#fahriye 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.

--------------------------------------

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.

--------------------------------

* 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 etmi��idim 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!!

[sevgilisultana]

Sultanate of Women (3/7)

Afife Nurbanu Sultan (c.1525/ 7 December 1583)

Daughter of Nicolo Venier and Violanta Baffo

Haseki Sultan (Legal Wife) of Sultan Selim II and Valide Sultan of Sultan Murad III

Mother of Sultan Murad III, Sah Sultan, Ismihan Sultan, Gevherhan Sultan, and Fatma Sultan

Grandmother of Sultan Mehmed III, Sehzade Mahmud, Sehzade Mustafa, Sehzade Oman, Sehzade Bayezid, Sehzade Selim, Sehzade Cihangir, Sehzade Abdullah, Sehzade Ahmed, Sehzade Yakub, Sehzade Alemsah, Sehzade Yusuf, Sehzade Hüseyin, Sehzade Korkud, Sehzade Ali, Sehzade Ishak, Sehzade Alaeddin, Sehzade Davud, Sehzade Suleiman, Sehzade Yahya, Hümasah Sultan, Ayse Sultan, Fatma Sultan, Mihrimah Sultan, Rukiye Sultan, Mihriban Sultan, and Fahriye Sultan.

Mother-in-law of Çakırcıbaşı Hasan Pasha, Zal Mahmud Pasha, Sokullu Mehmed Pasha, Kalaylıkoz Ali Pasha, Safiye Sultan, Piyale Pasha, Cerrah Mehmed Pasha, and Kanijeli Siyavuş Pasha

Fun Fact For Newbies: Nurbanu Sultan was born Cecilia Venier-Baffo

[reallifesultanas]

Portraits of the daughters of Murad III / Murad III lányainak portréja

Sultan Murad III has had at least 28 daughters born in his lifetime, but only a few of them are known by their names. Most of his daughters are lost in history as they died young or simply were insignificants in the political fields. During the epidemic of 1597-98, at least 17 daughters of Murad died. His two best-known daughters are Ayşe and Fatma, who were born from his favorite concubine, Safiye Sultan, but there were more daughters of his.

Ayşe Sultan

The exact birth-date of Ayşe is unknown, but she was most likely the eldest daughter of later Murad III and Safiye Sultan, so she was born between 1565 and 1570. She spent her childhood in her father's province of Manisa, until in 1574 her grandfather Selim II died. Then, following her father, she moved to Istanbul and settled in Topkapi Palace. Ayşe, together with her siblings, essentially grew up there, under the strict supervision of her mother and grandmother. There is no information about Ayşe’s relationship with her mother or grandmother, but her personality and nature make it likely that her grandmother, Nurbanu, played an important role in her upbringing. Moreover, we must not forget that Nurbanu wanted to marry Ayşe very hardly to her adoptive son. So maybe she liked Ayşe very much? Anyhow, in the end, the marriage did not happen.

The 1580s brought a big change in the life of Ayşe. Her mother and grandmother became tenser and tenser to each other and there was an increasingly fierce struggle between them. It finally peaked in 1583 when her mother was exiled from Topkapi Palace. According to some sources, Ayşe and her sisters accompanied Safiye to the Old Palace and spent the next roughly two years there. It is not known how this exile affected the relationship between Ayşe and her father. When her grandmother,  Nurbanu, passed away, her mother gradually returned to the sultan’s grace and soon Safiye could plan her own and her daughter's wedding. Sultan Murad wanted to marry Safiye and marry off his daughter Ayşe to one of his trusted men.

Her first marriage took place in 1586, to Ibrahim Pasha, the beylerbey of Egypt. The wedding took place with huge celebrations which lasted for a week. Ayşe finally could be in the spotlight for a while after her exile in recent years. Soon, however, she moved to Egypt with her husband. Ibrahim Pasha was out of favor during Murad's reign, but with Murad's death his star began to rise the brother of Ayşe, Mehmed III, named his Grand Vezier three times. Thus Ayşe was able to live in the capital again, close to her family. Ibrahim Pasha died on July 10, 1601, and Ayşe was widowed. The pasha was buried in the Şehzade Mosque Complex along with his two children, a boy and a girl who most probably were the children of Ayşe and the pasha, but they died as infants.

However, she could not enjoy her widowhood for long. In April 1602, Ayşe was remarried, this time to Yemişci Hasan Pasha. Ayşe had no intention of marrying the pasha at all because the man was known as a tough man who was rude and ignorant. Despite all her resentment, under the pressure of her mother, the marriage happened but was a short-lived one. Yemişci Hasan Pasa soon fell out of the favor of the sultan (or rather the favor of Safiye) and was sentenced to death. Ayşe pleaded her mother and the sultan to spare her husband’s life and allow them to go on a pilgrimage to purify themselves or go into voluntary exile to Egypt. However, the sultan refused his sister’s request and told her that if she clung so much to her husband, she could follow him to death. It is not known whether Ayşe ended up begging for her husband’s life out of a sense of duty or she started to like him in the meantime. Yemişci Hasan Pasha hid in Ayşe's palace, but was found and executed on October 18, 1603, and Ayşe was widowed again. Somewhat nuanced the romantic image of Ayşe begging for her husband’s life, that some say she fell in love with Güzelce Mahmud Pasha when her husband was still alive. This Güzelce Mahmud pasha did his best to execute Yemişci Hasan Pasha. Güzelce Mahmud Pasa tried to forge his own fortune in this way and in the end he managed it.

Sultan Mehmed III soon passed away, so Ayşe was married off by her nephew, Ahmed I, this time to Güzelce Mahmud Pasha, her lover in 1604. This marriage did not last long either, as Ayşe died on 15 May 1605. She has done a lot of charity during her short life. In 1603, she established a fountain in the garden of ​​the Şehzade Mosque complex in memory of her first husband, as well as a fountain in other parts of the capital and had a bridge built in the countryside. She also explained in detail in her testament how she wanted to help people even after her death. According to her will, she freed all her servants; 10,000 akces were set aside to be paid for those in prison for debt; she sacrificed 2,000 akces to help the needy, the sick, the poor, and orphans; she wished to distribute the remainder among the poor of Mecca, Medina, and Jerusalem; and she sacrificed a certain amount to set free the imprisoned Muslims during the wars, on the proviso that the female prisoners must be set free first. She was buried in her father’s mausoleum at Aya Sofiya.

Fatma Sultan

The exact date of Fatma's birth is unknown, but it is certain that she was younger than Ayşe, and perhaps even Mehmed. She was most likely born between 1570 and 1575. Like her sister, she was the child of the later Sultans Murad III and Safiye. She spent the first few years of her life in her father's province of Manisa, then moved to Istanbul in 1574 when her father became a sultan. Her mother's exile in 1583 brought serious changes in her life, as she probably accompanied her mother, Safiye, to the Old Palace along with her sisters. Soon, however, they returned to the sultan's favor and were able to go home to Topkapi Palace.

On December 8, 1593, her father married off her to Admiral Halil Pasha in a huge ceremony. The ambassadors made detailed descriptions of the wedding ceremony. The marriage turned out to be a happy one, Fatma and Halil Pasha fit together perfectly, and they also tried to support Safiye Sultan in her intrigues. In 1595 the head of the fleet, Halil Pasha, did not left Istanbul with his fleet because Fatma was pregnant and wanted her husband to be by her side. This also suggests that it was a good marriage and that Safiye liked Halil. From their marriage, a child was born in the fall of 1595, Sultanzade Mahmud Bey, who died in 1598, presumably as a result of an epidemic. Halil Pasha died in 1603 and Fatma was widowed.

Some sources say she was married to Cafer Pasha, a vizier, shortly after Halil Pasha’s death, but others dispute this. Then in 1604 his nephew, Ahmed I, married her off to Hızır Pasha. The exact time of Fatma's death is disputed, but she probably died in early 1620. She was buried in hwe father’s mausoleum at Aya Sofiya as her sister Ayşe.

Hüma / Hümaşah Sultan

Hümaşah was also the daughter of the late Murad III and was born in his Manisa province, which is why historians conclude that she was also Safiye’s daughter, so she is the full-sister of Ayşe and Fatma. She was named after Murad’s cousin, Hümaşah, who presented Safiye to Murad in the past. This fact also suggests that Hümaşah was the daughter of Safiye. Some sources believed for years that she became the wife of Sokolluzade Lala Mustafa Pasha before 1580, based on which it was thought that she was the first child ot Murad and Safiye. However, it is now certain that she was only mistaken with Hümaşah, the daughter of Şehzade Mehmed (son of Hürrem), who was truly the wife of Sokolluzade Lala Mustafa Pasha. Thus, it is certain that Hümaşah married only once in her life, to Nişar Mustafazade Mehmed Pasha, but the date of the wedding is unknown. However, Hümaşah was never mentioned once after the pasha's death in 1586, nor was she included in the harem registers, which clearly suggests that she died in the 1580s.

Fahriye Sultan

Murad III ended his monogamous relationship with Safiye around 1583 and accepted dozens of concubines from then on. One anonymous concubine gave birth to Fahriye Sultan between 1585 and 1590. Fahriye's first marriage took place only after the death of her father, by her nephew - who was about the same age as her - Ahmed I, who married her to Çuhadar Ahmed Pasha in 1604. Others say Bosnian Sofu Bayram Pasha was her husband. In 1618 she was widowed and retired to the Old Palace. She never remarried and lived her remaining years within the walls of the Old Palace before she died in 1641 (or after).

Rukiye Sultan

The names of most of Murad III’s new concubines did not survive, but Rukiye’s mother did. Her name was Şemsiruhsar Hatun, who established a foundation during her lifetime and died around 1613. Rukiye may have been born in Murad's last years, as her first marriage did not take place until 1613. Nakkaş Haşan Pasha was chosen as a groom by Sultan Ahmed. The pasha was the leader of the Janissaries, and later the governor of Rumelia and Kubbe Vizier. It is not known whether any child was born from this marriage or not. Also, no information has survived about their marriage. Rukiye is not mentioned at all after her husband's death in 1623, so it is possible that she died before her husband.

Mihrimah, Mihriban, Fetihye and Hatice

Mihrimah Sultan was born between 1585 and 1590 as the daughter of an anonymous concubine and Murad III. Her nephew, Ahmed I, married her to Mirahur Ahmed Pasha in 1604, but nothing else is known about her.

All that is known about Mihriban Sultan is that she married to Topal Mehmed Aga and was buried in her father’s mausoleum.

Fetihye Sultan and Hatice Sultan were also Murad's daughters, but no information remained about them.

Used sources: L. Peirce - The imperial harem; M. P. Pedani - Safiye's household and Venetian diplomacy; G. Börekçi - Factions and favourites at the courts of Sultan Ahmed I (r. 1603-17) and his immediate predecessors; Necdet Sakaoğlu - Bu Mülkün Kadın Sultanları

*    *    *

III. Murad szultánnak legalább 28 leánygyermeke született élete során, azonban csak néhányukról áll rendelekzésünkre kielégítő mennyiségű információ. Legtöbb lányának a neve sem maradt fenn és sokuk hunyt el fiatalon. Az 1597-98as időszak járványai során legalább 17 lánya hunyt például el. Két legismertebb lánya Ayşe és Fatma, akik kedvenc ágyasától, Safiye szultánától születtek.

Ayşe Sultan

Ayşe pontos születési ideje nem ismert, ám nagy valószínűséggel ő volt a legidősebb lánya III. Muradnak és Safiye szultánának, így 1565 és 1570 között jöhetett világra. Gyermekkorát apja maniszai tartományában töltötte, mígnem 1574-ben nagyapja II. Szelim elhunyt. Ekkor apját követve Isztambulba költöztek és a Topkapi Palotában rendezkedtek be. Ayşe testvéreivel együtt lényegében itt nőtt fel, anyja és nagyanyja szigorú felügyelete alatt. Nem maradt fenn információ arról, hogy Ayşe milyen viszonyban volt édesanyjával vagy nagyanyjával, személyisége és természete azonban valószínűsíti, hogy nagyanyja, Nurbanu szultána fontos szerepet töltött be nevelésében. Emellett nem szabad elfeljetünk azt sem, hogy Nurbanu komoly erőfeszítéseket tett, hogy az örökbefogadott fiához adhassa nőül Ayşét. Talán Ayşe közel állt Nurbanuhoz és emiatt akarta ennyire egy általa jó partinak tartott férfihoz nőül adni? Akárhogy is, végül a frigyből nem lett semmi.

Az 1580-as évek nagy változást hoztak Ayşe életébe is. Anyja és nagyanyja egyre inkább egymásnak feszültek és egyre kiélezettebb harc folyt köztük. Ez végül 1583-ban tetőzött, mikor édesanyját, Nurbanu szultána nyomására száműzték a Topkapi Palotából. Egyes források szerint Ayşe és húgai is Safiye szultánával tartottak a Régi Palotába és az elkövetkezendő nagyjából két évet ott töltötték. Nem tudni, hogy hogyan hatott ez a száműzetés Ayşe és apja viszonyára. Mikor nagyanyja, Nurbanu szultána elhunyt, édesanyja fokozatosan visszakerült a szultán kegyeibe és hamarosan anyjával közösen tervezhették az esküvőjüket. Murad szultán ugyanis feleségül kívánta venni Safiye szultánát, lányát Ayşét pedig ki akarta házasítani.

Első házasságára 1586-ban került sor, Egyiptom beglerbégjéhez, Ibrahim Pasához adták nőül. Az esküvő hatalmas ünnepségekkel zajlott és egy hétig tartott. Ayşe az elmúlt évek száműzetése után a középpontba kerülhetett egy időre. Hamarosan azonban férjével együtt Egyiptomba költözött. Ibrahim Pasa Murad uralkodása során kegyvesztett lett, azonban Murad halálával csillaga emelkedni kezdett és háromszor is viselhette a nagyvezíri posztot Ayşe bátyja, III. Mehmed mellett. Így Ayşe újra a fővárosban élhetett, közel családjához. Ibrahim Pasa 1601 július 10-én hunyt el, Ayşe pedig megözvegyült. A pasát a Şehzade mecsetkomplexumban helyezték örök nyugalomra két gyermekével együtt. Egy fiú és egy lány fekszik mellette, akik minden bizonnyal Ayşéval közös gyermekeik voltak és gyermekként elhunytak.

Özvegységét azonban nem élvezhette sokáig. 1602 áprilisában Ayşét újra férjhez adták, ezúttal Yemişci Hasan Pasához. Ayşének egyáltalán nem állt szándékában hozzámenni a pasához, mert a férfi kemény ember hírében állt, aki arcátlan és faragatlan volt. Minden ellenérzése ellenére is anyja nyomására a frigy megköttetett, ám rövidéletűnek bizonyult. Yemişci Hasan Pasa hamarosan kiesett a szultán (vagy inkább Safiye valide szultána) kegyeiből, amiért halálra ítélték. Ayşe szultána könyörgött édesanyjának és a szultánnak is, hogy kíméljék meg férje életét és engedjék, hogy zarándokútra menjenek, hogy megtisztulhassanak vagy önkéntes száműzetésbe vonuljanak Egyiptomba. A szultán azonban elutasította húga kérését és azt mondta neki, hogy ha ennyire ragaszkodik a férjéhez, akkor kövesse a halálba. Nem tudni, hogy Ayşe végül csak kötelességtudatból könyörgött férje életéért vagy időközben megszerette őt. Yemişci Hasan Pasa Ayşe palotájában rejtőzködött, ám kivégzői megtalálták és 1603 október 18-án kivégezték, Ayşe pedig újra megözvegyült. Némileg árnyalja a romantikus képet a férje életéért könyörgő Ayşéről az, hogy egyesek szerint még férje életében beleszeretett Güzelce Mahmud Pasába, aki önmaga is mindent megtett, hogy Yemişci Hasan Pasát kivégezzék. Güzelce Mahmud Pasa saját szerencséjét igyekezett ily módon kovácsolni.

III. Mehmed szultán hamarosan elhunyt, így a szultánát legközelebb unokaöccse, I. Ahmed házasította ki, ezúttal Güzelce Mahmud Pasához 1604-ben. Ez a házasság sem tartott sokáig, Ayşe ugyanis 1605. május 15-én elhunyt. Rövid élete során rengeteget jótékonykodott. 1603-ban a Şehzade-mecset komplexum területén létesített egy kutat első férje emlékére, valamint a főváros más részén is létrehozott egy kutat, vidéken pedig eg hidat építtetett. Végrendeletében is részletesen kifejtette, miképp szeretne halála után is segíteni az embereknek. Végrendelete szerint az összes szolgálóját felszabadíttatta; 10 000 akcét elkülönített arra, hogy a tartozás miatt börtönben ülőket kiváltsák; 2000 akcét arra áldozott, hogy a nélkülőzőket, betegeket, szegényeket és árvákat megsegítse; a maradékot Mekka, Medina és Jeruzsálem szegényei között óhajtotta szétosztani; egy bizonyos összeget pedig arra áldozott, hogy a háborúk során bebörtönzött muszlim fogjokat kiválthassanak, azzal a kitétellel, hogy először a női fogjokat kell kiváltani. Apja mauzóleumában helyezték örök nyugalomra az Aya Sofiyában.

Fatma Sultan

Fatma pontos születési ideje nem ismert, az azonban bizonyos, hogy Ayşénél fiatalabb volt, sőt talán Mehmednél is. 1570 és 1575 között születhetett legnagyobb valószínűség szerint. Nővéréhez hasonlóan a későbbi III. Murad és Safiye szultána gyermeke volt és első néhány évét apja maniszai tartományában töltötte, majd 1574-ben Isztambulba költözött, mikor apjából szultán lett. Életében komoly változásokat hozott anyja 1583-as száműzetése, ugyanis valószínűleg lánytestvéreivel együtt elkísérte anyját Safiyét a Régi Palotába. Hamarosan azonban vissza kerültek a szultán kegyeibe és hazatérhettek a Topkapi Palotába.

1593. december 8-án apja férjhez adta őt a tengernagy Halil Pasához hatalmas ünnepség keretei között. A házasság boldognak bizonyult, Fatma és Halil Pasa remekül összeillettek, Safiye szultánát is igyekeztek együtt támogatni annak intrikáiban. Boldog házasságukat és Safiye szultána támogatását jól bizonyítja, hogy 1595-ben a flotta feje, Halil Pasa nem utazott el a flottával együtt hadjáratra, ugyanis Fatma várandós volt és maga mellett akarta tudni férjét. Házasságukból egy gyermek született 1595 őszén, Sultanzade Mahmud bég, aki 1598-ban hunyt el, feltehetőleg járvány következtében. Halil Pasa 1603-ban elhunyt, Fatma pedig megözvegyült.

Egyes források szerint nemsokkal Halil Pasa halála után Cafer Pasához, egy vezírhez ment hozzá, mások azonban vitatják ezt. 1604-ben aztán unokaöccse, I. Ahmed házasította ki a szultánát Hızır Pasához. Fatma pontos halálozási ideje vitatott, ám valószínűleg 1620 elején halt meg. Apja mauzóleumában helyezték örök nyugalomra az Aya Sofiyában.

Hüma/Hümaşah Sultan

Hümaşah szultána is a későbbi III. Murad maniszai háremében született, emiatt következtetnek arra a történészek, hogy ő is Safiye lánya volt, így tehát Ayşe és Fatma édestestvére. Nevét minden bizonnyal Murad unokatestvére, Hümaşah után kapta, aki annak idején Safiye szultánát Muradnak ajándékozta. Ez a tény is arra enged következtetni, hogy Hümaşah Safiye lánya volt. Egyes források úgy vélték évekig, hogy Sokolluzade Lala Mustafa Pasa felesége lett még 1580 előtt, ez alapján őt gondolták későbbi III. Murad és Safiye első gyermekének. Azonban ma már bizonyos, hogy csupán Şehzade Mehmed (Hürrem fia) lányával Hümaşahval keverték össze, aki valóban Sokolluzade Lala Mustafa Pasa neje volt. Így bizonyos, hogy Hümaşah csak egyszer házasodott meg életében, Nişar Mustafazade Mehmed Pasával, ám ennek ideje nem ismert. Hümaşah azonban a pasa 1586-os halála után egyszer sem volt említve, nem szerepelt a hárem jegyzőkönyvekben sem, ami egyértelműen arra utal, hogy az 1580-as években elhunyt.

Fahriye Sultan

III. Murad 1583-tól kezdődően befejezte monogám kapcsolatát Safiye szultánával és több tucat ágyasnak is gyermeket nemzett. Egyik névtelen ágyas hozta világra Fahriye szultánát 1585 és 1590 között. Fahriye első házasságára csupán édesapja halála után került sor, nagybátyja - a vele nagyjából egykorú - I. Ahmed által, aki Çuhadar Ahmed Pasához adta nőül 1604-ben. Mások szerint a bosnyák Sofu Bayram Pasa vette el a szultánát. 1618-ban megözvegyült és a Régi Palotába vonult vissza. Sosem házasodott újra. A Régi Palota falai között élte le hátra lévő éveit, mielőtt 1641-ben (vagy utána) elhunyt.

Rukiye Sultan

III. Murad legtöbb új ágyasának neve nem maradt fenn, Rukiye anyjáé azonban igen. Şemsiruhsar Hatunnak hívták, aki élete során alapítványt hozott létre és 1613 körül hunyt el. Rukiye Murad utolsó éveiben születhetett, ugyanis első házasságára csupán 1613-ban került sor. Nakkaaş Haşan Pasát jelölte ki Ahmed szultán a szultána férjének, aki a janicsárok vezetője volt, majd később Rumélia helytartója és Kubbe vezír. Nem tudni, hogy született e gyermekük és a házasságukról sem maradt fenn információ. Rukiyét férje 1623-as halála után egyáltalán nem említik, így lehetséges, hogy már férje előtt elhunyt.

Mihrimah, Mihriban, Fetihye és Hatice

Mihrimah Sultan III. Murad és egy névtelen ágyas lányaként született 1585 és 1590 között. Unokaöccse, I. Ahmed házasította ki 1604-ben Mirahur Ahmed Pasához, ám semmi mást nem tudni róla.

Mihriban Sultanról annyit tudni, hogy Topal Mehmed Agához ment nőül és apja mauzóleumában helyezték örök nyugalomra.

Fetihye Sultan és Hatice Sultan is Murad lányai voltak, azonban semmi információ nem maradt fenn róluk.

Felhasznált források: L. Peirce - The imperial harem; M. P. Pedani - Safiye's household and Venetian diplomacy; G. Börekçi - Factions and favourites at the courts of Sultan Ahmed I (r. 1603-17) and his immediate predecessors; Necdet Sakaoğlu - Bu Mülkün Kadın Sultanları

[ottomanblogs]

The Rise and The Fall of Kosem Sultan (Part I)

Kosem Sultan: The Beginning.

Anastasia, born in 1589 in Tinos, Greece. Anastasia was living happily with her Father, Mother and Sister. On the other hand Shehzade Ahmed, son of Mehmed III of ottoman empire was trying to cope up with the loss of his elder brother. His grandmother Safiye Sultan brought some gifts to enlighten his mood. Among them was the portrait of Anastasia. It proved to be the most favorite present for Ahmed. It was the love at first sight. Safiye sent her guards Nasuh Pasha and Golge to capture Anastasia. Nasuh and Golge reached Tinos and began to find her house. When they reached, they found her Parents. When he inquired about her, her father said that she is our of the city. Nasuh didn't believe him. Unluckily Anastasia's part of the cloth was out of the hiding spot. Nasuh found her and she was captured

On their way Anastasia met Alexander (a young boy part of new comers army). She asked him for help and he promised that when he'll arrive in Istanbul he'll surely help her. Finally she reached Topkapi Palace and was given in care of Cennet Kalfa who named her Hatice. Next day she met Safiye and begged her to release her but she refused and told her life lessons. Safiye named her Mahpeker. Ahmed slept with Mahfiruz before Anastasia arrived. Anastasia was sent to Ahmed who was now a Sultan but she was reluctant to get in any kind of relationship with him. She was trying to run away. She also tried to attempt suicide but then she remembered her father's words that she is his powerful daughter. During all this Safiye made her realize that she's in love with Ahmed. She also gave her red dress which she wore in her youth when she was in love with Sultan Murad.

Rivalry began between Mahfiruz and Anastasia. Palace even witnessed their physical fights as well. Once she was even beaten by her. After sometime when Alexander was practicing swords with Ahmed, he introduced her to Alexander without knowing that they know each other. As promised Alexander asked her to run away about which she agreed and next night she went out of palace to run away. On the other hand Ahmed's aunt Fahriye had poisoned him and his brother Mustafa because of her love interests. Ahmeds situation was critical. Anastasia when running realized her love for Ahmed and returned back but unfortunately guards saw her and informed Valide about this. As she ran away at the same time the Ahmed was poisoned all the doubt went on her. She was even punished and was beaten during investigation. Both Ahmed and Mustafa were critical and dynasty wasn't left with any other heir of the throne. Common people started rebellion as they thought that Sultan had died and Palace officials are hiding it. The Empire running successfully for 400 years was in danger.

Rebellion rose to an extent that rebels reached till palace gates. Sheikh Mahmud Hudai gave a Taveez for Ahmed for protection. Ahmed was critical when rebels were trying to enter Palace. Anastasia decided to face rebels and tell them about the real situation. She took Ahmed's Taveez (object for protection) and left his room to face rebels. This was the time when her childhood was over.

To be continued ...

Coming up next - Part 2 ( Kosem Sultan: Rise to Power)

[ottomanladies]

OTTOMANLADIES’ 2ND BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS

Murad III of the Ottoman Empire + daughters who reached adulthood – requested by anon

[ottomanladies]

I found : 1595 yılında doğan Faheiye Sultan annesi Safiye Sultan tarafından siyasi evlilikler yapmıştır. Örneğin Fahriye Sultan annesinin isteği ve yeğeni I.Ahmet'in emriyle 21.2.1613 tarihinde Çukadar Ahmet Paşa ile evlendirildi. Ama Ahmet Paşa 1618 yılında öldü. Ahmet Paşa'nın ölümünden bir sene sonra Sofu Bayram Paşa ile evlenmek zorunda kaldı. Sofu Bayram Paşa 1627 yılında öldü. Fahriye Sultan ikinci eşinin ölümünden sonra tekrar evlenmedi ve dul olarak yaşadı.Boşnak Derviş Paşa ile evlendiğ

continue: Ama Ahmet Paşa 1618 yılında öldü. Ahmet Paşa'nın ölümünden bir sene sonra Sofu Bayram Paşa ile evlenmek zorunda kaldı. Sofu Bayram Paşa 1627 yılında öldü. Fahriye Sultan ikinci eşinin ölümünden sonra tekrar evlenmedi ve dul olarak yaşadı.Boşnak Derviş Paşa ile evlendiği de söylenir. it is all true? Sorry I can not speak turkish. But in this text is that safyie had daughter who was named Hurrem Fahryie sultan. It can be possible that she´s trully daughter safyie?

Well... 1595 is a little late for a daughter of Safiye’s, Burton says that at the time of Murad III’s death - January 1595 - she was 45. Also, I think that had Safiye given birth to a child this late in her life, someone would have recorded it; Burton, for example. Moreover, Safiye was notoriously incapable to have more children after having suffered several miscarriages or stillbirths. I think the Venetian ambassador noted it on Murad III’s accession, so very early in her life.

There was indeed a Fahriye Sultan among Murad III’s daughters but I truly doubt that a) she was Safiye’s daughter and b) she went on to marry Derviş Paşa, who is never called Damad in historiography.

Also... I don’t understand where you read that she was called Hürrem Fahriye because I can’t find it in this paragraph.

[ottomanladies]

Murad III + harem and children

Consorts:

Haseki Safiye Sultan: Albanian concubine presented to him by his cousin Hümaşah, she was his only consort for 20 years, when Murad III started sleeping with other women.

Şemsiruhsar Hatun: mother of Rukiye Sultan, she made a vakif for the reading of the Quran in the Mosque of the Prophet in Medina. She died before 1613.

Nazperver Hatun: appears in Ahmet Refik’s book Kadınlar Saltanati as one of Murad III’s consorts.

Şahıhuban Hatun: according to Ahmet Refik, she was buried in Yenibahçe with another consort.

Fakriye Hatun: according to Alderson, she was one of Murad III’s consorts.

Mihriban Hatun: again, according to Alderson she was one of Murad III’s consorts.

Unnamed consort: presented to Murad III by his son Mehmed, it could be one between Fakriye or Mihriban.

Children:

Ayşe Sultan (before 1565 - 15.5.1605): Murad and Safiye’s eldest child. She married Damad Ibrahim Paşa on 20 May 1586, who would serve as Grand Vizier three times. After the death of Ibrahim Paşa on 10 July 1601, she married Yemişçi Haşan Paşa in 1602, but he was executed in October 1603 by her brother Mehmed. In 1603 she built a fountain in honour of her first husband, located outside the Şehzade Mosque. Subsequently, she married her lover Güzelce Mahmud Paşa but she died soon later, on 15 May 1605. She was buried in the mausoleum of her father Murad. In her will, most of her wealth was left to the poor, orphans and sick; to the poor women in Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem and as ransom for Muslim female captives.

Fatma Sultan (before 1565 - ??): Murad and Safiye’s second child. On 8 December 1593 she married Kaptanıderya Halil Paşa in a magnificent ceremony. The marriage was described as very happy and they had a child together: Sultanzade Mahmud Bey (died in 1598). Halil Paşa died in 1603 and she subsequently married Vizier Cafer Paşa, though not according to Evliya Celebi.

Mehmed III (16/26.5.1566 - 21.12.1603): son of Safiye Sultan, he was the 13th Ottoman Sultan. (consorts and children here)

Şehzade Selim (1567 - 28.1.1595): executed by Mehmed III. Son of Safiye Sultan? (his date of birth would suggest this, but no source spoke of a second son of Safiye’s being alive at Murad III’s death)

Şehzade Mahmud (1568 - in or before 1581): son of Safiye Sultan

Unnamed prince (6.1582 - 6.1582): according to Alderson, he was born and died during the circumcision fest for prince Mehmed.

Şehzade Cihangir (2.1585 - 8.1585)

Şehzade Süleyman (2.1585 - 1585)

Şehzade Abdullah (1585 - 28.1.1595): executed by Mehmed III

Şehzade Mustafa (1585 - 28.1.1595): executed by Mehmed III

Şehzade Bayezid (1586 - 28.1.1595): executed by Mehmed III

Şehzade Cihangir (1587 - 28.1.1595): executed by Mehmed III

Şehzade Abdurrahman (?? - 28.1.1595): executed by Mehmed III

Şehzade Ahmed (?? - ??)

Şehzade Alaeddin Davud (?? - 28.1.1595): executed by Mehmed III

Şehzade Alemşah (?? - 28.1.1595): executed by Mehmed III

Şehzade Ali (?? - 28.1.1595): executed by Mehmed III

Şehzade Hasan (?? - 28.1.1595): executed by Mehmed III

Şehzade Hüseyin (?? - 28.1.1595): executed by Mehmed III

Şehzade Ishak (?? - 28.1.1595): executed by Mehmed III

Şehzade Murad (?? - 28.1.1595): executed by Mehmed III

Şehzade Osman (?? - 28.1.1595): executed by Mehmed III

Şehzade Ömer (?? - 28.1.1595): executed by Mehmed III

Şehzade Yusuf (?? - 28.1.1595): executed by Mehmed III

Hüma/Hümaşah Sultan (?? - ??): she may have been a daughter of Safiye’s, since she was born in Manisa. She married Lala Kara Sokoloviç Mustafa Paşa (cousin of Sokollu Mehmed Paşa), who died in 1580, and then Nişar Mustafazade Mehmed Paşa, who died in 1586. Nothing else is known about her. [here]

Fahriye Sultan (?? - after 1641): she married Çuhadar Ahmed Paşa in 1604, who died in 1618. According to Uluçay, she was married instead to the governor of Bosnia Sofu Bayram Paşa.

Fethiye Sultan (?? - ??): she does not appear in Sicill-i Osmani.

Rukiye Sultan (?? - ??): daughter of Şemsiruhsar Hatun, she was buried in the mausoleum of her father.

Mihrimah Sultan: she married Mirahur Ahmed Paşa in 1604.

Mihriban Sultan: she was buried in the mausoleum of Murad III.

17 unnamed daughters: died of smallpox in 1598.

Hatice Sultan: no information about her

sources:- A. D. Alderson - The Structure of the Ottoman Dynasty

- Leslie P. Peirce - The Imperial Harem: Women and Sovereignty in the Ottoman Empire

- Necdet Sakaoğlu - Bu Mülkün Kadın Sultanları

- M. Çağatay Uluçay - Padişahların Kadınları ve Kızları

[ottomanladies]

So murad III really had daughter named hümaşah? I thought writers just changed fatma sultan's name in the show

Hello! Yes, he did! He also had a daughter called Fahriye. I think the writers looked at his daughters and chose two names they knew they wouldn’t use for Kosem’s daughters so as to avoid confusion; still, I wish they had chosen to follow history more closely.

[ottomanladies]

Do we know anything about the daughters of murad iii who’s mothers weren’t Safiye?

Yes, we do. 

If we consider Hüma to be Safiye’s daughter, the other princesses were:

Fahriye/Fahri Sultan (?? - after 1641): she is called Fahri Sultan in some sources. She married Çuhadar Ahmed Paşa in 1604. According to Uluçay, she married Sofu Bayram Paşa instead. 

Rukiye Sultan: daughter of Murad III and Şemsiruhsar Hatun

Mihrumah/Mihrimah Sultan: she was married to Mirahur Ahmed Pasha in 1604

Mihriban Sultan: according to Hadika, she's also a daughter of Murad. She was buried in his mausoleum. 

Hatice Sultan: Alderson gives only her name 

Unnamed Princess: daughter of Murad and a concubine who was given to him by Prince Mehmed

Seven unnamed princesses: mass-married to different court officials.

According to Alderson, Murad III lost seventeen princesses in the plague of 1598.