
Recommended read
Osman's Dream: The History of the Ottoman Empire 1300–1923
Caroline Finkel
Mehmed IV and the wars that brought Kara Mustafa to the gates of Vienna.

The most notable rulers who held power elsewhere at the same time, from European courts to Ottoman, Mughal, and Chinese thrones.

Louis XIV of France
France
1643–1715

Aurangzeb
Mughal Empire
1658–1707

Kangxi Emperor
China
1661–1722

Charles II of England
England
1660–1685

Charles II of Spain
Spain
1665–1700

Shah Jahan
Mughal Empire
1628–1658

Leopold I, Holy Roman Emperor
Holy Roman Empire
1658–1705

Tokugawa Ietsuna
Japan (Shogunate)
1651–1680

Afonso VI of Portugal
Portugal
1656–1683

Charles II of England
Scotland
1660–1685

Charles XI of Sweden
Sweden
1660–1697

Emperor Reigen
Japan
1663–1687

Philip IV of Spain
Spain
1621–1665

Oliver Cromwell
England
1653–1658

Shunzhi Emperor
China
1644–1661
Yongli Emperor
China
1646–1662

Pope Alexander VII
Papacy
1655–1667

Ferdinand III, Holy Roman Emperor
Holy Roman Empire
1637–1657

Pope Innocent XI
Papacy
1676–1689

Emperor Go-Sai
Japan
1655–1663

James II of England
England
1685–1688

John IV of Portugal
Portugal
1640–1656

Tokugawa Tsunayoshi
Japan (Shogunate)
1680–1709

Emperor Go-Kōmyō
Japan
1643–1654

Pope Innocent X
Papacy
1644–1655

Pope Clement X
Papacy
1670–1676

Peter II of Portugal
Portugal
1683–1706

James II of England
Scotland
1685–1688

Christina, Queen of Sweden
Sweden
1632–1654

Charles X Gustav of Sweden
Sweden
1654–1660

Pope Clement IX
Papacy
1667–1669

Tokugawa Iemitsu
Japan (Shogunate)
1623–1651
One “meanwhile in history” story each week: who ruled where, and what was happening on thrones across the world.
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From the library
Hand-picked histories and biographies for readers who want more than the timeline: the same era, told in full.

Recommended read
Caroline Finkel
Mehmed IV and the wars that brought Kara Mustafa to the gates of Vienna.

Caroline Finkel
A modern narrative history of the sultans and the empire they ruled for six centuries.
Find on Amazon
Jason Goodwin
A lyrical, readable introduction to Ottoman court life, conquest, and decline.
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