Şehzade Mustafa

Mustafa was born in 1515 in Manisa to Sultan Suleiman I. and his consort Mahidevran Sultan, while Suleiman was still a prince, Mustafa experienced problems in his relationship with his father since very early in his life. He was the first-born son and therefore the heir apparent to the throne, but his father, according to some historians, was more interested in Mustafa's younger half-brotherSehzade Mehmed, the eldest son of Hürren Sultan the most prominent one of Suleiman's consorts and his legal wife. Suleiman created more opportunities to the younger one and appeared to be preparing him for the throne. His father's treatment further displeased Mustafa. Then, he faced a second shock after being sent to Amasya from the more prominent Manisa. The rule of Manisa was given to Mehmed. However, after he was sent to Amasya, Mustafa got the news of an edict written by Suleiman. To Mustafa's pleasant surprise, It indicated that Mustafa was the only heir to the throne; Suleiman had sent him to Amasya not because he did not want him to be his heir, but in order to defend the east coast of the Ottoman Empire and learn how to manage a large empire. This edict also relieved the Ottoman army and people, as Şehzade Mustafa was the popular successor to the throne.

In Amasya, he got the news of the death of his brother Mehmed. It seemed like all barriers between the throne and Mustafa were gone, but he still faced another challenge. Another brother of Mustafa,Bayazid was sent to Konya for his sanjak assignment.

It was a critical decision, as Bayezid’s mother was also Hürrem Sultan, the mother of the late Mehmed. Her support of her own son, Bayezid, made Mustafa's political career difficult, but he successfully ruled Amasya for 12 years. In 1547, during Sultan Suleiman’s Elkas Campaign, the sultan met with his sons Selim, Bayezid, and Mustafa in different places and talked to them about the political situation. It was long after the death of Mehmed, but the race between the three princes was still going on. Selim was sent to Anatolia as the prince of Manisa in 1544.

Mustafa’s life was now in danger, as Hürrem sultan and Grand Vizier Rüstem Pasha made a court alliance against him in favor of Hürrem's sons, bayazid and Selim

In the television series Muhtesem Yüzyil, Mustafa is played by Turkish actor Mehmet Günsür.

By:Greta Palinkas