WHAT IS SULTANATE OF WOMEN?
It was the time when wives and mothers of sultans ruled the empire. There were nine different Ottoman sultans between 1566, when Suleiman the Magnificent died, and 1683. 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 see only 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 will 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, Kösem 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 Turhan Hatice Sultan. Of course, I’m not saying that this is all that exists in her name. She may have commissioned some buildings in other parts of the Ottoman Empire.
TURHAN HATICE SULTAN
Kösem Sultan and Turhan Hatice Sultan were the only women in Ottoman history that ruled the Empire. Turhan may have even surpassed Kösem as the supreme ruler of the state.
She was the first Haseki of Sultan Ibrahim and later she became Valide Sultan as the mother of Sultan Mehmed IV.
Sultan Ibrahim was dethroned and killed in 1648. His son, whom he had with Turhan, became the new sultan. That event should have elevated Turhan to the Valide Sultan position. But she was young and with no experience in the state affairs, thus Kösem continued to rule the state as Büyük Valide Sultan.
Naturally, Turhan was not happy with this course of events and, three years into the Kösem’s reign, she may have arranged for Kösem’s to be killed. Kösem’s death opened the way for Turhan to finally become Valide Sultan.
VALIDE TURHAN HATICE SULTAN
Sultan Mehmed IV loved and respected his mother. As Valide Sultan, Turhan had supreme power. Because of her inexperience, she initially relied on Grand Vizier and other members of the government in conducting the state affairs.
YENI MOSQUE
One of the most recognisable Istanbul’s landmarks is the Yeni Mosque in Eminönü. Safiye Sultan started its construction in 1597.
By constructing a mosque in that part of the city, Safiye Sultan wanted to impose the Islamic dominance on what was a mainly Jewish neighbourhood.
But Safiye’s son Sultan Mehmed III died in 1603 and she lost all power. The new sultan, Ahmed I, abandoned the project and redirected the energy and funds on what will become the biggest and most famous Ottoman imperial mosque in Istanbul – the Blue Mosque.
After these events, the construction site turned into ruins which were further severely damaged by the 1660 Great Fire.
In that same year, the imperial architect Mustafa Ağa proposed to Turhan Hatice Sultan to complete the mosque. She accepted and also instructed that the Spice Bazaar is built as part of the imperial complex. The new mosque opened for prayers in 1665. Its initial name was Yeni Valide Sultan Mosque but, over time, it became Yeni Mosque.
When I was in Istanbul back in 2019, they were restoring this mosque. They kept only a small part open for prayers, but were not letting tourist in. This time, I could see it in its full glory.
EGYPTIAN SPICE BAZAAR
The Egyptian Spice Bazaar was built at the same time as the Yeni Mosque. In fact, it’s part of the complex that Turhan Hatice Sultan commissioned.
Its name in Turkish is Mısır Çarşısı. Misir means Egypt in English. They used revenues from the Ottoman eyalet of Egypt to build this market, which gave the name to this bazaar.
It’s the second biggest covered market in Istanbul, after the Grand Bazaar. Also, it’s still the best and most important place for spice trading in the city.
TURHAN HATICE SULTAN FOUNTAIN
Not far from the Yeni Mosque Complex, you will find the Turhan Hatice Sultan Fountain which is still in use.
TURHAN HATICE SULTAN MAUSOLEUM
She died in 1683 in Edirne. They brought her body back to Istanbul to be buried in her mausoleum next to the Yeni Mosque.
Six Ottoman sultans are also buried in this same mausoleum together with her – Mehmed IV, Mustafa II, Osman III, Ahmed III, Mahmud I and Murad V – plus various other members of the Ottoman dynasty. In total, 82 people were buried in this tomb.
Turhan’s death marked the end of the Sultanate of Women period in Ottoman history. She was the last woman that ruled the Empire with supreme power. It’s an incredible life story of the slave girl abducted at the young age of 12 years and gifted to Kösem Sultan for the Topkapi Palace imperial harem.
In fact, the same happened to all formidable women that appeared before her during the Sultanate of Women era. Something like that would’ve never happened in any western kingdom or empire, no ordinary slave girl would’ve had the chance to rule any western state.
You can find many articles about Turhan Hatice 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 Turhan’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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