Chapter 21:1617 Dawn of a New Empire

1617 marked the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter for the Ottoman Empire. Sultan Ahmed I had fallen gravely ill with typhus, and Osman stood tearfully by his father's bedside. Ahmed's final words were not only a testament to his love for Osman but also a weighty responsibility for the young prince:

"Osman, never let ambition for the throne sever the bond between you and your brothers. On this path, brothers have killed brothers, fathers their sons. Be different!"

With Ahmed's last breath, a chapter of history closed. Osman, wiping away his tears, prepared resolutely to ascend the throne.

The transition of power proceeded smoothly. Grand Vizier Kara Öküz Mehmet Pasha was a loyal supporter of Osman, ensuring no obstacles hindered his rise to power. However, Osman was not content with merely taking the throne; he sought to leave his mark on Ottoman history through reform.

Osman turned the traditional cülus (accession) ceremony into an opportunity for economic innovation. Every sultan had the right to mint coins in their name, but Osman interpreted this differently. By bringing skilled Italian craftsmen to the empire and introducing screw press machines, he revolutionized Ottoman coin minting. These new coins symbolized technological and economic progress.

The coins minted with this new technology were distributed as cülus bahşişi (accession gratuity), serving not only as a gift to the Janissaries but also as a statement of Osman's forward-thinking leadership. This bold move was met with admiration from both the army and the people, marking Osman's reign as one of reform and vision from its very inception.

At a young age, Osman demonstrated a determination and innovative spirit that made him not just a sultan, but a harbinger of change, setting the stage for a modernized Ottoman Empire.