Mustafa I vs Sukjong of Joseon

Mustafa I was deposed by a Janissary revolt after only three months on the throne. The Janissaries, dissatisfied with his mental instability, replaced him with his nephew Osman II. This was the first time a sultan was deposed due to mental incapacity.

After the murder of Osman II, Mustafa I was reinstated as sultan by the Janissaries. His second reign lasted only 14 months, during which he was unable to govern effectively due to his mental condition, leading to chaos in the empire.

Mustafa I was deposed for a second time by the Janissaries and replaced by his nephew Murad IV. He was returned to confinement (kafes), where he lived until his death in 1639. This ended his troubled reign.

Sukjong purged the Southerners faction, accusing them of plotting treason. He replaced them with the Westerners, who then split into Noron and Soron factions. This marked the beginning of Sukjong's pattern of switching factions to maintain royal power.

Sukjong purged the Westerners faction after a dispute over the succession of his son (later Gyeongjong). He reinstated the Southerners, who supported the son. This purge solidified the Soron faction's influence and deepened factional hatred.

Sukjong purged the Southerners faction again, accusing them of plotting against Queen Inhyeon. He reinstated the Westerners (Noron faction). This was the third major purge of his reign, demonstrating his strategy of balancing factions.

Sukjong implemented the Daeedongbeop, a uniform land tax system that replaced various tribute payments with a single rice tax. This simplified taxation, reduced corruption, and increased state revenue, though it burdened peasants in some regions.