Among the Black Eunuchs, several officers are assigned specifically to the service of the Queen Mother, whose household is one of the most important parts of the Seraglio.
The Hazna Ağası is the eunuch who serves as treasurer to the Queen Mother. He commands the female servants of her chamber and manages all financial matters related to her household. Under his authority are the women responsible for the care, order, and daily service of her apartments.
The Kiler Ağası is entrusted with keeping the sugar, sherbets, medicines, and valuable food items belonging to the Queen Mother. This office is important, as food and drink were closely guarded and carefully distributed.
The Büyük Oda Ağası commands the Greater Chamber, while the Küçük Oda Ağası commands the Lesser Chamber. These two officers oversee different divisions of the women’s apartments and ensure discipline, order, and obedience within them.
Another officer is the Baş Kapı Oğlanı, or chief porter of the women’s quarters. He controls access to the apartments and ensures that no unauthorized person enters.
Finally, there are two Mescidci Başı, who act as imams or priests of the royal mosque belonging to the Queen Mother. They are appointed to lead prayers for the women and to supervise religious observances within her household Guided Tours Istanbul.
Entering the Women’s Apartments of the Seraglio
Since we have now come to the quarters of the Black Eunuchs, who guard the secluded women of the Seraglio, it would be discourteous to leave the reader at the door without some account of what lies beyond. Although my own knowledge of these inner apartments is limited, as access to them was extremely restricted, I shall relate what I have learned from reliable reports.
The women of the Seraglio are carefully guarded, closely supervised, and entirely separated from the outside world. Their lives are shaped by strict rules, discipline, and constant observation. From a young age, they are educated in manners, obedience, household skills, music, and needlework. All of this training is meant to prepare them for one purpose: to gain the favor of the Sultan.
Unlike the knights of old tales, who endured hardship and danger to win the love of a single lady, here the situation is reversed. An entire assembly of young women dedicates its life to attracting the attention of one master. A single glance, word, or invitation from the Sultan is considered the highest reward.
Origins of the Women of the Seraglio
These women are most often captives taken in war, both by land and sea. They come from many distant regions, as far as the reach of the Ottoman armies or the raids of the Tartars. As a result, they are drawn from many nations and cultures.
None are admitted unless they are young, beautiful, and believed to be virgins. In this way, the Seraglio became a gathering of women from across the world, all living in strict confinement, united by the same hope of rising through the Sultan’s favor.