This is a summary of the text:
The text is a transcript of a historical drama about Sultan Ahmed I, who became the ruler of the Ottoman Empire in 1603 at the age of 14. The drama depicts his life, his love for a Greek girl named Anastasia, and his struggle to maintain his power and reform the empire. The transcript covers the following scenes:
- Ahmed introduces himself as the son of Sultan Mehmet Khan and Handan Sultan, and narrates how he learned about the brutal law of fratricide that requires the new sultan to kill his brothers to prevent civil war.
- Ahmed witnesses the execution of 19 princes, his cousins, by his father's order. He vows to his beloved Dilruba that he will not follow this law if he becomes the sultan.
- Ahmed's father dies and he is summoned to the palace to ascend the throne. He fears for his life and prays to God for protection. He meets his brother Mustafa, who is also a potential heir, on the way.
- Ahmed arrives at the palace and is greeted by the grand vizier, Sheikh ul Islam, and other dignitaries. He also sees Safiye Sultan, his grandmother and the leader of the palace intrigue. He is crowned as Sultan Ahmed I.
- Ahmed shocks everyone by announcing that he will not kill Mustafa, but spare his life and treat him as a brother. He defies the ancient law and declares a new era of mercy and justice.
- Anastasia, a Greek girl from Cephalonia, is kidnapped by Turkish pirates who plan to sell her as a slave in Istanbul. She tries to escape but is caught by one of them, who claims to be an Austrian named Andra.
- Andra saves Anastasia from being raped by another pirate and decides to take her with him. He reveals that he is actually a Turk who works for the Ottoman navy. He tells her that he has an important gift for the sultan from Cephalonia.
- Handan Sultan, Ahmed's mother and Valide Sultan, advises him to reconsider his decision and warns him of the dangers of keeping Mustafa alive. She also urges him to execute Safiye Sultan and find a concubine who can give him an heir.
- Mustafa's mother, Halime Sultan, rejoices at Ahmed's mercy and hopes to find a safe place for her son. She says that they have two options: either die or rule.
- Safiye Sultan sends one of her agents to join the rebels led by Kalenderoglu, who opposes Ahmed's rule. She offers him an alliance and promises to deliver Mustafa to him as a puppet sultan.
Here are the key facts from the text:
1. Ahmed is the son of Sultan Mehmet Khan and Handan Sultan.
2. Ahmed was born 24 years after the death of Sultan Suleiman.
3. Ahmed spent the first five years of his life in Manisa.
4. Ahmed was brought to Istanbul when his father became the ruler.
5. Ahmed's father ordered the execution of Ahmed's brother.
6. Ahmed learned that the law of the great state is that the ruler must kill his brothers to prevent unrest.
7. Ahmed's father, Sultan Ahmed Khan, died.
8. Ahmed ascended to the throne unexpectedly.
9. Ahmed gave life to his brother, Shehzade Mustafa, instead of executing him.
10. Ahmed's decision not to kill his brother was against the laws of the state.
11. Ahmed was advised by his valide (mother) to follow the traditions of the Ottoman Empire.
12. Safiye Sultan, Ahmed's grandmother, was against Ahmed's decision not to kill his brother.
13. Ahmed was told that he needs to do three things to get rid of his enemies: execute Shehzade Mustafa, send Safiye Sultan to the old palace, and have an heir.
14. Ahmed was praised by his people for having mercy on his brother.
15. Ahmed's valide was worried that Handan Sultan would convince her son to kill Shehzade Mustafa.
Note: Some of the text appears to be missing or corrupted, so some facts may not be entirely clear.