full to his successor, Sultan Mehmet III (1595-1603). This shortage was highlighted in Sultan Mehmet III’s reports to his Grand Vizier, lamenting the lack of treasury and its impact on the state’s affairs.
Challenges to Administration
During Sultan Mehmet III’s reign, the pace of conquests slowed, and the empire faced increased challenges from rebellions in both the East and West. The discontent among the Janissaries and Spahis Private Tour Istanbul, stemming from incomplete stipends, exacerbated these issues, with instances of their involvement in inciting or participating in rebellions. Naima’s history recounts various examples of disorder, including Janissaries rejecting payment and resorting to violence against government officials, and military forces looting the treasury under Grand Vizier Sabik Ferhat Pasha’s administration in Damascus.
