Osman III (January 2, 1739 – October 30, 1757) was the sultan of the Ottoman empire from 1754 to 1757.
The younger brother of Mahmud I and son of Mustafa II, Osman was a generally insignificant prince. His brief reign is notable for a rising intolerance of non-Muslims (Christians and Jews being required to wear distinctive clothes or badges) and for a fire in Istanbul.
Osman lived most of his life as a prisoner in the Palace, and so upon becoming Sultan he had some behavioral peculiarities. Unlike previous sultans, he hated music, and sent all musicians out of the palace. Also living in the "kafes", the palace prison in the "harem" which was the part of palace containing women's quarters he grew a dislike for women's companionship. Therefore he would wear iron shoes in order to not cross paths with any women, by wearing such shoes they could hear him approach and disperse.
