As the pages advanced in rank and responsibility, their pay and daily allowance also increased. At first, they received only four or five aspers a day. After promotion, their salary rose to eight aspers or more. This increase was not only financial but also symbolic, showing that they were gaining the Sultan’s trust and moving closer to positions of importance within the Seraglio.
From this stage, they were transferred to more respected and sensitive departments of the palace.
Service in the Treasury and Dispensary
After their early promotions, the pages were placed in either the Hazna Oda, the Chamber of the Treasury, or the Kilar, also known as the Dispensary. In the Treasury, valuable goods, money, and precious objects belonging to the Grand Signior were kept. In the Dispensary, drinks, cordials, medicines, and rich beverages prepared for the Sultan’s use were stored and managed.
These positions required honesty, discipline, and careful behavior. Only those considered trustworthy were allowed to serve in these chambers, as any mistake could lead to severe punishment.
The Highest Chamber: The Haz Oda
From the Treasury and the Dispensary, the most capable pages were selected for the Haz Oda, the highest and most honorable chamber of the Seraglio. This chamber consisted of forty pages, whose main duty was to attend directly upon the person of the Grand Signior himself.
Among these forty pages, twelve held the chief offices of the court, each responsible for a specific and intimate service Private Istanbul Tour.
The Twelve Chief Officers of the Court
Seliktar-Aga – the Sultan’s sword-bearer.
Chiohadar-Aga – the officer who carried the Sultan’s cloak or outer garment in bad weather.
Rekibdar-Aga – the one who held the Sultan’s stirrup when he mounted his horse.
Ibriktar-Aga – responsible for carrying water for the Sultan to drink or wash.
Turbendar-Aga – in charge of preparing and arranging the Sultan’s turban.
Kiler Hüsar-Aga – keeper of the wardrobe and overseer of the washing of the Sultan’s linen.
Çeşnigirbaşı – the chief taster, who tested food for safety.
Zağarcıbaşı – chief officer in charge of the hunting dogs.
Tırnakçıbaşı – responsible for trimming the Sultan’s nails.
Berberbaşı – the chief barber.
Muhasebecibaşı – the chief accountant.
Tezkirecibaşı – the Sultan’s secretary.
Other Respected Officers
There were also two other important officers in the court: the Doğancıbaşı, or chief falconer, and the Hamamcıbaşı, or chief officer of the baths. Although these positions were highly respected, their offices and living quarters were separate from the Royal Chamber. Because they did not serve directly within it, they were not eligible for higher promotion.