Quick Facts
Biography
Saliha Sultan (fully Daulatlu İsmatlu Saliha Valida Sultan Aliyyetü'ş-şân Hazretleri; c. 1680 – 21 September 1739) was the consort of Ottoman sultan Mustafa II. She was of Greek descent, and was the mother of sultan Mahmud I. She held the title and position of Valide sultan during her son's reign.
Biography
An ethnic Greek, she was born as Alexandra. She was the adoptive daughter of a family living in the Galata neighbourhood of Azapkapı. On 28 September 1730, Patrona Halil with a small group of fellow Janissaries aroused some of the citizens of Constantinople, who opposed the reforms of Ahmed III. Sweeping up more soldiers, the chief rebel Patrona Halil led the riot to the Topkapı Palace, demanded the death of the grand vizier Nevşehirli Damad Ibrahim Pasha, and the abdication of Ahmed III. The sultan acceded to the demands, had Nevşehirli Damat İbrahim Pasha executed, and agreed to the sultanate of his nephew, Mahmud I (1730 – 1754), who replaced him in the throne. As a result of this incident, Mahmud I's mother Saliha became the new Valide Sultan and held the position until her death. She was buried at the Yeni Mosque in Istanbul, inside the tomb of Turhan Hatice, the mother of Sultan Mehmed IV.
Her husband, Mustafa II.
Her burial place is located near the Yeni Mosque.
Her son, Mahmud I.
