Patrona Halil was born in Albania in 1690. He served as a naval soldier (levent) in the Ottoman navy, but escaped on the grounds that he incited the soldiers on the ship to rebel, then came to Istanbul and was enrolled in the Janissary Corps. He was the leader of the rebellion that resulted in the dethronement of the Ottoman Sultan Ahmed III. The Patrona Halil riot marked the end of the Tulip Era in the Ottoman Empire.
During the Tulip Era in the 18th century, the failures of Ahmed III's grand vizier Damad Ibrahim Pasha of Nevsehir in the wars, the heavy taxes imposed and the extravagant luxury spending of the statesmen caused the discontent of the people. Despite the difficult conditions the people lived in, the construction of mansions and pavilions in the French architectural style and the increase in luxury, debauchery and waste caused the people to explode.
A rebellion began on September 25, 1730 under the leadership of Patrona Halil. The number of rebels gathered in the squares reached approximately 4000 and they pressed on to the gates of the palace. Ahmed III, who was in despair, handed over his son-in-law Ibrahim Pasha and other statesmen, whom the rebels wanted, to be executed on October 1st, and sent some of them into exile. However, the rebels were not content with these executions and exiles; they also wanted the sultan to be deposed. Thereupon, Ahmed III received assurances that he and his children would not be touched, renounced the sultanate and enthroned his nephew Prince Mahmud I (October 2, 1730). The looting of bazaars and raids on mansions and waterside residences continued for days in Istanbul. Patrona Halil took advantage of the lack of authority following the rebellion and reigned for weeks, appointed whomever he wanted to state posts, and made a great fortune.
Finally, efforts to eliminate the rebels began. Patrona Halil and the leaders of the riot, who were summoned to a meeting in the palace on November 25, were killed there by the order of the sultan. The other rebels escaped, and decrees were issued to punish those who escaped. Although the city was partially calmed by the killing of the rebel leaders, chaos continued for a while, and then this important rebellion came to an end completely.