Chapter 35:Resistance Against Reform

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Osman's reforms caused significant unrest among the tımar holders. While a few welcomed the changes, the majority viewed them with anger and suspicion. Across Anatolia, particularly in the homes of prominent tımar holders, heated debates about Osman's policies were taking place.

One evening, in the spacious house of a tımar holder in the countryside, a group of men gathered around a sturdy wooden table. Weapons from past campaigns hung on the walls, casting long shadows in the flickering firelight. The room was filled with a tense silence until the host erupted with anger:

"We earned these lands with our sweat and blood," he began, his voice echoing in the room. "We paid our taxes, raised soldiers for the Ottoman dynasty, and what have we received in return? Betrayal! This so-called Young Osman is nothing but a tyrant. Since he ascended to the throne, he's brought nothing but chaos to this land!"

Another tımar holder immediately chimed in, his voice dripping with disdain:

"Yes, you're right. The people have seen nothing but oppression. He even dared to execute the Shaykh al-Islam! As if that weren't enough, now he plans to take a Safavid princess as his wife. How can such actions not tarnish the honor of our empire?"

Another man leaned forward, his expression grim:

"In my opinion, the rightful heir to the throne was Prince Mustafa. Osman was never fit to rule."

A chorus of agreements followed:

"Yes, you're right!" murmured several others. However, the gathering was divided. The more radical members proposed deposing Osman entirely, while the majority rejected the idea outright. In a conservative society like the Ottoman Empire, where the sultan was considered a sacred authority, removing the ruler from the throne was not just risky—it was almost unthinkable. Especially since the legitimacy of the tımar holders themselves depended on the sultan's authority.

Amidst the heated discussions, a compromise emerged. Some tımar holders argued that the real problem lay not with Osman himself but with the corrupt officials surrounding him. An elderly tımar holder spoke in a calm but resolute tone:

"The sultan is young. These reforms aren't his doing; they're the work of Öküz Kara Mehmed Pasha. It's these treacherous pashas, blinding the sultan, that we must get rid of."

This idea gained traction among the majority. Instead of targeting Osman directly, the plan shifted toward removing the grand vizier, a move that could channel their frustrations without outright rebellion against the sultan. Still, not everyone was satisfied with this decision.

Some older tımar holders found the plan unnecessary and chose to remain silent observers. Others who openly opposed the idea met a bloody end, as the radicals silenced dissent with violence. Meanwhile, a few clever individuals discreetly sent word to the capital, hoping to warn the authorities of the brewing rebellion. They knew that silence could sometimes be the wisest course of action.

By the end of the night, a plan was set. Under the pretense of "saving the sultan from the grand vizier's influence," the group would push to depose Öküz Kara Mehmed Pasha. For some, this plan brought hope; for others, it was a dangerous first step on a treacherous path. But the fire had already been lit, and there was no turning back.