The Ottoman Empire: a Historical Encyclopedia [2 Volumes]

by Kia, Mehrdad;

  Besides the aforesaid rooms (which are very many, and serve only for the Kings own person) there is the women’s lodging, which is in a manner like a nunnery, wherein the Queen, the other Sultana’s, and all the King’s women and slaves do dwell. And it had within it all the commodity that may be, of beds, chambers, dining-rooms, Bagno’s [baths], and all other kinds of building necessary for the use and service of the women which dwell therein.

  There are likewise diverse rooms and lodgings, built a-part from all those aforesaid, which serve both for the principal Officers and those of a mean degree, and also for the basest sort; and are so well furnished, that not any want can be discerned of ought, that may be thought requisite and convenient for them.

  Amongst which there are two large buildings, the one the Hazineh, or private treasury; and the other the King’s wardrobe. These are two very handsome buildings, and secure by reason of the thickness of their walls, and strength of their iron windows. They have each of them an iron door, kept shut continually, and that of the Hazineh sealed with the King’s seal.

  In the said Seraglio there are rooms for prayer, Bagno’s schools, butteries, kitchens, distilling rooms, places to swim in, places to run horses in, places for wrestling, butts to shoot at, and to conclude, all the commodity that may be had in a Prince’s Palace, for things of that nature.

  At the first entrance into the Seraglio, there is a very large and stately gate, in the porch whereof, there is always a guard of about fifty men with their weapons by them, as pieces, bows, and swords. Having passed this gate (through which the Bashaws [Pashas] and other great men may pass on horse-back) there is a very spacious court almost a quarter of an Italian mile in length, and very nigh as much in breadth; and, on the left hand in the court near unto the gate, there is a place to shelter the people and horses in rainy weather. On the right hand there is an Hospital, for such as fall sick in the Seraglio, in which there are all things necessary: it is kept by an Eunuch, who hath many servants under him to attend upon the diseased. Again, on the left hand there is a very large place in which they keep their timber, and carts, and such like things, to have them near at hand for the use and service of the Seraglio; over which there is a great hall, where are hanged up many weapons of antiquity, as scimitars, javelins, bows, head-pieces, gauntlets, etc. which they keep to lend the soldiers and others, for to accompany the Grand Seignor, or the Great Vizir, when they make any solemn entry into the city of Constantinople.

  Having passed through the aforesaid court, there is a second gate (at which the Bashaws alight) somewhat less than the former, but more neat and costly; under which there is also a stately porch, where there is likewise a guard of Capoochees provided with weapons, as they at the first gate are. Thence there is another court lesser than the former, but far more beautiful and pleasant, by reason of the delicate fountains, and rows of Cypress trees, and the green grass-plots in which the Gazels do feed, and bring forth young: but in this court (the Grand Seignor only excepted) everyone must go on foot. On both sides of the said gate there is an open gallery underset with pillars, without which the (a) Chiaushes, the other (b) Janizaries, and the (c) Spahees do use to stand in their several ranks, very well appareled, at such times as there is a great (d) Divan held for the coming of any Ambassador to kiss the Grand-Signor’s hand.

  In the said court on the right hand are all the kitchins, being in number nine; all which have their several officers and larders belonging unto them.

  The first and greatest is the King’s.

  The second the Queen’s.

  The third the Sultana’s.

  The fourth the Capee Agha’s.

  The fifth for the Divan.

  The sixth for the Agha’s, the King’s gentlemen.

  The seventh for the meaner sort of servants.

  The eighth for the women.

  The ninth for the under officers of the Divan, and such as attend there to do what belongeth unto them in their several places.

  And on the left side of the court there is the King’s stable, of about thirty, or thirty five very brave horses, which his Majesty keepeth for his exercise, when he pleasesth to run, or sport with his gentlemen the Agha’s in the Seraglio. Over which stable there is a row of rooms, wherein is kept all the furniture of the horses, the which (I having seen both there, and abroad, at such times as they have been used) I can affirm to be of extraordinary value. For the bridles, pectorals, cruppers, saddle-cloths, the pommels of the saddles, and stirrups, are set so thick with jewels of diverse sorts, that the beholders are amazed, they do so far exceed all imagination.

  Near adjoining to the said stable are certain buildings for the service of the officers of the Divan, and having passed two thirds of the court on the same said, there is the room wherein the Divan is kept: [unto which joineth upon one side the Hazineh, called the outward Hazineh,] which (the Divan being ended) is sealed with the chief Vizir’s Seal. And even with the room where the Divan is kept (but somewhat behind it, towards the left hand) is the gate which leadeth into the women’s lodgings, called the Queen’s gate, which is kept and guarded by a company of black Eunuchs.

  The aforesaid second court endeth at a third gate, termed the King’s gate, which leadeth into the rooms and lodgings kept apart for himself, and such gentlemen, as are to attend upon him continually: neither may anyone enter therein, but by absolute leave from the King (speaking of men of great quality;) but such as are belonging to the buttery, or kitchin, and physicians, caters, and sewers, may go in and out with leave only from the Capee Agha, who is the chief chamberlain of the Seraglio, and to him is committed the keeping of that gate; and he is always at hand (by reason his lodging is near) with a company of white Eunuchs about him like himself; so that what is reported, of things within this gate, is for the most part by relation; for either one may not see them, or if he do see them, it must be when the King is abreast; and he must be brought in by some man of quality and command, by one of the gates at the sea-side, the which also cannot be obtained but with great difficulty, and some charge too for a gratification to the guide; they having not only great regard and respect to their King’s person, but also to his rooms in his absence.

  Having passed the third gate (the which hath also a very fair porch) immediately is seen the aforementioned room appointed for publick audience: and there within that gate also is another very fair court, paved with very fine marble, wrought with Mosaical work; wherein are many delicate fountains, and sumptuous buildings on all sides, in which commonly the King useth to eat and pass the time in some recreation.

  It happened, that I taking hold of a fit time, the King being abroad hunting, through the great friendship which was twixt my selfe and the Kabiyah of the Bustangi Bashee; had the opportunitie (he being my guide) to goe into the Seraglio, entring by a gate at the Sea side where he shewed me many of the King’s backward roomes, divers Bagnoes, and many other curious and delightful things, both for the excellencie of their gilding, and the abundance of Fountaynes that were in them.

  There is a row of summer rooms built upon the top of a little hill; which looks towards the sea-side, so well contrived with halls and chambers, and so pleasantly seated, and richly furnished, that it may well be the habitation of so great a Prince. Amongst which there is a hall opening towards the East, but underset with very fair pillars; which hall looks into an artificial four square lake (which they call Hawoz) proceeding from about thirty fountains which are built upon a kind of Terras, of very fine marble, which compasseth the said lake, the water running from the fountains above down into the lake, and from the lake through diverse gutters into gardens. Two men may walk abreast upon the Terras, where they hear the continual and sweet harmony, which the fountains make with leaden pipes, insomuch that it is a most delightful place. And in the lake there is a little boat, the which (as I was informed) the Grand Seignor doth oftentimes go into with his Mutes, and Buffoons [jesters], to make them row up and down, and to sport with them, making them leap into th
e water, and many times as he walks along with them above upon the sides of the lake, he throws them down into it, and plunges them over head and ears.

  Near unto the said hall, is his Majesty’s bedchamber, the walls whereof are covered with stones of the finest China metal, spotted with flowers of diverse colours, which make an excellent show. The Anteporta’s [hangings before the doors] are of cloth of gold of Bursia, and their borders of crimson velvet embroidered with gold and pearls: the posts of the bedstead are of silver, hollow, and, instead of knops on the tops of them, there are set lions made of christal: the canopy over it is of cloth of gold, and so are the bolsters, and the mattresses. The floor of this chamber (as of the other rooms) and the Sofa’s, are spread with very costly Persian carpets of silk and gold, and the pallets to sit on, with the cushions to lean upon, are of very rich {and pure Bursa} cloth of gold.

  There is hanging, in the midst of the aforesaid hall, a very great lantern, the form whereof is round, and the bars of silver gilt, and set very thick with rubies, emeralds, and Turquoises: the panes are of fine christal. There is likewise a bason and ewer of massy gold, set with rubies and Turquoises, which beautify the room.

  Behind the hall, there is a place to shoot in, where there are laid up many bows and arrows, and there are to be seen such strange passages made with arrows by the King’s predecessors, and by the King himself, through brass and iron, that it seemeth almost impossible to be done by the arm of any man.

  The room, which is called the Publick Divan, hath been built of late years. It is four square, and about eight or nine paces every way from side to side. It hath behind it another room for the service thereof, and one also at the coming in to the Divan on the right hand, divided only by a wooden rail: with many other rooms somewhat distant from it, which serve for the expedition of sundry businesses. This Divan I call publick, because any kind of person whatsoever (as well stranger as native) publickly and indifferently may have free access unto it, to require justice, to procure grants, and to end their causes, and controversies, of what nature, condition, or import soever they be, without let or contradiction.

  Thus have I made a brief description of some of the rooms and buildings of this Seraglio, according to the notice I took of them. But hitherto I have omitted to shew, how that a great part of the best of them have been built, from time to time, at the cost and charges of the subjects. For there have been diverse Bashaws, who being in favour with the Grand Seignor obtained leave at several times to add unto the Seraglio a room or two, for a memorial of some notable good service which they had done their Prince. In the building of which, they have spared no cost, although for the most part the rooms are very little: but this their often patching of new rooms with old hath caused a great confusedness in the whole fabrick, they having not observed any uniformity at all in their manner of building.

  Source: Ottaviano Bon, The Sultan’s Seraglio: An Intimate Portrait of Life at the Ottoman Court, from the seventeenth century edition of John Withers, introduced and annotated by Godfrey Goodwin (London: Saqi Books, 1996), 23–32. Reprinted with permission of Saqi Books.

  2. OF THE AUDIENCE AND ENTERTAINMENT GIVEN TO AMBASSADORS

  The Ottomans had developed an elaborate set of ceremonies, which displayed the power and majesty of the reigning sultans. Foreign ambassadors bearing official correspondence and gifts from their sovereigns could only meet the sultan after meeting with the grand vizier and members of the Imperial Council. The excerpt below, which describes the elaborate reception organized to receive the ambassadors of foreign powers, is taken from Ottaviano Bon’s The Sultan’s Seraglio: An Intimate Portrait of Life at the Ottoman Court. Ottaviano Bon served as the ambassador from Venice to the Ottoman court from 1604 to 1607.

  When it falleth out that an Ambassador from any great Prince, is to kiss the Grand Seignor’s hand; it must be either upon a Sunday, or upon a Tuesday, (for those are the days appointed for his Highness to give audience) to the end he may not be troubled at other times. And then the Vizir commandeth that there be a great Divan, which is done by calling together all the Grandees of the Porch, all the Chiaushes, all the Mutaferrakas, and a great number of Spahees and Janizaries; who are every one of them commanded by their captains, to apparel themselves in the best manner that they are able, and to go every one to his place in the second court, and there to stand in orderly ranks, making indeed a very goodly show, for they are very well clothed, and are most of them of comely personage.

  Thus the Divan being all in order, and few, or no common business handled for that day, the Vizir sendeth the Chiaush Bashaw, with many of his Chiaushes on horse-back, to accompany the Ambassador: who, being come to the Divan, is set face to face, close before the Chief Vizir, upon a stool covered with cloth of gold. Having for a while complimented and used some friendly discourse together; the Bashaw commandeth that dinner be brought: the which is done after the same manner as upon other Divan days; only the round plate, on which the meat is set, is of silver, and the victuals are more delicate and in greater abundance. And so the Ambassador and the Vizir Azem, with one or two of the other Bashaws, do eat together. And for every such banquet at such times, the Grand Seignor alloweth, besides the ordinary Divan diet, a thousand crowns to be spent. [Howbeit I dare say the steward makes the one half to serve the turn, and reserves the rest to himself.]

  They having dined, the Vizir entertaineth the Ambassador with some discourse, until such time as the Ambassador’s followers have dined also, who I can say are served after a very mean fashion; and then the Ambassador together with his own attendants, retire themselves into a certain place near the King’s gate: where he must stay, till such time as all the orders of the Divan have had audience of the King, who being dismissed do all depart, the Bashaws excepted, who for the Grand Seignor’s honour are to stay, and attend in the room upon his Majesty. But by the way I must not omit to tell you, how that the present, which the Ambassador brings along with him, is carried, whilst he sitteth in the said retiring place, once about the second court in open sight of the people, be it what it will, and so in unto the King

  Then the Ambassador is called by the Master of the ceremonies, by whom he is brought to the gate where the Capee Agha standeth with a company of Eunuchs. Then the Capee Agha leadeth him to the door of the room, where there do stand two Capoochee Bashaws, who take the Ambassador, the one by one arm, and the other by the other arm, and so lead him to kiss his Highness’s hand, which in truth is but his hanging sleeve, which he having done, they lead him back after the same manner to the lower end of the room, where he standeth till such time as the said two Capoochee Bashaws have led such of the Ambassador’s gentlemen, as are appointed to kiss the king’s hand also. This done, the Druggaman [interpreter] declareth the Ambassador’s commission, to which the Grand Seignor maketh no answer at all, disdaining to speak to a christian; but only speaketh a word or two to the chief Vizir, to license him, referring all proceedings to his discretion. And so the Ambassador departeth, doing obeisance to the King, with bowing down his head, but pulleth not off his hat, or cap at all.

  There is one particular, belonging to this ceremony, worthy the observation, which is this, that there is not at any time, any person whatsoever, as well Ambassador as other, which is to kiss the Grand Seignor’s hand, but he is vested with a vest given him by the Grand Seignor. And to this end, before the Ambassador goeth in unto the king, the Vizir Azem sendeth him so many vests, as are appointed by Canon, for himself and his gentlemen; who put them on in the place where the Ambassador stayeth, till the King send for him to give him audience. These vests are of divers sorts; of which there is one or two for the Ambassador’s own person of cloth of gold of Bursia; the other being of a low price, worth little or nothing.

  But on the contrary, in lieu of those vests, there is not any Ambassador, which is to go to the King for his first audience; or Bashaw, who, at his return from some employment aborad, is to kiss his hand, but they present him with the full value of what t
he Canon requireth: insomuch that the Grand Seignor receiveth more than he giveth, twenty fold. Moreover, the Bashaws, over and above the ordinary duty, do give him exceedingly rich presents, and oftentimes great sums of money too; that by all means they may continue in his grace and favour.

  Other Ambassadors, which come from petty princes, or states, howbeit they are vested also with vests given them by the Grand Seignor, yet they come not to the Divan in that pomp, neither are they feasted as the others are; but go privately, carrying their present with them; howsoever, they are also led in unto the King after the aforesaid manner. It is to be noted, that all Ambassadors from absolute Princes as well ordinary as extraordinary, excepting those from the Signoria of Venice, to whom, from their first introduction, it was denied: all, I say, lie at the charges of the Grand Seignor. For from his own store, they have allowed them wheat, barley, pulse, wood, coals, hay, the custom of their win, and many other necessaries for their household expense; and from the Defterdar so many aspars per diem, as the Vizir shall think fit. Which provision, tho’ now of late it be very hard to be gotten in; yet by great importunity and gifts (without which there is no good to be done) in the end they receive a great part of it. [But the officers will share with them, do what they can; such is their baseness, and slender account, of either honour, or honesty.]

  Source: Ottaviano Bon, The Sultan’s Seraglio: An Intimate Portrait of Life at the Ottoman Court, from the seventeenth century edition of John Withers, introduced and annotated by Godfrey Goodwin (London: Saqi Books, 1996), 41–44. Reprinted with permission of Saqi Books.

  3. OF THE PERSONS WHICH LIVE IN THE SERAGLIO; AND CHIEFLY OF THE WOMEN, AND VIRGINS

  The harem was the residence of the sultan, his wives, and his family. A palace in its own right, the harem consisted of several hundred apartments and included baths, kitchens, and even a hospital. Three separate but interconnected sections formed the royal harem. The first section housed the eunuchs, while the second section belonged exclusively to the women of the palace. The third and final section was the personal residence of the sultan. The most powerful woman of the harem was the mother of the sultan, who lived in her own apartment surrounded by servants and attendants. Her apartment included a reception hall, a bedroom, a prayer room, a resting room, a bathroom, and a bath. It was second in size only to the apartment of the sultan. The excerpt below, which describes the structure and inner workings of the royal harem, is taken from Ottaviano Bon’s The Sultan’s Seraglio: An Intimate Portrait of Life at the Ottoman Court. Ottaviano Bon, who served as the ambassador from Venice in Istanbul from 1604 to 1607, describes in detail the enormous power and influence of the women of the imperial harem.