The Maxims of Turkish Politics
The Office of the Grand Vizier The Prime Vizier, called in Turkish Vezir-i Azam, means the chief counselor of the […]
Records of the Agiamoglans
The names of the Agiamoglans were carefully written in an official book. This book also recorded the places where they
The Chosen Agiamoglans of the Imperial Seraglio
The Agiamoglans who were chosen to serve in the Grand Signior’s Seraglio were selected from the best among the whole
The Rise of the Bostancıs
Among the Bostancıs (also written as Bostangees), some were promoted to a higher rank and were called Hasaki, a title
Origins of the Palace Servants
These servants were rarely the sons of native-born Turks. Instead, they were gathered each year, as previously mentioned, from the
The Fate of the Sultan’s Consorts After His Death
After the death of the Grand Signior, different rules applied to the women of the Seraglio depending on whether they
The End of the Private Ceremony
After the formal ceremonies and private meeting have ended, the woman chosen by the Grand Signior is returned to the
The Sultan’s Appearance in the Garden
When the Grand Signior wishes to spend time in the palace garden with a chosen number of women, a signal
The Dwarfs of the Ottoman Court
In the Ottoman court, there was another group of attendants besides the Pages and the Mutes. These were the Dwarfs,
Education Beyond School Learning
In addition to lessons in reading, writing, and physical exercise outside the school, the young men of the Seraglio were