The global success of Turkish historical dramas, particularly the series known internationally as "The Magnificent Century," has further increased interest in one of the significant figures of 16th-century world history. This was reported by Upl.uz.
However, the title "The Magnificent," given to Suleiman I, the tenth sultan of the Ottoman Empire, by Europe only reflects the external aspect of his reign. In the East, his name is closely associated with the title "The Lawgiver," which means "Legislator."
When analyzing his legacy, it becomes clear that behind his great achievements and military victories lay profound institutional reforms of the state. When Suleiman ascended the throne in 1520 at the age of 26, he inherited an expanded and militarized empire from his father Selim I.
During his 46-year reign, the territory of the state reached its highest peak. After consolidating power, Suleiman launched extensive military campaigns.
In 1521, the Belgrade fortress on the Danube was captured, opening the way for the Ottomans to Central Europe. The following year, the island of Rhodes was conquered, establishing full control over the Eastern Mediterranean.
The peak of his expansion in Europe occurred in 1526 at the Battle of Mohács, where the army of the Kingdom of Hungary was defeated, and the state effectively disintegrated. Although the 1529 siege of Vienna ended unsuccessfully, it demonstrated the level of Ottoman threat to the entire Christian world.
At sea, the fleet led by Hayreddin Barbarossa dominated the Mediterranean, while in the East, prolonged wars with Safavid Iran were fought for control over Iraq and strategic trade routes. By the end of his reign, the Ottoman Empire stretched from Algiers to the borders of Iran, and from Hungary to Yemen.
However, military victories are only part of his legacy. The most important factor for the long-term stability of the empire was his legal reforms.
Suleiman systematized and codified secular laws, which became known as the "Kanun." These laws did not abolish Sharia but regulated areas outside its direct authority, such as administrative governance, taxation, criminal law, and land relations.
The judicial system was unified, taxes were standardized, and the land ownership system was regulated. This reduced unlawful actions by local governors and pashas and strengthened central authority.
It was precisely because of these activities that he was given the nickname "The Lawgiver" in his homeland. Suleiman's reign was also an unparalleled period of cultural flourishing.
Istanbul became one of the main centers of world culture. Under the sultan’s patronage, the great architect Mimar Sinan was active, creating masterpieces such as the Suleymaniye Mosque.
The sultan himself wrote poetry under the pseudonym "Muhibbi," encouraging the development of literature, calligraphy, and the art of jewelry making. The wealth and glory of his palace shaped the image of a "Great" ruler in the eyes of European envoys and monarchs.
In domestic policy, Suleiman applied a practical approach to governing a multiethnic and multireligious empire. Within the "millet" system, non-Muslim communities—Orthodox Christians, Armenians, Jews—enjoyed significant autonomy in matters of religion, education, and family law.
Especially notable was the policy of religious tolerance towards Jews, who fled persecution in Europe at that time, which contrasted with the religious wars occurring in Europe. Even his death did not interrupt state practice
