FRATRICIDE IN OTTOMAN LAW

EKİNCİ E. B.

BELLETEN, vol.82, no.295, pp.1013-1047, 2018 (AHCI, Scopus, TRDizin) identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 82 Issue: 295
  • Publication Date: 2018
  • Journal Name: BELLETEN
  • Journal Indexes: Arts and Humanities Citation Index (AHCI), Scopus, TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM)
  • Page Numbers: pp.1013-1047
  • Marmara University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

This paper considers fratricide in the Ottoman Empire from the Islamic/Ottoman Law viewpoint. The established Turkish political tradition, which is based on the fact that the ruling power is a common patrimony of the members of the dynasty, gave rise to disastrous results in the early period of the Ottoman Empire. Since a strict succession system was not imposed during that early period of the Ottoman State, it would be the destiny of a shahzadah (prince) which would determine his fate in becoming the next sultan. This resulted in infighting amongst the shahzadahs.