History of Turhan Hatice Sultan

Turhan Hatice Sultan is a significant figure in Ottoman history, primarily known for her role in politics during the 17th century. Born around 1627, likely in the region that is now Ukraine, she was of Ruthenian origin and was brought into the Ottoman Empire as part of the devşirme system or through capture during the frequent raids conducted on the Eastern European steppes. She eventually entered the harem of the Ottoman Sultan Ibrahim I, where she bore the future Sultan Mehmed IV.

Turhan Hatice Sultan rose to prominence during a tumultuous period in Ottoman history, marked by internal strife, weak sultans, and external pressures. Her ascendancy in the political arena was catalyzed by the death of her husband, Sultan Ibrahim I, who was deposed and executed due to his erratic behavior and inability to handle state affairs effectively. In 1648, her son, Mehmed IV, ascended to the throne as a child, leading to the appointment of a regent due to his young age. This set the stage for Turhan Hatice Sultan’s political career, as she would effectively rule the empire during her son's minority.

The initial regency was granted to Kösem Sultan, the mother of Ibrahim I and grandmother of Mehmed IV. However, Turhan Hatice Sultan and Kösem Sultan soon became embroiled in a power struggle. Kösem Sultan had been a formidable political figure herself, having served as a regent for two previous sultans. Yet, Turhan proved to be a formidable adversary, and the rivalry culminated in Kösem Sultan's assassination in 1651, allegedly orchestrated by Turhan's supporters. With Kösem out of the way, Turhan Hatice Sultan assumed the role of Valide Sultan (Queen Mother) and regent for her son.

As Valide Sultan, Turhan was a central figure in what is known as the Sultanate of Women—a period in Ottoman history when women of the imperial harem wielded extraordinary political power. While her son held the title of Sultan, the real power often rested with Turhan Hatice Sultan, who influenced critical decisions and appointments.

One of her most notable contributions was her involvement in addressing the empire's administrative and military challenges. The Ottoman Empire during this period was experiencing significant pressures externally from the Habsburgs, Venetians, and Safavids, and internally from economic instability and corruption. Turhan Hatice Sultan's political foresight was demonstrated in her support of able statesmen, such as the Grand Vizier Köprülü Mehmed Pasha. The Köprülü family came to dominate the administration, implementing a series of reforms that sought to check the the empire’s decline, restore order to the military, and stabilize the economy. Under Köprülü Mehmed Pasha and later his son Köprülü Fazıl Ahmed Pasha, the empire regained some of its lost territories and began a period of revitalization.

Turhan Hatice Sultan’s influence extended beyond immediate political considerations to cultural and architectural patronage, which was a common means of legitimizing and immortalizing her influence. She commissioned several architectural projects, the most notable being the Yeni Mosque (New Mosque) in Istanbul. Initially commenced by Safiye Sultan, the project had stalled due to financial constraints and political changes. Turhan Hatice Sultan revived and brought it to completion, employing the renowned architect Mustafa Ağa. The mosque complex, finished in 1665, stands as an enduring symbol of her legacy in Istanbul, complemented by a nearby market and other public amenities, emphasizing the central role of imperial women in Ottoman architectural patronage.

Her period of influence gradually waned as her son Mehmed IV reached adulthood, yet the impact of her regency remained significant. The partnerships she cultivated with administrative elites set a precedent for future balances of power between the monarchy and the bureaucracy within the empire.

Turhan Hatice Sultan died in 1683, but her legacy lived on through her contributions to the Ottoman Empire's political and cultural landscape. Interestingly, her life and career embody the complexities and dynamics of court politics in the Ottoman imperial system, illustrating how women, despite the constraints of the harem, could exert considerable influence over state policies and direction.

In conclusion, Turhan Hatice Sultan's historical role highlights the often-underappreciated agency of women in Ottoman history, demonstrating the lengths to which imperial women could ascend within the structures of power in one of the world’s most significant empires. Her tenure as a political leader during the Sultanate of Women marks a significant chapter in the broader narrative of women’s roles in governance and political life in history.