The Harem's Hand: Ottoman Women in Palace Intrigue

In this episode, we explore the political maneuvering of Ottoman harem women beyond the well-known figures of Hürrem and Kösem. Focusing on the 17th-century power struggle between Turhan Sultan and Kösem Sultan, we delve into the regency crisis of 1648-1651, when Turhan, as mother of Mehmed IV, fought for control against her mother-in-law Kösem. We examine the roles of the kızlar ağası (chief black eunuch) and the janissaries, the use of vakıf endowments, and the construction of the Yeni Mosque in Eminönü as a symbol of power. The episode highlights the murder of Kösem Sultan in 1651 and Turhan's eventual rise as valide sultan, shaping Ottoman politics for decades. #OttomanEmpire #HaremPolitics #TurhanSultan #KösemSultan #ValideSultan #TopkapiPalace #SultanateOfWomen #KizlarAgasi #Janissaries #YeniMosque #Eminönü #MehmedIV #RegencyCrisis #Vakıf #WomenInHistory #17thCentury #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo