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- Title
THE OTTOMAN SERAGLIO: AN INSTITUTION OF POWER AND EDUCATION.
- Authors
KARADUMAN, Alev
- Abstract
From the 16th century onwards, especially in the 17th and 18th centuries, the Ottoman Seraglio fascinated the Europeans and was often made the subject of European fantasies and prejudices. Essentially, this was due to the imaginary representations and misperceptions arising from the secrecy and censure that surrounded the life and concubines in the Seraglio. However, contrary to the distorted and mistaken perception of Seraglio as such, historically, it was an institution whereby the concubines were instructed in various forms of art, music, protocol and imperial etiquette, poetry and history. Those concubines who excelled in their skills and intellectual capacity were held in esteem and often rewarded. Especially the favorites from among them were personally praised and respected by the Sultan. Beginning with Hürrem Sultan (Roxelana) (c. 1510-1558) in the 16th century, the chief concubine who gave birth to a son by the Sultan began to exercise her power and influence not only over the other concubines but also over the Sultan himself. In this regard, first Safiye Sultan (c. 1550-1605?), Kösem Sultan (c. 1589-1651) and Turhan Sultan (1628?-1683) were the most famous figures who had much influence on the Sultan and the politics of their time. The effects of the concubines on the Sultans were written by some of the concubines; especially, Leyla Saz Hanımefendi who was a member of Ottoman Seraglio, wrote her actual experiences of life at the palace and in her memoir and made references to many incidents she encountered to prove that Harem was not the place of femininity but education. So the main aim of this article is to prove that Ottoman Seragşio was not the place of femininity but the institution of power and education.
- Subjects
TURKEY; HAREMS; OTTOMAN Empire; SULTANS; POWER (Social sciences); EDUCATION; HISTORY
- Publication
Hacettepe University Journal of Turkish Studies / HÜTAD Hacettepe Üniversitesi Türkiyat Arastirmalari Dergisi, 2014, Vol 11, Issue 21, p109
- ISSN
1305-5992
- Publication type
Article