Death of Sultán Ahmed Khán — Sultán Mustafa Khán Is Inaugurated
The disease of the stomach, by which his majesty had been afflicted, became, during the first ten days of the month of Dhu’l Kaddah, so much increased as entirely to resist the skill of the physicians; and on Thursday night (i.e. the night preceding Thursday), the 23d of Dhu’l Kaddah (November 17th, 1617), he passed into the eternal world.
In consequence of the tender age of the heir-apparent, his uncle, Sultán Mustafa, in conformity to his deceased brother’s own choice and agreement, succeeded to the throne of the Ottoman empire. Before the hour of morning prayers, therefore, the káímakám or deputy of Constantinople, Mohammed Páshá, the reverend mufti, Isaád Effendí, and the other nobles and grandees of the state, assembling together in the royal diván, prepared a chair of state; and on Thursday the 12th of Teshrín Sání (November), Sultán Mustafa ascended the throne of the khalifat, and was solemnly inaugurated by the assembled nobles and grandees; heralds being sent to proclaim the same in the royal mosques. On the same day, the remains of Sultán Ahmed Khán were carried out into the court of the palace, whence, after the metropolitan priest had performed the funeral obsequies, they were borne to the place of interment, accompanied by all the vezírs and grandees, walking on foot and dressed in mourning.