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Video: 5 famous eunuchs who influenced the history of the Ottoman Empire
2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55
Eunuchs were called male servants who looked after the harem. They were deprived of their "manhood" by emasculation, so that they, being among the multitude of concubines, would not succumb to unnecessary temptations. Such representatives of a strong half of humanity could be considered humiliated and deprived, however, this would not be true. Among them there are famous personalities who had a tremendous influence not only on their ruler, but also on the fate of the entire state.
The eunuchs at court held significant power until about the middle of the 17th century. The eunuch was a confidant between the vizier, harem, sultan and his mother, had free access to the sovereign's chambers. The one who served as the chief eunuch was always aware of all the secrets of the harem and manipulated this to his advantage.
This man belonged to a number of the most significant representatives of the empire, they were afraid and hated at the same time, they often tried to somehow cajole him with bribery. When the eunuch reached old age, he retired with all the honors, and in gratitude for a good job he was paid a large reward.
1. Gazanfer Aga
He was born in Hungary, but, despite this, converted to Islam. Gazanfer Aga served under Selim, who was the son of Suleiman the Great. While already in the service, he did not immediately become a eunuch, but in the future he agreed to emasculation only in order to gain serious power. Although, if you believe the historical series "The Magnificent Age", then Gazanfer took such a step solely for the sake of his beloved - the main concubine Selim - in order to spend more time with her.
At first, he oversaw the Enderun School, where boys were trained to serve in government positions. And after that, he became the main overseer of the harem and stayed in this post for 30 years. His opinion was taken into account and he was listened to by the grandson and son of Selim II. Gazanfer used his own finances to build a building that still stands today. Now it houses a museum of humor and cartoons.
2. Haji Mustafa Agha
He assumed the post of chief caretaker of the bed immediately after the death of Gazanfer Aga, after which he took an active part in Ottoman politics. His service took place under Sultan Ahmed I, he was also an assistant to his two sons when they accepted the post of their father. He can be seen in the TV series The Magnificent Century. Empire Kyosem . With his help, the overthrow of the insane Mustafa I took place. There was a period when Haji was out of favor and he was sent to Egypt.
But everything returned to normal, and he was returned to his previous position when the death of Osman II happened. He made every possible effort to send the Sultan's ships towards the Crimea with the aim of overthrowing Khan Mehmet Giray. But the Zaporozhye Cossacks defended their ruler and, with the aim of revenge, burned down the settlements located on the shores of the Bosphorus.
3. Sumbul Aga
He was the chief eunuch under Sultan Ibrahim and, like all of the above, had a hand in the politics of the state. After Sumbül Aga was killed by the knights of the Order of Malta, the Turkish fleet seriously avenged the death of the chief eunuch - they stormed Fr. Crete, where the offenders lived.
4. Hajy Bashir Agha
Served as chief eunuch under Ahmed III and Mahmud I. Hajj promoted the people “necessary” to him to the posts of vizier, and quickly eliminated unwanted commanders. There was a case when the chief vizier made attempts to remove Haji Bashir for interfering too often in state affairs, but all this ended in the resignation of the rebellious vizier himself. He had such a powerful power in his hands that instead of the Sultan, he negotiated with Iran and made responsible decisions in the process.
5. Bashir Agha
He gave the service as chief eunuch for 6 years, taking office after the death of Hajy Bashir. All the viziers were in his subordination and regularly carried out the orders given to them. If someone dared to disobey, Bashir made every effort to get the insolent resignation.
For financial reward, he pushed everyone to high government posts. With his arrival, intrigue, blackmail and bribery began to flourish. Everything got to the point that the Janissaries, because of Bashir, raised a revolt against the then ruling Mehmed I.
To end the revolt of the servants, the ruler issued an order to remove the chief eunuch. Bashir Agha was the last of the chief eunuchs to have access to state affairs. After his death, in 1752, the men in this position were completely deprived of access to politics, and only harems remained in their area of competence.
Eunuchs had to take the concubines for walks, monitor their behavior and control the entrance to the harem - this was the end of their powers. After the abolition of slavery, all harems were dismissed in the Ottoman Empire in 1908, and most of the eunuchs remained in the post of civil servants.
In continuation - a story about secrets of eastern harems, the ones that are not talked about in romantic films
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