Sultan of Sultans

Sultan of Sultans is the literal English translation of the Ottoman Turkish royal title Sultan es-Selatin or Sultan us-Selatin. It is similar to the regal style Great Sultan (Ulugh Sultan), which is translated from Arabic.

As with various other laudatory titles of Semitic origin, such as "King of Kings", Sultan of Sultans can express a claim of imperial rank up to and including universal legitimate sovereignty. Although the notion and title of an emperor is largely alien to Islamic tradition, the Ottoman dynasty which, employed the title of "Sultan of Sultans" in its official full style had perhaps the best claim to usage due to its territorial extent and great length. The Ottomans also adopted the traditional Byzantine imperial title Caesar for their own ruler (the Padishah).

The Shahanshah (Persian for "King of Kings") of Iran also claimed, with slightly less legitimacy, to be the "Sultan of Sultans". These assertions were tied to the conflict between the Sunni and Shiite branches of Islam.

The title has also been appropriated for local use by various minor Muslim rulers, especially in Bengal.

References

G. W. Prothero, Stanley Leathes, Sir Adolphus William Ward, John Emerich Edward Dalberg-Acton Acton (Baron.). The Cambridge Modern History. CUP Archive. p. 95. Retrieved 20 November 2014.

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