#abide sultan daughter of murad iii

[ottomanladies]

DAUGHTERS OF MURAD III

As we all know, Murad III was the sultan who had thirty daughters when he died, but in 1598 seventeen or eighteen daughters died due to plaque, so there were twelve or thirteen who were left. There were several daughters of Safiye Sultan, and much more daughters of concubines, who were married in mass ceremony in summer of 1613.

When Murad ascended the throne, Venetian ambassadors started to report about his family composition. Let’s now see reports from early reign of Murad III:

Report from Giacomo Soranzo from 1576 (page 205) (provided by Maria Pia Pedani)

Sultan Amorat III di questo nome, et XIII imperator de Turchi, è al presente di età di 33 anni. Ha una figliola di XII anni et dui figliuoli maschi, il primo, sultan Mehemet, di IX anni, et l’altro sultan Soleiman di VIII.

Report from Giovanni Correr from 1578 (page 239) (provided by Maria Pia Pedani)

Sarebbe, dicono, inclinato per natura a disordinar con le donne, perché si diletta grandemente della conversation loro; pure, con tanta commodità et quantità che n’ha, si tien per fermo che ’l sia contento della sola moglie, la qual se ben non le ha per ancora fatto chebin, che tanto vuol dire come indotata et sposata, ama grandemente, né mai dorme lontano da lei, et con essa ha tre figliuoli, una femina de XI anni et dui maschi, il primo di IX, et l’altro di V anni.

Report from Giacomo Soranzo from 1584 (page 268) (provided by Maria Pia Pedani)

Questo sultan Mehemet, solo et unico figliolo maschio di Sua Maestà con doi figliole femine, se ben ha havuto altri quattro figlioli maschi, che son morti, tutti di una istessa madre, è hora in età di XVI in XVII anni, et la prima figliola di XIIII dissegnata, come si crede, a Ibrain bassà, et [6] l’altra più picciola.

Report from Paolo Contarini from 1583; book Relazioni degli ambasciatori veneti al Senato (page 243):

Ha Sua Maesta un figliuolo unico maschio chiamato Sultan Memet, di eta d’ anni 18, e che l’ anno passato fu ritagliato, com’ e noto alla Serenita Vostra, di maggior vita e di piu bella statura del padre, di color olivastro, e negli occhi mostra esser crudele; s’ intende ch’ egli abbia animo grande, e che spesso biasma il padre, perche dipende dal consiglio delle done e non va in persona alla guerra. Ha pure Sua Maesta due figliuole, una di eta di quattordici anni, che, come ho detto, e destinata per moglie ad Ibraim bassa, e l’ altra e di anni dieci, ne per ancora e destinata ad alcuno, sebben si ragiona che la sultana madre abbia intenzionne di farla dar per moglie a Mamut aga, capigi bassi del serenissimo Signor, allievo e molto favorito di Sua Maesta.

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As far as I understood from reports above:

Beside Mehmed, Safiye gave birth to four sons who died before 1584; one of them was named Süleyman who was year younger than Mehmed, thus being born in 1567. Also, Mahmud and Selim (who were born respectively in 1572 and 1579; see A Comparison of Seyyid Lokman’s Records of the Birth, Death and Wedding Dates of Members of Ottoman Dynasty (1566-1595) with the Records in Ottoman Chronicles by Pazan Ibrahim), were also sons of Safiye, according to birth dates.

Safiye for sure had at least two daughters; Ayşe, who was four years younger than her brother Mehmed, thus being born in 1570, and Fatma, who was four years younger than her elder sister and eight years younger than her brother, thus being born in 1574. Beside them, it seems that Safiye had one more daughter, who was older from Mehmed two to three years, thus being born in 1563-1564.

From later reign of Murad III we have also some informations:

Report from Lorenzo Bernardo in 1590 provided by Maria Pia Pedani (actually the report was made in 1586/87; because this bailo was there until 1587)

Fra tutti questi che a quella Porta potessero far bene e male a questo Senato è la sultana moglie, uno de principali mezi appresso il Gran Signore. Questa è di natione albanese, molto savia e prudente, si è mostrata da un tempo in qua molto bene affetta alle cose della Serenità Vostra, e però mi son trattenuto con lei con alcune galanterie di poco valore, perché non si mostra avida né ha causa di essere tale perché è ricchissima. Il suo favore non solo è da stimare al presente, ma molto più per l’avenire, in tempo che regnasse  il prencipe suo figliolo, appresso il quale è di molta autorità. È d’età d’anni 38 in 39, e sono anni 25 ch’hebbe commercio col Gran Signore col quale per anni 18 continui hebbe molti figlioli, de quali al presente ne vivono tre solamente, cioè Meemet prencipe, la figliola maritata in Ibraim bassà et una figliola che hora è da marito.

Safiye’s Household and Venetian Diplomacy; page 29 note 64

16 Aug. 1590  – the marriages of two daughters of the sultan has been arranged; the first is beautiful and will marry the beylerbeyi of Greece; the other is humpback, but not a monster, and she will marry Siyavuş paşa

Safiye’s Household and Venetian Diplomacy; page 29 (note 63 confirms spring 1591 as date)

In 1591 the rich Hümaşah Ayşe, the daughter of Mihrimah and Rüstem, proposed to pay the expenses of one hundred galleys for six months, if her son-in-law Çiğala-zâde Sinan paşa was made kapudanpaşa. At the same time a sister of prince Mehmed tried to obtain the same office for her brother-in-law Mehmed paşa.

Report from Matheo Zane from April 18, 1592, to the Doge and Senate (source: Calendar of State Papers and Manuscripts Relating to English Affairs (1893); page 23 – I will only provide first part of the letter)

The appointment of Sciavus as Gran Vizir was made against the intentions of the Sultan himself, who, in his own mind, had designed to make Sciavus second Vizir, and Sinan Gran Vizir. But Sinan was far away, and his Majesty was aware that there was pressing danger if he refused to satisfy the troops by the removal of Ferrad; he accordingly conferred the seals to Sciavus. This appointment is more popular among the people and the merchants than with the troops, who remember that the disorders of their payment took place in the time of Sciavus, though the head of the Beglierbey of Greece paid the penalty for all. It is thought that if the Sultan’s daughter, who is twenty-six years old, marries Sciavus he will keep his office, if not there is danger of his losing it…

Alphonse la Martine claims in his work History of Turkey (p. 108):

Ferhad-Pasha, grown old in the wars of Persia, was appointed grand vizier in the place of Sinan-Pasha, who returned for the third time into his sumptuous exile of Malghara. Ferhad had espoused the daughter of the Sultana Safiye. This princess governed under her son Mahomet III from the depths of the harem, still more absolutely than under Amurath.

Report from Girolamo Capello from 1600 (p. 416, provided by Maria Pia Pedani)

Rimane per ultimo Sciaus, di nazione ongaro, e per quello che viene detto nato nobilmente. Questo fu grandemente amato da sultan Selim; è persona di bell’aspetto, grave, di poche parole e risoluto, e nessuno vien formato di maggior intelligenza di lui, né più atto a regger tanto peso, essendo stato tre volte primo visir, se bene gl’attribuiscono nome di sfortunato, essendo nel tempo del suo governo successi incendii grandissimi et accidenti infausti, e sempre che si sente voce di mutazione di governo egli viene nominato per primo; ma si giudica che non potrà riuscire per non esser in grazia della regina, essendo che doppo la morte della prima sua moglie, non volse prendere un’altra sultana. Con tutto ciò non manca chi lo pone innanzi. E l’ultimo ordine che diede il Gran Signore a Sciaus, ch’egli non dovesse partir per la Mecca, facendolo ritornar in Costantinopoli mentre era in pronto per andarsene (se bene altri dicono che fosse sua invenzione per vedere come si muoveva il re) lo pose in gran speranza, che Sua Maestà si volesse servir di lui. Nell’amicizia di questo si conserva il medico Benvenisti ebreo, che per vedersi privo del donativo che Vostra Serenità gli faceva già molto tempo di 500 zecchini l’anno, quasi pretesi da lui per obligo di servizi prestati, si rende ora poco ben affetto, se bene lo dissimula. Ma si ha da lodar Dio che Vostra Serenità ora si trova libera dalla mano di tutte quest’arpie delle quali non avrà bisogno, piacendo a Sua Divina Maestà per gran pezzo, e quando anco Sciaus risorgesse, saranno ambedue sempre amicissimi di lei perché sono avarissimi, oltre che Sciaus si è sempre mostrato ben inclinato verso questo Serenissimo Dominio.

From this reports I was able to obtain, I understand next:

Safiye’s daughter Ayşe, who was from 1586 married to Ibrahim Pasha was sent with her husband to Egypt where she lived until end of reign of her father. But, there were at least two daughters of Safiye Sultan in the capital whose marriages occurred, even if their ceremonies was not reported by bailos.

In 1590, two daughters of Murad III (and Safiye) were promised respectively to governor of Rumelia (ambassadors often reffered them as beylerbeys of Greece) and Siyavuş Pasha. It seems that Sultana who was promised to governor of Rumelia was married to him latest in 1591, as her sister tried to obtain function of Kapudan Pasha for her husband (even though daughter of Rustem Pasha succeeded in her intention for obtaining that title to her son-in-law).  It also seems that her husband’s identity was Mehmed Pasha, more precisely Nişancı Kara Mehmed Pasha. Sometimes referred as Boyalı Mehmed Pasha. Mehmed Pasha died in June 1593.

I would suggest that this Sultana might be Fatma, as she would be 16 y.o., by the same age her sister Ayşe married Ibrahim Pasha. Also, as Mehmed Pasha died in June 1593, she could soon remarry. Also, there is a interesting quote in work DAMAD HALIL PASHA (d. 1603): THE LIFE AND CAREER OF A “MODERATE” OTTOMAN PASHA (pp. 1643-1644) which says that ‘’the death of Nişancı Mehmed Pasha, one of the dome viziers, on 21 June 1593 seems to have made it easier for Halil Pasha to become vizier’’.

On the other hand, there is a Sultana who was promised to Siyavuş Pasha after he was widowed after death of Fatma Sultan, sister of Murad III. From 1592  report of Matheo Zane, we find out that this Sultana is twenty-six years old and that marriage negotiations are still going on. By report from 1600, it is clear that this Sultana who was engaged to Siyavuş Pasha was Safiye’s daughter, because Girolamo Capello reported that Siyavuş Pasha refused to remarry to Murad III’s daughter and he eventually fell out of favour of Safiye Sultan. It seems that this daughter was the eldest daughter of Murad III, beside Ayşe Sultan and Fatma Sultan, who were married at the time.

Beside that

In Sicill-I Osmani cilt 1, page 26, says that daughter of Murad III named Mihrimah was the eldest daughter of her father when she died and that she married Mirahur Ahmed Pasha. Also in work Bu mülkün kadın sultanları by Sakaoğlu, Mihrimah is claimed as eldest daughter of Murad III, and that she was married to Mirahur Ahmed Pasha in 1604. But, if she was eldest daughter and was married in 1604 to Ahmed Pasha, she was 40 years old, which means she had another marriages during reign of her father and brother about whom we know nothing. I would go with her being the one trying to be married to her late aunt’s husband Siyavuş Pasha. If the description is right, and she was humpback, but not a monster, I would suggest she was maybe retired in her Palace or Topkapi Palace the most of her time because of health problems.

It seems that Murad III also had another daughter, Hümaşah, who was absolutely wronged by Alderson, he assigned her husbands of Şehzade Mehmed’s daughter Hümaşah Sultan and Şehzade Mehmed’s granddaughter Fatma Hanımsultan. Actually, thanks to Ragusan envoys, we know that she was wife of Nakkaş Hasan Pasha. According to Factions and Favourites at the Courts of Sultan Ahmed I, this marriage occurred between January and March 1605, but there are venetian reports which claim differently:

Resta quarlo Visir Assan Nacas, che in turco vuol dir pittore, per qualche gusto che ha di quella professione; e uomo di 54 anni, picciol di persona, nacque in Russia, d’ingegno sottile, poiche oltre il dipingere, sa ancora lavorare un orologio. Fu Silictar del re passato che il fece anco Visir, e gli die’in moglie una sua sorella – zia del presente Gran Signore; onde resta egli ancora parente della Maesta Sua.

Source: Relazioni degli stati Europei lette al Senato dagli ambasciatori Veneti nel secolo decimosettimo, p. 142

Also, in Journal of Ottoman Studies cilt 11 from 1991 (p. 184) and Osmanlı Devletinin Saray Teşkilatı (1984; page 165) from Uzunçarşılı, there are claims of Ahmed I fulfilling his aunt Hümaşah Sultan’s reguest for some appropriate allocations from the imperial kitchen. Most interesting is 82 numarali muhimme defteri, where Hümaşah Sultan gave in 1617 some kethudas to her nephew Ahmed I, he even refers to her as hȃlem Hümaşah Sultan (derived hrom hala, which means aunt). I strongly suggest she being daughter of Safiye Sultan, as she was given name in honour of Şehzade Mehmed’s daughter who gifted her mother to her father. I also suggest she was the youngest of her siblings, being born around 1580. As she was child in 1580s, ambassadors probably didn’t have the chance to see her and she was confined to Topkapi. She received the highest salary for princess, beside four daughters of Kösem Sultan, as she was full-sister of Sultan. She also gifts during reign of Sultan Ibrahim, and on list of fourteen princesses which received gifts from envoys in 1655, in book ‘’Acta et diplomata Ragusina’’ she is reffered as Inasce sultana moglie di Hassan pascia.

Also, there were other daughters of Murad III, who were not daughters of Safiye Sultan.

In mass marriage ceremony in 1613, seven daughters of Murad III who resided in Old Palace were given to court officials. According to book Topçular Katibi Abdülkadir Efendi Tarihi  (p. 624), we are given identities of husbands of those Sultanas

Küçük Mirahur Mehmed Aga

Mirahur-I Evvel Muslu Aga

Bostancıbaşı Hasan Aga

Cığalazade Mehmed Bey

Kurşuncuzade Mustafa Pasha

Kefe Beylerbesi Mehmed Pasha

Kapucıbaşı Topal Mehmed Pasha

Also, author puts in footnotes that there was one daughter of Murad III who married in Shaban of 1022 H. (September 1613) governor of Rumelia Ahmed Pasha.

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* In work Bu mülkün kadın sultanları by Sakaoğlu, Fahri Sultan is claimed to be married to Çukadar Ahmed Pasha in 1604, who died in 1618. Year 1604 is incorrect, as she was married to him in 1613. Additionaly, in work Searching for Osman by Tezcan Baki, on page 328, it is claimed that daughter of Murad III who married governor of Rumelia Ahmed Pasha (later governor of Damascus; died 1618)  remarried to Çerkez Mehmed Ali Pasha, who was Grand Vizier of Murad IV. Actually, this Ahmed Pasha was Mirahur Ahmed Pasha, who was governor of Damascus from 1617 until 1618 (I checked on world statesmen site). It seems that Çukadar and Mirahur Ahmed Pasha are the same person, but it seems that when Murad III’s daughter Mihrimah Sultan died, pasha was remarried to Fahri Sultan. Additionally, her marriage to Grand Vizier would explain why she received the highest salary of 430 aspers in 1639. She was not daughter of Safiye Sultan, but she was wife of Grand Vizier of Murad III, thus being given the highest salary among full-sisters of sultans. According to Ulucay, Fahri Sultan remarried to Soffi Bayram Pasha, which is true, because she was recorded in 1639 as widow of his, and received gifts from Ragusan envoys as his widow. Interestingly, it seems that she remarried during reign of Sultan Ibrahim to certain Dilaver Pasha, who was vizier under Mehmed IV and died in 1656. In list of gifts, she was referred as Fahre sultan, moglie di Dilaver pascia in 1648, 1662, 1670 and 1676. She is recorded in Acta et diplomata Ragusina, which provides gifts for fourteen Sultanas in 1655 as Faslite sultana, moglie di Lauer bassa. There are also court records from 1662:

Eyüb Mahkemesi (Havass-ı Refia) 74 Numaralı Sicil (H. 1072 - 1073 / M. 1661 - 1662)

III. Murad’ın kızı Fahrî Sultan’ın kocası Dilâver Paşa’dan intikal eden malları satan vekili Süleyman Bey’den herhangi bir alacağı kalmadığı Husûs-ı âti’l-beyânı mahallinde tahrîr için kıbel-i şer‘den bi’t-taleb irsâl olunan mevlânâ Sâlih Efendi b. Mehmed, ol dahi zeyl-i kitâbda muharrerü’l-esâmî olan müslimîn ile medîne-i hazret-i Ebâ Eyyûb el-Ensârî -dâme fî rıdvâni’l-Bârî- de vâki‘ Debbâğlar Deresi demekle ma‘rûf mahalde sâkine fahrü’l-muhadderât zevi’l-muvakkarât tâcü’l-mestûrât aliyyetü’z-zât safiyyetü’s-sıfât Fahrî Sultan bt. el-merhûm el-mebrûr ed-darrâc ilâ medârici rahmeti Rabbihi’l-gafûr Sultan Murad Hân -aleyhi’r-rahmeti ve’l-gufrân- hazretlerinin sa‘âdet-hânelerine varılıp akd-i meclis-i şer‘-i şerîf olundukda, sultân-ı müşârün-ileyhâ meclis-i ma‘kūd-ı mezkûrda, işbu kitâb-ı sıhhat-nisâbın sâhibi kıdvetü’l-emâcid ve’l-ekârim câmi‘ü’l-mehâmid ve’l-mekârim Sultanzâde Süleyman Bey b. el-merhûm Davud Paşa mahzarında tav‘an ikrâr ve takrîr-i kelâm edip bundan akdem fevt olan zevcim merhûm Dilâver Paşa zimmetinde mütekarrir olan mehr-i müeccelim mukābelesinde mecmû‘-ı muhallefâtı hatt-ı şerîf-i sa‘âdet-makrûn ile bana ihsân buyurulmağın ben dahi muhallefât-ı müteveffâ-yı mezbûru izn-i hâkim-i askerî ile sûk-ı sultânîde semen-i misli ile bey‘ ve kabz-ı semen ve bana îsâle mûmâ-ileyh Süleyman Bey’i tarafımdan vekîl ve nâib-i menâb nasb ve ta‘yîn eylediğimde ol dahi vekâlet-i mezbûreyi kabûl ve târih-i mezbûrda mahrûse-i Galata’da kassâm-ı askerî olan Hasan Efendi ma‘rifetiyle muhallefât-ı müteveffâ-yı mezbûru sûk-ı sultânîde bi’l-vekâle bey‘ ve kabz-ı semen eyledikden sonra defter-i kassâm mûcebince makbûzu olan meblağı tamamen bana def‘ ve teslîm, ben dahi kabz ve tesellüm etmişidim el-hâletü hâzihî husûs-ı mezbûra ve mütâlebât ve eymân ve muhâsamâtdan mûmâ-ileyh Süleyman Bey’in zimmetini ibrâ-i âmm-ı kātı‘ü’n-nizâ‘ ile ibrâ ve iskāt eyledim min ba‘d mûmâ-ileyh Süleyman Bey ile merhûm Dilâver Paşa muhallefâtına ve sâir husûsa müte‘allik da‘vâ ve nizâ‘ım yokdur, zuhûr dahi ederse lede’l-hükkâmi’l-kirâm kebîrihimi’llâhi’l-meliki’l-Allâm mesmû‘a ve makbûle olmasın deyicek gıbbe’t-tasdîki’ş-şer‘iyyi’l-vicâhiyyi’l-mu‘teber mâ hüve’l-vâki‘ kayd şüd. Fi’l-yevmi’s-sâbi‘ min şehri Ramazâni’l-mübârek li sene isneteyn ve seb‘în ve elf.

Also, in document dated from late 1662, which is about vakfiye of Fahri Sultan, she mentions at the end her sister Saime Sultan. Source:

11 numarali Istanbul Mahkemesi Defteri (H. 1073) pp. 303-304

On page 304, you will see Fahri Sultan refers to her as kız karındaşım Sâ’ime Sultân hazretlerini.

But, this Saime Sultan was also on list of gifts; in 1642 she was referred as wife of Topal Ahmed Pasha, and in 1648 she is referred as wife of Sarhoş Mehmed Pasha. In 1662 and 1670, she received gifts as widow, but in 1676 she was not mentioned, which means that she died in early 1670s.

One of the daughters of Murad III was Beyhan Sultan. There is a proof of her being daughter of Murad III:

Eyüb Mahkemesi (Havass-ı Refia) 37 Numaralı Sicil (H. 1047 / M. 1637 - 1638)

Beyhan Sultan bt. Sultan Murad Hân’ın tasarrufundaki menzil, bostan, çayır ve tarlaları Fâtıma Hatun bt. Abdüttevvâb’a sattığı Fahrü’l-muhadderât zahrü’l-muvakkarât tâcü’l-mestûrât, iklîletü’l-muhassenât Âişetü’z-zamân Fâtımatü’l-evân Beyhan Sultan bt. el-merhûm el-mebrûr ed-dâricü ilâ medârici’l-rahmeti’l-gafûr Sultan Murad Hân hazretlerinin taraf-ı şerîflerinden bey‘ ve tefvîz-i âti’z-zikri ikrâra vekîl olup vekâleti müşârün-ileyhâ hazretlerin ma‘rifet-i şer‘iyye ile ârifeyn olan zahrü’l-kuzât Mehmed Efendi b. ( ) el-Kadı ve Hâssa Baltacıları kethüdâsı olan el-Hâc Mehmed et-Teberdâr şehâdetleriyle sâbit olan kıdvetü’l-emâsil ve’l-akrân Câbir Ağa b. Abdülmennân mahfil-i kazâda Sultân-ı müşârün-ileyhâ hazretlerinin kethüdâları olan sâhib-i hâze’l-kitâb kıdvetü’l-muhadderât zübdetü’l-muvakkarât Fâtıma Hâtun bt. Abdüttevvâb tarafından dahi ikrâr-ı câ’i’l-beyânı tasdîka vekîl olup vekâleti mezbûre Fâtıma Hâtun’u ma‘rifet-i şer‘iyye ile ârifeyn olan Rıdvan Bey b. Abdullah ve Mustafa Bey b. Abdullah şehâdetleriyle sâbite olan fahrü’l-cüyûş Cafer Çavuş b. Abdullah muvâcehesinde bi’l-vekâle ikrâr-ı da‘vâ edip müvekkilem Sultân-ı müşârün-ileyhâ hazretlerinin silk-i mülk-i sahîhinde münselik olan emlâkinden olup Havâss-ı Aliyye kazâsı müzâfâtından Terkos nâhiyesine Kiteli nâm karyede vâki‘ bir tarafdan Osman Paşa mülkü ve bir tarafdan zikri âtî olan çiftliğe tâbi‘ olan çayır ve bir tarafı Sinan ve bir tarafı ba‘zan câmi‘-i şerîf ve ba‘zan tarîk-i âm ile mahdûd beş bâb tahtânî odayı ve bir sofayı ve bir anbarı ve harâba müşrif hamamı ve bir büyük ahırı ve bir küçük ahırı ve bir fırını ve harman kenarında vâki‘ samanlığı ve câmi‘-i şerîf kurbunda vâki‘ iki bâb tahtânî odayı müştemil çiftlik ta‘bîr olunur mülk menzilini ve menzil-i merkūm dâhilinde üç re’s kara sığır öküzünü ve demiriyle iki sabanı ve bir arabayı ve bir döğeni ve sâir âlât-ı zirâ‘at ve esbâb-ı hırâseti ve menzil-i merkūm kurbunda vâki‘ harman yerini mezbûre Fâtıma Hâtun’a fıddî nakd-i râyicü’l-vakt yetmiş beş bin akçeye tarafeynden îcâb ve kabûlü hâvî ve bey‘-i bâtt-ı sahîh-i şer‘î ve safka-i vâhide ile bey‘ ve teslîm edip ol dahi minvâl-i muharrer üzre iştirâ ve tesellüm eyledikden sonra yine karye-i mezbûre sınırı dâhilinde mevâzi‘-i adîdede vâki‘ ma‘lûmü’l-hudûd olup merhûm ve mağfûrun-leh Sultan Bayezid Hân -aleyhi’r-rahmetü ve’l-gufrân- hazretlerinin evkāf-ı şerîfesinden olan bir kıt‘a bostan yerinin ve beş kıt‘a çayırın ve tahmîmen yetmiş beş müd tohum istî‘âb eder elli kıt‘a tarlaların dahi hakk-ı tasarrufunu, mezbûrü’n-na‘t yirmi beş bin akçe bedel-i tefvîz ve evkāf-ı mezbûre mütevellîsi ma‘rifetiyle mezbûre Fâtıma Hâtun’a tevfîz edip ol dahi minvâl-i meşrûh üzre tefevvuz ve kabûl eyledikden sonra semen-i merkūm yetmiş beş bin akçe ve bedel-i tefvîz olan yirmi beş bin akçe cem‘an yüz bin akçeyi bi tamâmihî mezbûre Fâtıma Hâtun yedinden ahz ve kabz eyledi ba‘de’l-yevm zikr olunan emlâk-i mezbûre Fâtıma Hâtun’un mülk-i müşterâsı ve bostan ve çayırlar ve tarlalar dâhil-i taht-ı tasarrufu olmuşdur. Keyfe mâ teşâ’ ve tahtâr mutasarrıfe olsun dedikde vekîl-i mûmâ-ileyh Çâker Ağa’nın bi’l-vekâle cârî olan ikrâr-ı meşrûhunu vekîl-i âhar Cafer Çavuş bi’l-vekâle vicâhen tasdîk ve şifâhen tahkīk edicek mâ hüve’l-vâki‘ ketb olundu. Hurrire fi’l-yevmi’l-ışrîn min Şevvâli’l-mükerrem li sene seb‘a ve erba‘în ve elf.

It seems that Beyhan Sultan was recorded in 1648 as widow of Nideli Mustafa Pasha, who was actually Nigdeli Mustafa Pasha, who was killed in rebellion 1632. He was briefly Kapudan Pasha, governor of Egypt and defterdar. It seems that Beyhan Sultan was granted almost the highest salary (415 aspers) because of her husband’s positions during reign of Murad IV. She wasn’t of list of sultanas in 1655, so she died before that year.

I just don’t know if Nigdeli Mustafa Pasha is the same Mustafa Pasha that one of the daughters of Murad III married in 1613.

It seems that on list of gifts in 1642, there was daughter of Murad III named Abide Sultan who was wife of Muslu Pasha. Muslu Pasha was one of grooms in weddings of 1613.

There was also daughter of Murad III called Gevherhan Sultan, who died before 1639/1642, but was still alive in 1624, and was most probably wife of Bostancıbaşı Hasan Aga

Rumeli Sadâreti Mahkemesi 40 Numaralı Sicil (H. 1033-1034 / M. 1623-1624)

Vefat eden Hasan Paşa’nın III. Murad’ın kızı Gevherhan Sultan’a mehir borcu olduğu Bi’l-fi‘l atabe-i aliyyede baş defterdâr kāimmakāmı olan emîrü’l-ümerâi’l-kirâm kebîrü’l-küberâi’l-fihâm sâhibü’d-devleti ve’l-ikbâl sâhibü zeyli’l-izz ve’l-iclâl câmi‘u vücûhi’l-emvâl âmirü’l-hazâini bi-ahseni’l-a‘mâl Mehmed Paşa -dâme ikbâluhû- Dîvân-ı âlî -dâme mahfûfen bi’l-me‘âlî-’devüzerâ-i kirâm zümresinden olup azm-i dârü’s-selâm eden merhûm Hasan Paşa’nın halîle-i celîleleri dürre-i iklîlü’d-devleti’l-aliyye gurreti cebînü’l-hilâfeti’l-behiyye tâcü fırakı’n-nisvân min men lehünne ulüvvü’ş-şân sâhibetü’s-sa‘âdeti ve’l-ihsân sâhibetü zeyli’n-ni‘meti ve’l-ihsân Fâtımatü’z-zamân Âişetü’l-evân hazret-i Gevherhân Sultan bt. es-sultâni’l-a‘zam ve’l-hâkāni’l-ekrem el-merhûm el-mebrûr es-sultan Murad Hân -beşşerahullâhü te‘âlâ bi-rahmetihî minhü ve rıdvân- cenâb-ı ismet-meâblarından husûs-ı âtîye vekîl olup vekâleti nehc-i şer‘î üzere sâbite olan merhûm müşârun-ileyhin kethüdâsı fahrü’l-iştibâh Mehmed Ağa b. Abdullah mahzarında takrîr-i kelâm edip merhûm-ı mezbûrun Rumeli’nde vâki‘ hâssları mahsûlü bin otuz üç senesi Martı ibtidâsından sene-i kâmile tamâmına varınca merhûm-ı mezbûrun voyvodalarına ber vech-i maktû‘ deruhde olunmuş olup hâlâ müşârun-ileyh Hasan Paşa merhûm olmağla havâss-ı mezbûre cânib-i mîrîden zabt olunmak lâzım geldikde müşârun-ileyhâ sultan hazretleri dahi sene tamâmına varınca yine havâss-ı mezbûreyi merhûm-ı müşârun-ileyhin voyvodaları zabt edip sene tamâmına değin cümle mahsûlü vezîr-i müşârun-ileyhin mûmâ-ileyhâ sultan hazretlerine mehr-i müeccelinden olan deyni için sultan hazretlerine teslîm olunmak üzere vekîl-i mezbûr Mehmed Ağa yediyle Hazîne-i âmireye on iki yük akçe teslîm olunmağın ber vech-i meşrûh cânib-i mîrîden dahi deruhde olunmuşdur min-ba‘d havâss-ı merkūmeyi sene tamâmına varınca yine merhûm-ı müşârun-ileyhin voyvodaları zabt edip cümle mahsûl sultan hazretlerine teslîm olunup muhassıl ve müfettiş ve ümenâ taraflarından kat‘â dahl olunmayıp ta‘arruz olunmamak üzere yedlerine emr-i şerîf-i âlîşân verilmişdir dedikde gıbbe’t-tasdîk vicâhen mâ-hüve’l-vâkı‘ bi’t-taleb ketb olundu.

Also, there was daughter of Murad III called Rukiye Sultan, but we know nothing about her except she was also daughter of Şemsiruhsar Hatun.

There was one more daughter of Murad III whose name we know, Hatice Sultan. She was married in 1613 to governor of Kefe Mehmed Pasha. She was still alive in 1639, when she was recorded in harem records as wife of late Mehmed Pasha-i Kefe. She was might remarried during reign of Sultan Ibrahim to some Magrip pascia, as she is recorded in 1648.

So, my final stating is as follows:

Mihrimah Sultan (1564 — before 1613); daughter with Safiye. Her marriages went unnoticed, she was might engaged in 1590 to Siyavuş Pasha, who later refused to remarry. She was married to Mirahur Ahmed Pasha in 1604. She died during reign of her nephew Ahmed I, and after her death her husband remarried to her sister Fahri Sultan.

Ayşe Sultan (1570 — 15 May 1605); daughter with Safiye, married firstly in 1586 to Ibrahim Pasha, married secondly in 1602 to Yemişci Hasan Pasha and lastly married in 1604 to Mahmud Pasha.

Fatma Sultan (1574 — 1620); daughter with Safiye. Might married firstly in 1590 to Nişancı Kara Mehmed Pasha, married in December 1593 to Halil Pasha, married in 1604 to Cafer Pasha (vizier, kapudan pasha (1606-1608), governor of Cyprus until his death in 1609). Öztuna claims she married two more times; in 1610 married kubbe vizier Hizir Pasha (d. 1610) and in 1611 to Murad Pasha.

Hümaşah Sultan (1580 — before 1662); daughter with Safiye. Married in late reign of Mehmed III or early reign of Ahmed I to Nakkaş Hasan Pasha. She was still alive in 1655, but died before 1662.

Fahri Sultan (1594? — 1579?); married in 1613 to Ahmed Pasha (once Mirahur), who was once married to her sister Mihrimah Sultan. After his death in 1618, she remarried Çerkez Mehmed Ali Pasha, who was Grand Vizier under Murad IV. After his death she remarried Soffu Bayram Pasha, and after his death she remained a widow for long time, receiving highest salaries among Ottoman princesses as once she was wife of Grand Vizier. During reign of Sultan Ibrahim lastly married to Dilaver Pasha. After his death, she received gifts as his widow in 1662, 1670 and 1676. She was omitted from gifts in late 1670s and she complained to Grand Vizier (Miović; p. 166). She was longest-lived child of Murad III.

Beyhan Sultan (?? — before 1655); married in 1613 to Kurucubasi Mustafa Pasha, remarried later to Nigdeli Mustafa Pasha.

Hatice Sultan (?? — after 1639); married in 1613 to governor of Kefe Mehmed Pasha.

Gevherhan Sultan (?? — after 1624); married to Bostancibasi Hasan Aga.

Saime Sultan (?? — before 1676); had at least three husbands during lifetime. Shie died in first half of 1670s.

Abide Sultan (?? — before 1648); married in 1613 to Muslu Aga. She died during reign of Sultan Ibrahim.

Rukiye Sultan (?? — ??); daughter of Şemsiruhsar Hatun, maybe one of the princesses married in 1613.

2 unknown daughters

I hope you like my analysis, and that I gave you interesting sources, reading and insights. I can't wait for your reaction and comments!

You really worked hard!! Thank you for sharing this with me, I really appreciate it. (I think you should be the one running this blog lmao)

Ottoman history is kind of a pain in the ass because Ottomanists do not speak to each other, apparently; one discovers something but that something gets ignored by everyone else. Also, Turkish historians tend to not use foreign sources, and it’s such a pity because there is so much information in ambassadorial reports.

I’m not sure Mihrimah was the eldest child of Murad III. Only Sicill-i Osmani says this (Sakaoğlu just cites it) and she was not given a “famous” husband, while Ayşe married Damad Ibrahim Pasha. Unless, as you said, she had some health problem so her marriage was delayed until Ahmed I finally “forced” her to get married like his other aunts. I’m sorry if I sound stupid but I don’t understand how you calculated her age 😭. Oh wait, did you just assume a year before Mehmed III? She undoubtedly existed, though.

About the marriages of Ahmed I’s aunts, I would add this from Ragusian diplomats:

30 June 1613: “...quel medesimo giorno che noi arivamo qui si sposso una delle sultane, zia del Gran Signore per suo Capicilar Chiehaia e l’altra si dice che la setimana prosima si sposara per il Beglerbei d’Urumelia stato prima Aga di Gianizari [Mirahur Ahmed Pascià — Mihrimah!!]; et cossi di mano in mano le altre cinque ...” 17 July 1613: “Questi giorni passati dopo l’arivo nostro si sono maritate tre soltane zie del Gran Signore figliole di Murat, et altre quatro sono sposate le quali fra quatro setimane si maritarano ancor loro, le maritate sono una per il Beglerbei di Romania, l’altra per il Bostangi Bascia gran nemico nostro..., la terza soltana vi e maritata per il Capicilar Ciechaia, ancor lui homo di cativo porto, et mal disposto verso le cose nostre..., le quatro soltane sposate vi sono una per il Pascia di Cairo l’altra per l’Aga di Gianizari la terza per il Ciuciuch Ibrachor Basci, e la quatra per Basc Capici Basci del Gran Signore, vi sono adesso quindeci soltane...”

These two dispatches seem to confirm the information you found in Topçular Katibi Abdülkadir Efendi Tarihi.

It would make sense for Safiye to be Ayşe, Fatma, Mihrimah and Hümaşah’s mother because their names carry meaning for Murad III (well, Ayşe and Fatma are for religious reasons) so I would venture they’re his eldest daughters.

About one of the husbands in the 1613 mass marriage, I have found — do not ask me where, I don’t remember — that Sülün Muslu Pasha was a vizier during the reign of Ahmed I. He could be Abide’s husband, as the Ragusians called him “Sulun Muslia”.

What about (in Öztuna):

MlHRBÂN SULTÂN: Med.Murâd III T. =Dâmâd Topal Mehmed Ağa, kapıcıbaşı, izd.21.2.1613.

Did you find anything about her? Uluçay, on the other hand, didn’t assign a husband to her but said that she was buried in the mausoleum of Murad III (the source is Hadikatü’l-Cevami). He also cited Uzunçarşılı’s Osmanlı Devletinin Saray Teşkilatı, page 162, but I couldn’t find anything about her in there. Or maybe it’s just Mihrimah but Hadikatü’l-Cevami called her Mihriban. According to Alderson, she was a consort instead.

Off topic but I can’t believe that Saime is an actual name because it’s so original. I spent hours trying to find an Ottoman name who sounded like Seime, when I first found it in Ragusian reports 😭

Anyway, you’re a really good historian!!

[reallifesultanas]

Lets talk about Ümmügülsüm Sultan

There is a chance, that Kösem and Ahmed had another daughter together: Ümmügülsüm.

I am so glad, that with Anonymous sender and Ottomanladies, the truth came to light. Ottomanladies answered very long and very detailed about Ümmügülsüm, she shared her thoughts about the topic, now, here, you can find a conclusion from me:

What we know:

A privy purse register from 1622 gives the names of five unmarried princesses, who may be daughters of Ahmed, Osman II, and even Mehmed III: Umm-i Külsum(=Ümmügülsüm), Hanzade, Halime, Fatma, and Akile. Hanzade and Fatma were Kösem's daughters; Akile is possibly mistaken for Atike or Abide; Halime might be Mehmed III's daughter, named after her mother, Halime. But Ümmügülsüm was less clear.

The relazione of Angelo Alessandri from 1637 says that Murad IV had four FULL-sisters. We know three of them: Ayse, Fatma, and Hanzade. But who could be the fourth? Gevherhan was already dead, Atike was well-knownly not a full-sister and also not Abide. Maybe Ümmügülsüm?

There are some decisions and letters of Murad IV, where he mentions Ümmügülsüm as a sister of his. He uses the same wording that he used for Ayse, who undoubtedly was his full-sister, suggesting Ümmügülsüm was also a full-sister of his.

The 1638/39 harem registers mention one Ümmügülsüm Sultan who received the highest payments besides the three already known daughters of Kösem (Ayse, Fatma, Hanzade) and two daughters of Murad III. This means she could be either the daughter of Murad III or Ahmed I. But since Ahmed I's other daughter, Atike - who was not Kösem's - got a lesser stipend, if Ümmügülsüm is Ahmed I's daughter, she had to be Kösem's daughter too and so she is the fourth full-sister of Sultan Murad IV.

In 1648 the Raguzan envoy also mentions her (possibly her as they use the name Iumi), as the wife of Ahmed Pasha, governor of Herzegovina. They probably married ~1642 until the pasha's death in 1648. This was her second marriage, her first husband was one Halil Pasha, with whom she married before 1638.

In book ''Whisper of the cities'' one Ümmühan Sultan is mentioned as she met with the English ambassador's wife. Based on her, Ümmühan was said to be the aunt of deposed Mehmed IV and sister of Ibrahim I. This happened in 1690, so she still was alive then.

There are still questions:

Why no historian ever discovered this information as none of the evidence is new?

Why Ümmi is not mentioned among Ahmed I's children?

Where is she buried? *

When was she born? *

Why Ibrahim did not force her to serve Telli Hümasah (his wife) when he did it to all of the other daughters of Kösem?

To be honest the burial place of Ahmed I is quite a mess. For example there are two sarcofagies for 'Zeynep' daughters of Ahmed I. One of the sarcofagies stands for an adult woman. There was no daughter of Ahmed, called Zeynep who reached adulthood. So maybe the name is mistaken and that Ümmügülsüm. Maybe she was buried somewhere else as she lived a quite long life, survivin everyone around her and her grave is not idetified yet.

Considering the known children of Kösem and their birth date, the most possible for Ümmügülsüm is that she was born during the late reign of Ahmed I. In 1605 Kösem gave birth to Mehmed; in 1606 or 1607 to Ayse; then in 1607 or 1608 to Fatma; in 1609 to Hanzade. While I see that there is a gap here for one more child (if Kösem got pregnant extremely rapidly), she cannot be older than Fatma, as she was also not married off in 1622 yet, and also since we know quite precisely the sequence of these daughters, I do not think another one was born here but no one knows about her. It would be strange. Then in 1612, she gave birth to Murad, but between him and Hanzade there was time for another child - let it be Selim who was born in 1611 or Ümmügülsüm. Then Kasim followed Murad quite quickly, he was born in 1614, and then Ibrahim came in 1615, so there was no time for anyone else between Murad and Ibrahim. After 1615 there is another chance for the birth of Ümmügülsüm. So she either was born after Hanzade (~1611), or after Ibrahim (~1616). Either way - considering she was not just still alive in 1690, but was surely not suffering, dying since she was involved in the diplomacy meeting - she possibly died in the 1690s, she very probably reached 80 maybe even more in the end.

[ottomanladies]

Can you list some information about Abdulmecid I’s children with some information about them just like you did for Ahmed III harem + children.

Sorry for the long wait but... the guy had 42 children

Mevhibe Sultan (1840-1841), with Hoşyar Kadın: lived for only 8 months, was buried in the Hamidiye Mausoleum

Sultan V. Murad Han (1840-1904), with Şevkefza Valide Sultan: 33rd Ottoman sultan, he reigned for only 93 days, after which he was deposed on the grounds of "perpetual insanity"

Naime Sultan (1840-1843), with Tirimüjgan Kadın: Abdülhamid II's elder sister, she died of smallpox

Fatma Sultan (1840-1884), with Gülcemal Kadın: Mehmed V's eldest sister and Murad V's favourite sister. She had two husbands: Dâmâd'Alî Gaalib Paşa and Dâmâd Mehmed Nûrî Paşa, which she outlived. Her three children died in infancy and she spent the last years of her life confined in her villa in Istanbul because she had tried to reinstate Murad V on the throne. She died at the age of 44 and was buried in Murad V's mausoleum.

Behiye Sultan (1841-1847), mother unknown: she died at the age of 6 and was buried in the mausoleum of Refia Sultan. Her mother was "Her Highness, the Second Ikbal"

Neyyire Sultan (1841-1843), with Şayeste Hanım: she died at the age of 3 and was buried in the Nurosmaniye Mosque.

Refia Sultan (1842-1880), with Gülcemal Kadın: Mehmed V's elder sister. She was married to Dâmâd Mahmûd Edham Paşâ and had a daughter with him. Refia was extremely educated, like her sisters, as her father had insisted for them to be educated both in traditional and western subjects. Contrary to her younger sister Cemile, whom her father constantly lauded, Refia was a true spendthrift and her debts were staggering for just one person.

Hatice Sultan (1842-1842), with Gülcemal Kadın

Sultan II. Abdülhamid Han (1842-1918), with Tirimüjgan Kadın: 34th Ottoman Sultan, he was deposed by the Young Turks in 1909 and exiled to Thessalonika. None of his sons would ascend the throne.

Aliye Sultan (1842-1845), with Şevkefza Valide Sultan: younger sister of Murad V, she was 2 when she died and was buried in the New Mosque

Mehmed Ziyaeddin Efendi (1842-1845), with Nesrin Hanım:

Cemile Sultan (1843-1915), with Düzdidil Hanım: her mother died when she was 3, so she was raised by Rahime Perestu, future Valide Sultan. She was therefore very close to her older brother Abdülhamid II, who had been raised by Rahime Perestu as well. She married Dâmâd Mahmûd Celaleddîn Paşa in 1858, when she was fifteen. Her husband was the second son of Dâmâd Ahmed Fethî Paşa (husband of Mahmud II's daughter, Atiye Sultan) from his first wife. Fındıklı Palace was built for them. Together they had 6 children: Fethiye Hanım-Sultân (1859 - 1887), Sultân-zâde Besim Beyefendi (died at the age of 2), Sultân-zâde Sâkıb Beyefendi (1864 - 1897), Sultân-zâde Mehmed Mahmûd Celâleddîn Beyefendi (1864 - 1916), 'Ayşe Şıdıka Hanım-Sultân (1875 - 1937?), Fatma Hanım-Sultân (1879 - 1890)

Sultan V. Mehmed Reşad Han (1844-1918), with Gülcemal Kadın: 35th Ottoman Sultan, he was enthroned by the Young Turks after the deposition of Abdülhamid II and was the last sultan to die in office.

Münire Sultan (1844-1862), with Verdicenan Kadın: she firstly married the son of the Egyptian Khedive, İbrahim İlhami Paşa, and the costly wedding ceremony attracted a lot of criticism because the Imperial Army had just been defeated in Montenegro. The marriage lasted only two years, as İbrahim İlhami Paşa died at only 24 years old. She therefore married Lieutenant General Dâmâd İbrahim Paşa, with whom she had a son: Sultân-zâde 'Alâeddîn Beyefendi (1861 - 1915?). She was buried in the mausoleum of her great-grandmother, Nakşıdil Valide Sultan.

Samiye Sultan (1845-1845), mother unknown: she was buried in the New Mosque. Her mother had been listed as "Her Highness, the Third Kadinefendi"

Ahmed Efendi (1846-1846), with Nükhetseza Hanım: he was buried in the New Mosque inside the mausoleum of Refia Sultan

Fatma Nazime Sultan (1847-1847), mother unknown: she was buried in the mausoleum of Refia Sultan

Sabiha Sultan (1848-1849), with Mehtab Kadın: she was buried in the mausoleum of Refia Sultan

Mehmed Abid Efendi (1848-1848), with Tirimüjgan Kadın: he was buried in the mausoleum of Refia Sultan

Ahmed Kemaleddin Efendi (1848-1905), with Verdicenan Kadın: he was a supporter of Murad V's rights to the throne and was in a bad relationship with her other older brother, Abdulhamid II. He married his only consort, Fatma Sezâ-dil Hanımefendi, in 1876, and had two daughters with her: Atiyetullah Sultan (1878-1878) and Münire Sultan (1880-1939). His daughter married Dâmâd Mehmed Sâlih Paşa in 1907 and had a son, Sultân-zâde Ahmed Kemâleddîn (Keredin) Beyefendi (1908-1987), clearly named after her father.

Atiyetullah Efendi (?-?)

Mehmed Fuad Efendi (died in infancy), with Nergizu Hanım: he was buried in the mausoleum of Refia Sultan

Behice Sultan (1848-1876), with Nesrin Hanım: she lost her mother at the age of 3 and contracted tuberculosis in childhood. She lived secluded all her life and her sisters Refia and Seniha always sent her letters to cheer her up, even though they knew that Behice's illness had reached the final stage by the time she had turned 20. In her letters, Behice came across as frustrated, jealous of her sisters' freedom and extremely sensitive. Her dowry had been prepared by her father but her illness always prevented her from getting married, even though that was her dream. Finally, her uncle Abdülaziz consented, and Behice married Dâmâd Halil Hamîd Beyefendi on 16 November 1876. Unfortunately, the princess died just 20 days later at the age of 28. She was buried in the mausoleum of Münire Sultan.

Mehmed Burhaneddin Efendi (1849-1876), with Nükhetseza Hanım: he was Abdülhamîd II's favourite brother, who also named a warship after him. He had two consorts: Mest-i Niyâz Hanımefendi and Şâd-rûy Hanımefendi. From his first consort, he had an unnamed daughter (1876? -1890?) and Ibrahim Tevfik Efendi (1874-1931). He was buried in the mausoleum of his father Abdülmecid

Rukiye Sultan (1850-1850), with Gülcemal Kadın:

Mukbile Sultan (1850-1850), mother unknown: buried in the mausoleum of Refia Sultan, her mother had been listed as "Her Highness, the Fourth Ikbal"

Mehmed Vamık Efendi (1850-1850), mother unknown: buried in the mausoleum of Refia Sultan

Nizameddin Efendi (1850-1853), with Nesrin Hanım: twin of Bahaeddin Efendi, he was buried in the mausoleum of Murad V

Bahaeddin Efendi (1850-1852), with Nesrin Hanım: twin of Nizameddin Efendi, he was buried in the mausoleum of Refia Sultan

Ahmed Nureddin Efendi (1852-1885), with Mehtab Kadın: he had two consorts, Nazlı Emşâl Hanımefendi and an unnamed one, but no children. He died at the age of 33 and was buried in the mausoleum of Murad V

Mehmed Rüşdü Efendi (1852-1852), with Ceylanyar Hanım: buried in the Hamidiye Tomb.

Osman Safiyeddin Efendi (1852-1855), with Ayşe Serfiraz Hanım: buried in the mausoleum of Abdülmecid I

Seniha Sultan (1853-1931), with Nalandil Hanım: she married Dâmâd Âsaf Mahmûd Celaleddîn Paşa (the son of Dâmâd Halil Rifat Paşa after the death of Saliha Sultan, daughter of Mahmud II) in 1877. Celaleddîn Paşa wasn't particularly trusted by Abdülhamid II but was nevertheless appointed vizier. Seniha and her husband participated in the Ali Suavi Incident, actually a conspiracy to dethrone Abdulhamid II and re-instate Murad V, the failure of which - among other things - prompted Celaleddîn Paşa to leave the Ottoman empire and settle in Bruxelles. Together, they had two sons: Sultân-zâde Mehmed Sabâhaddîn Beyefendi (1877-1948) and Sultân-zâde Ahmed Lutfullâh Beyfendi (1880-1973). Her son Sabâhaddîn was a vocal critic of Abdülhamid II's regime and was actually the leader of a faction inside the Young Turks movement which advocated some of the same liberal principles of the CUP but instead favoured administrative decentralization and European assistance. At the time of the Dynasty's exile from Turkey, Seniha Sultan was the eldest princess alive. She lived with Mehmed VI in Sanremo until his death, then moved to Nice, where the last Caliph Abdülmecid II had settled down but was not in favour because she was part of the "Mecid branch" of the family. She spent her last years bedridden in a room inside the caliph's villa and Nice and died there in 1931. She was buried in the Sultan Selim Mosque in Damascus.

Abdullah Efendi (1853-1853), with Şayeste Hanım: stillborn

Mehmed Abdüssamed Efendi (1853-1855), with Nalandil Hanım: buried in the mausoleum of his father

Zekiye Sultan (1855-1856), with Gülistu Kadın: twin of Fehime Sultan, was buried in the mausoleum of Münîre Sultân

Fehime Sultan (1855-1856), with Gülistu Kadın: twin of Fehime Sultan, was buried in the mausoleum of Münîre Sultân

Mediha Sultan (1856-1928), with Gülistu Kadın: elder sister of Mehmed VI, she fell in love with the son of Sâmi Paşa and started corresponding with him. When Abdülhamid II found out, he sent Necib Bey at the embassy in Paris. Mediha was devastated: she would not drink, eat or sleep. Her step-mother Verdicenan asked Rahime Perestu Valide Sultan's help, and together they were able to convince Abdülhamid to let the princess marry Necib Bey, which she did in 1879. Mediha had a son with him, Sultân-zâde 'Abdurrahmân Sâmî Beyefendi (1880-1961), but her happiness was short-lived: her husband died in 1885 at the age of 29. In 1886, she married her second husband, Dâmâd Mehmed Ferîd Paşa, but had no children with him.

Naile Sultan (1856-1882), with Şayeste Hanım: she married Dâmâd Çerkes Kabasakâl Mehmed Paşa who, according to Ayşe Osmanoğlu, was a brother of Abdülhamid II's consort Bidar Kadın. They had no children. She was buried in the mausoleum of Murad V

Bedia Sultan (1857-1858), with Ayşe Serfiraz Hanım: she was buried in the mausoleum of  Münîre Sultân.

Selim Süleyman Efendi (1860-1909), with Ayşe Serfiraz Hanım: he had 5 consorts:  Filiz-san Hanımefendi, Emîne Câvidân Hanımefendi, Fatma ikbâl Hanımefendi, 'Ayşe Tarz-ı ter (Tarz-ender) Hanımefendi and Zât-ı Melek Hanımefendi. His children were: Mehmed 'Abdülhalîm Efendi (1894-1926), Emine Naciye Sultan (1896-1961), and Damad Mehmed Şerefeddin Efendi (1904-1966)

Sultan VI. Mehmed Vahideddin Han (1861-1926), with Gülistu Kadın: last sultan of the Ottoman Empire, he was deposed in 1922 when the Republic of Turkey was proclaimed and exiled in 1924. He died in Sanremo, Italy

[ottomanladies]

The daughters of Mehmed III

As it is known, Mehmed III's reign is quite obscure when we talk about his family: his consorts were overshadowed by Safiye Sultan and of his daughters we don't even know their names.

However, recently I have encountered some bits of information about Mehmed III's daughters that got me thinking:

“A privy purse register from 1622 gives the names of five unmarried princesses, who may be daughters of Ahmed, Osman II, and even Mehmed III: Umm-i Külsum, Hanzade, Halime, Fatma, and Akile.” – Baki Tezcan, Searching for Osman: A Reassessment of the Deposition of the Ottoman Sultan Osman II (1618-1622)

So, Hanzade and Fatma are Ahmed I's daughters as Hanzade was married in 1623 and Fatma in 1624. Umm-i Külsum is a different transliteration of Ümmügülsüm, but this is everything I have to say about this princess; the next Ümmügülsüm Sultan was a daughter of Ibrahim's but it is not clear whether he had a connection with this first princess or not.

On the contrary, the other two princesses - Halime and Akile - have very interesting names: neither names are dynastic, which would prompt me to say that they had a meaning to the sultan whose daughters they were. I am very big champion of this because dynastic names are common in any royal house and usually variations mean that this or that child was named in honour of someone else. I could give you clear examples of this but I do not want to blab too much.

Could Halime Sultan be a daughter of Mehmed III's? My first thought was that it's the name of one of his daughters with Halime Sultan, clearly, but I don't think she was (unless Halime had more than two daughters, of course): neither of Halime's daughters were unmarried in 1622. One of them had already been dead, as her husband had remarried in 1620, and the other was still married to Kara Davud Paşa. Among Ahmed I’s daughters who died little, Öztuna does not mention a Halime Sultan (they’re Zahide, Esma, Hatice and Zeyneb), so I don’t think she was one of his daughters but rather one of his sisters. As for Osman II, we have information only on one daughter, Zeyneb Sultan, who died in infancy.

The other princess, Akile, could be a mistake in writing Atike or Abide, Ahmed I’s daughters, who were both unmarried at the time. I know it sounds fishy but Peirce has noted that mistakes were quite frequently in harem records. If we consider Akile one of Ahmed I’s daughters, maybe Umm-i Külsum could have been a second name of either Atike or Abide. Atike is usually called Burnaz Atike so the one with a second name could have been Abide. 

At the same time the name Akile is very interesting because it was the name of Osman II's legal wife, Akile Hatun. While Peirce says that the marriage was unconsummated, the Venetian ambassador Giustinian says that Akile had apartments in the Old Palace and it was there that Osman II went for the consummation. Öztuna says that she was mother to twins Şehzade Mustafa (1622-1623) and Zeynep Sultan (1622-1623?); Akile may have been a second name of Zeynep Sultan or another child altogether.

"A document dated 15 N 1014/24 January 1606 refers to a certain Şah Sultan as the sister of Ahmed; [...] Şah Sultan may be a third daughter of Mehmed III, as married princesses are usually referred to with the name of their husbands [...]; but she may also be the wife of Davud Pasha, as their marriage was not yet consummated at this point." – Baki Tezcan, Searching for Osman: A Reassessment of the Deposition of the Ottoman Sultan Osman II (1618-1622)

This is a very important piece of information: one of Ahmed I's sisters was called Şah. Unfortunately, we don't know if she was Davud's wife, so Halime's daughter, or another princess altogether. The date of the document is frustrating, because the marriage between Mehmed III's daughter and Kara Davud Paşa was consummated only in March 1606. In any case, one of Mehmed III’s daughters was called Şah Sultan.

“S'attrova anco il re diverse sorelle da marito, et molte di più zie" // "The king [Ahmed I] likewise has found himself with several sisters of marriageable age, and even more aunts" – Ottaviano Bon, 1609

Again, very interesting. Ottaviano Bon talks of "several sisters" all adults or at least teenagers. Several doesn't mean one or two but a larger number. About his aunts, we know that Murad III had a lot of children so that is not surprising. What is surprising is the large number of sisters Ahmed I seems to have had.

"Ha tre figliuoli maschi e una femmina: questa di età di 18 anni ed ha discorso con alcuni bascià che la pretendono per moglie, come Mahmud, e il bascià del Cairo, ma non si mariterà se prima non si fa il ritaglio del primogenito, [...] tutti questi sono di una madre, e l'ultimo che ha 3 o 4 anni ha nome Osmano." // "He [Mehmed III] has three sons and a daughter: she is 18 years old, and [Mehmed III] has talked with some pashas who want her as wife, like Mahmud and the pasha of Il Cairo, but she won't get married until the firstborn son is circumcised, [...] all of them are from the same mother, and the last [son] who is 3 or 4 years old is named Osman" – 8 June 1600, Agostino Nani

I have included this bit for the sake of being thorough. I am not sure that Nani's information is accurate because in other parts of his report he says that Ahmed was the eldest son and that Mahmud was his full-brother. Also, this Prince Osman… we have never heard of him? Though of course he could be right and we simply don't have information on every single child of Mehmed III's. What is interesting here is that the princess is probably Mehmed III's eldest child because she was born in the same year of his circumcision. Now, Donà says that his first children were all by the same woman (ie. Handan Sultan); if he did not make a mistake, Mehmed III's eldest daughter was also Ahmed I's elder sister (I doubt that Mehmed had had another child before this daughter because the timeline is very tight as it is, if Donà is right and his only children born when he was a prince were all by Handan Sultan)

To all of this (and to make matters even more complicated) I'd add: 

Öztuna says, in Dynasties, that Mirahur Mustafa Paşa's wife was called Hatice. 

Now, Mirahur Mustafa Paşa's wife went on to marry Cigalazade Sinan Paşa’s son Mahmud Bey in 1612, and died before 1620, the date of Mahmud Bey's second wedding. About her we also know that, according to Tezcan, she was a daughter of Halime so it seems that one of Mehmed III and Halime Sultan’s daughters was called Hatice.

"Ayşe S., f. Mehmed III        Türbe de Destârî Mustafa Pacha, son époux"  – found in Juliette Dumas, The Perles de Nacre du Sultanat (actual source: Vatin et Yerasimos, Les cimetières dans la ville : 164-166 notice 422.)

I checked and Destari Mustafa Paşa was indeed a vizier of Mehmed III's and is sometimes referred to as "Damad". M. Orhan Bayrak clearly states in İstanbul'da gömülü meşhur adamlar: VIII. yüzyıl-1998 that he was a Damad of Mehmed III's and Ayşe Sultan's husband. Dumas adds that their children were buried in the same mausoleum so it was not a marriage between a child and a grown man. Mustafa Paşa died in 1610 and his wife was laid to rest next to him but we don't know when she died. That they were already married during Mehmed III's reign makes me think that she must have been already a teenager at the time and so I'd venture and say that she was one of Handan's daughters (maybe the one Nani talked about?). In any case, an Ayşe Sultan daughter of Mehmed III existed indeed.

To wrap this very long post up: 

One of Mehmed III's daughters with Halime was - most probably - called Hatice

Another princess was called Şah Sultan

Destari Mustafa Paşa's wife and Mehmed III's daughter was called Ayşe Sultan and could have been a daughter of Handan's

Mehmed III had more than four daughters (two by Handan and two by Halime), as one of Ahmed I’s first problems were his sisters’ marriages.