Mehmed IV (1648–1687), known as “Mehmed the Hunter” (Avcı Mehmed), was the 19th Sultan of the Ottoman Empire and one of its longest-reigning rulers, serving for 39 years. His rule witnessed both a revival of Ottoman power in its early years and a sharp decline toward the end, including the failed Siege of Vienna in 1683, which marked a turning point in Ottoman-European relations. Despite his personal disinterest in governance, his reign was notable for its strong viziers, particularly the Köprülü family, who temporarily revitalized the empire.
- Full Name: Mehmed ibn Ibrahim
- Titles: Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, Caliph of Islam
- Reign: 1648–1687 (39 years)
- Dynasty: Ottoman
- Father: Ibrahim I
- Mother: Turhan Hatice Sultan
- Predecessor: Ibrahim I
- Successor: Suleiman II
- Capital: Istanbul
- Age at Accession: 6 years
- Age at Death: 56
🧒 Early Reign: Regency and Turmoil
- Mehmed IV became sultan in 1648 at just 6 years old after the deposition and execution of his father, Ibrahim I.
- His early reign was marked by instability, court intrigue, and violent factionalism.
- His mother, Turhan Hatice Sultan, acted as regent and wielded substantial influence during his minority.
🛡️ Rise of the Köprülü Viziers (1656 Onwards)
The turning point in his reign came with the appointment of Köprülü Mehmed Pasha as Grand Vizier in 1656:
- The Köprülü family brought discipline, reform, and military revival.
- They tackled corruption, stabilized the economy, and reasserted central authority.
- The Köprülü era (1656–1683) was marked by military success and administrative reform.
🔹 Köprülü Mehmed Pasha
- Ruthless but effective, executed thousands to restore order.
- Reformed taxation and crushed rebellious governors.
🔹 Köprülüzade Fazıl Ahmed Pasha
- His son continued these policies and led successful campaigns in:
- Crete (conquest completed in 1669)
- Transylvania and Hungary
🎯 Personal Interests: The Hunter Sultan
- Mehmed IV was deeply devoted to hunting, earning the nickname Avcı (The Hunter).
- He often left state affairs to his viziers, especially during the Köprülü era.
- He preferred staying in Edirne, far from the capital, further distancing himself from daily governance.
⚔️ Military Campaigns and the Siege of Vienna (1683)
🛡️ Early Victories
- Ottoman expansion into Central Europe continued successfully under his reign, especially in Hungary and the Balkans.
⚔️ Siege of Vienna (1683) – A Major Turning Point
- Led by Grand Vizier Kara Mustafa Pasha, the Ottomans launched a massive campaign to take Vienna.
- The siege failed after the arrival of a Christian relief army led by King Jan III Sobieski of Poland.
- This crushing defeat marked the beginning of the empire’s long military decline in Europe.
📉 Decline and Deposition
- After the Vienna debacle, a series of military defeats followed:
- Losses in Hungary
- Collapse of Ottoman prestige in Europe
- The Janissaries and military elite turned against Mehmed IV.
- In 1687, after a mutiny, he was deposed and replaced by his brother Suleiman II.
- He lived in retirement in Edirne, where he died in 1693.
🏛️ Legacy
🔷 Achievements:
- His reign saw one of the last major military revivals of the empire.
- The Köprülü viziers ushered in a period of administrative reform and efficiency.
- Oversaw the conquest of Crete, ending centuries of Venetian dominance in the Eastern Mediterranean.
🔻 Failures:
- Delegated too much power, becoming detached from governance.
- Oversaw the worst military defeat in Ottoman history up to that point at Vienna.
- His passive rule allowed court corruption and factionalism to resurface after the Köprülüs’ decline.
📜 Summary
Mehmed IV (1648–1687) ruled for nearly four decades during a critical transitional period in Ottoman history. While his viziers revived the empire’s power in the mid-1600s, his personal disengagement from politics and catastrophic military defeats later led to his fall. His reign bridges the last high point and the beginning of long-term decline in the Ottoman Empire’s fortunes.
