WHAT IS SULTANATE OF WOMEN?
It was the time when wives and mothers of sultans ruled the empire. From 1566, when Suleiman the Magnificent died, until 1683 – there were nine different Ottoman sultans. But several of them were children when they came to the throne. So, their mothers ruled from the harem, as regents with absolute power.
Most visitors to Istanbul only see the most famous historic buildings: Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace and Grand Bazaar. But, Ottoman Istanbul is much more than just these iconic sites.
However, there are many interesting angles that you can follow when you explore the city. I hope that this post will inspire you to visit structures that I’m going to mention and that you will properly understand their historical context and significance.
The women that I’m talking about are: Hurrem Sultan, Mihrimah Sultan, Nurbanu Sultan, Safiye Sultan, Kosem Sultan and Turhan Hatice Sultan.
Two more women, Handan Sultan and Halime Sultan, appeared in that period too, but they had less influence. Additionally, I couldn’t find anything in their name.
In this post, you will find out about historic sites in Istanbul related to Kosem Sultan. Of course, I’m not saying that this is all that exists in her name. She may have commissioned other buildings in other parts of the Ottoman Empire.
KOSEM SULTAN
Kosem Sultan, or Mahpeyker Sultan, reigned with supreme control and was undoubtedly one of the most famous women in history of the Ottoman empire.
She also arrived to the Topkapi Palace as a slave, but soon she became Haseki Sultan as the favourite consort and afterwards the legal wife of Sultan Ahmed I.
After his death, she became Valide Sultan, as the mother of Sultan Murad IV and Sultan Ibrahim.
A series of events in Sultan Ahmed I’s early reign enabled Kosem to prosper within the imperial harem.
After the death of Sultan Murad III in December 1603, Ahmed became the new sultan. Additionally, Safiye Sultan lost her status and she was sent to the Old Palace in January 1604.
Ahmed’s mother, Handan Sultan, became Valide Sultan, but she died a year later. As Kosem was Haseki Sultan at the time, she took the top position within the imperial harem.
Sultan Ahmed I died in 1617, at the age of 27. At the time of his death, the Ottoman Empire abolished fratricide and implemented a new “Rule of Elderness”.
Kosem may have had something to do with this new policy. She would’ve certainly wanted to prevent the killing of her young sons. After Ahmed’s death, his half-brother became Sultan Mustafa I.
This meant that Kosem lost her status in the harem, she was no longer Haseki Sultan.
Mustafa’s mother, Halime Sultan, became new Valide Sultan. However, Mustafa was deposed due to his poor mental health.
After that, Ahmed’s oldest son whom he had with another woman, Osman, became the new sultan. But he was killed by Janissaries in the Yedikule Fortress in 1622.
Mustafa came to the throne once again, but the Ottomans removed him after just over a year and locked him in Kafes, until his death.
KOSEM – VALIDE SULTAN
After all these events, Kosem’s oldest son became Sultan Murad IV, at the age of 11. She became Valide Sultan and, as Murad was too young to rule, she became the official regent and ruled the Ottoman Empire until 1632.
However, she ruled the Empire during most of the Murad’s reign and attended the meetings of Divan (the cabinet) behind a curtain.
After Murad’s death, her mentally unstable son Ibrahim became the new sultan, whom the Ottomans deposed and killed, with Kösem’s consent.
KOSEM – BÜYÜK VALIDE SULTAN
After Ibrahim, Kosem’s seven years old grandson became Sultan Mehmed IV. She declared herself regent for the third time and ruled supremely for 3 years.
According to the rule, Mehmed’s mother, Turhan Hatice Sultan should’ve become Valide Sultan. But, she was overlooked because she was young and inexperienced.
In the power struggle, Turhan Hatice Sultan most likely ordered Kosem’s assassination, three years into the Mehmed’s reign.
ÇINILI MOSQUE
There are several historic sites, related to Kosem Sultan, that you can visit in Istanbul. One of them is the Çinili Mosque in Üsküdar. I can easily say that, although small, this mosque is possibly one of the most beautiful of all mosques that I saw in Istanbul.

Kosem Sultan commissioned construction of the Çinili Mosque. The mosque was completed and opened for prayers in 1640. Considering Kosem’s status and power, you would expect to see a monumental structure rather than this small mosque in a residential part of Üsküdar.

This mosque is famous for its superb interior decoration with Kütahya tiles. I can tell you that no photo conveys the beauty of the mosque, it’s one of those places that you have to see in its entirety to understand the effort invested in its embellishment.

The whole complex also included a madrasa and a hammam.

ÇINILI HAMMAM
The Çinili Hammam was also built in 1640 and is immediately next to the mosque. It’s a functional historic bath house.

BÜYÜK VALIDE HAN
Kosem Sultan also commissioned construction of the Büyük Valide Han, close to the Grand Bazaar in the historic part of Istanbul. The purpose of the han was to finance the running of the Çinili Mosque.

This han was constructed in 1651, in the place where the 16th century Cerrah Mehmed Pasha palace used to be.

While atmospheric and seemingly authentic, Büyük Valide Han is in a desperate need of restoration. Hopefully, they’ll do something about it especially if you consider the historic value of this structure, right in the heart of the old Istanbul’s area. You’ll find many small business inside of the han.

KOSEM SULTAN TOMB
She was killed in 1651 and is buried in the Sultan Ahmed I mausoleum, next to the Blue Mosque.

Mahpeyker Sultan’s resting place is next to her husband, Sultan Ahmed I. While you are visiting Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, make sure that you also visit this splendidly decorated mausoleum.

Sultan Osman II and Sultan Murad IV are also buried with them, in addition to many other members of the Ottoman dynasty.

You can find many articles about Kosem Sultan on the internet. However, if you study or perhaps you are just interested in this fascinating part of Ottoman history, hopefully this post will help you better understand Kosem’s life seen through her legacy in modern-day Istanbul.
She will be remembered forever or, at least, for as long as these structures in her name exist.
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