Episodes
The Harem's Chocolatier: Ottoman Sweet Trade and Power
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the surprisingly political world of Ottoman palace sweets. From the imperial kitchens' halva shops to the tulip-shaped chocolate cups of the 18th century, they trace how sugar shaped diplomacy, charity, and even royal marriages. Along the way, they meet the chief confectioner, the Helvacıbaşı, and learn how a young woman named Emine, a cariye in the harem, used her knowledge of chocolate to rise through the ranks. They discuss the role of sweets in the…
The Harem's Ottoman Princesses: Power and Exile
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the lives of Ottoman princesses — the sultan's daughters and sisters — who wielded immense political influence through marriage alliances, vast wealth, and architectural patronage, yet lived under the shadow of the kafes and the constant threat of exile. From Mihrimah Sultan, the daughter of Süleyman the Magnificent, who funded Mimar Sinan's grand mosques, to the tragic story of Fatma Sultan, married to a grand vizier more than twice her age, the…
The Harem's Chief Black Eunuch: Gatekeeper of Power at Topkapı
In this episode of Fexingo History, Lucas and Luna explore the rise of the Kızlar Ağası, the chief black eunuch of the Ottoman harem, whose influence stretched from the imperial palace to the highest echelons of state. Through the career of Hacı Beşir Ağa, who served three sultans and shaped the Tulip Period, we uncover how a castrated slave could become one of the most powerful men in the empire. From his role in managing the harem's finances to his political maneuvering during the Patrona…
Harem's Architects: Mihrimah Sultan's Legacy
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the life of Mihrimah Sultan, daughter of Süleyman the Magnificent and Hürrem Sultan. They discuss her unusual position as a princess who never left the palace, her immense wealth, and her role in Ottoman politics. The episode focuses on her architectural patronage, particularly the two Istanbul mosques bearing her name, and how she used vakıf endowments to secure her legacy. It also touches on her diplomatic efforts, including her correspondence with…
The Harem's Diplomats: Women Who Shaped Ottoman Foreign Policy
In this episode of Fexingo History, Lucas and Luna dive into the hidden world of Ottoman harem diplomacy, focusing on the women who negotiated with foreign powers long before the Tanzimat reforms. From Nurbanu Sultan's secret letters to Venice to Safiye Sultan's direct correspondence with Queen Elizabeth I, these valide sultans and haseki sultans managed international alliances, trade agreements, and even naval operations from behind the Topkapı Palace walls. We follow the extraordinary careers…
The Harem School: Educating Ottoman Princesses and Concubines
Step inside the Ottoman harem's hidden classrooms, where princesses and concubines were educated in the arts, languages, and statecraft. Lucas and Luna explore the kalfas who taught calligraphy and music, the young women who rose from slave to queen mother, and the little-known story of Mihrişah Sultan, the valide sultan who turned her private academy into a public school network. From the Old Palace's training grounds to the imperial schools that shaped Tanzimat-era women, this episode reveals…
The Queen Mother's Court: Valide Sultan's Political Machine
Behind every Ottoman sultan stood his mother — the valide sultan — who ran a vast political network from the heart of the harem. In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore how these queen mothers wielded power that rivaled the grand vizier. Through the stories of Nurbanu, Safiye, Kösem, and Turhan, we see how the Valide Sultan's court functioned: her council of eunuchs, her spies, her control over appointments and succession. We trace the evolution of her role from Hürrem's unprecedented influence…
The Harem's Bookkeepers: Women Who Ran Ottoman Finance
In this episode, Lucas and Luna dig into the women who managed the Ottoman harem's money — the kethüdas, treasurers, and vakıf administrators who turned the private world of the palace into a financial powerhouse. They trace how Hürrem Sultan established the first great harem endowment, how Nurbanu and Safiye expanded investments, and how Kösem and Turhan used their wealth to fund public works and political influence. Along the way, they uncover the roles of the Harem's head treasurer…
Safiye Sultan and the Venetian Merchant Networks
In the late sixteenth century, a Venetian noblewoman's daughter—Safiye Sultan—rose from harem consort to the most powerful woman in the Ottoman Empire. Her influence stretched far beyond the palace walls, reaching into the Venetian merchant community through a network of Jewish women known as 'kira.' This episode traces Safiye's journey from the Venetian lagoon to the Topkapı harem, her partnership with the Jewish kira Chiara Galante, and the commercial letters she exchanged with Queen…
Hurrem Sultan's Rise: Harem Politics and Ottoman Power
In this episode of Fexingo History, we explore the remarkable rise of Hürrem Sultan, the first Haseki Sultan who broke centuries of harem tradition. From her origins as a captive from Ruthenia to her marriage to Süleyman the Magnificent, Hürrem redefined the role of the queen consort. We discuss her political influence, her rivalry with Mahidevran, her patronage of public works, and how she navigated the treacherous politics of the Topkapı Palace. We also touch on her correspondence with the…
The Harem's Bazaar: Trade Spice and Ottoman Women's Economy
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore how the women of the Ottoman harem shaped the empire's economy through trade, patronage, and conspicuous consumption. From the bustling corridors of the Mısır Çarşısı (Spice Bazaar) to the lucrative contracts managed by the valide sultan, we trace the flow of coffee, silk, and jewels into the imperial palace. Learn about the devşirme, the Harem-i Hümayun's complex hierarchy, and how sultanas like Kösem and Turhan used their wealth to fund mosques…
The Musical Harem: Ottoman Women's Bands and Power
In this episode, we explore the hidden world of Ottoman harem music — the female orchestras, singers, and composers who performed within the palace walls and beyond. From the establishment of the Imperial Music School by Sultan Selim III to the influential role of Dilhayat Kalfa, a celebrated composer and musician, we trace how musical talent provided women with agency, status, and a voice in a deeply hierarchical society. Discover the repertoire of the harem's female ensembles, their training…
Imperial Nurses: The Women Who Cared for Ottoman Royals
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the hidden world of the harem's medical staff—the imperial nurses and physicians who attended to the Ottoman royal family. From the head physician Sheyhulislam to the female medical officers known as tabibe, we uncover how these women combined practical medicine with political influence. We discuss the role of the kızlar ağası in guarding health, the use of the famous Turkish bath as a site of diagnosis, and the overlooked contributions of women like…
The Harem's Doctors: Medicine, Poison, and Healing Within Ottoman Walls
In this episode, Lucas and Luna step inside the Ottoman harem's infirmary, where a hidden world of physicians, surgeons, and apothecaries cared for the dynasty's most powerful women. They trace the rise of Jewish and Muslim medical practitioners who served from the reign of Süleyman the Magnificent through the Tanzimat era, revealing how harem medicine blended Ottoman, Greek, and Islamic traditions. Along the way, they uncover a suspected poisoning plot involving Sultan Murad III's Jewish…
The Harem's Garden: Power and Politics in the Ottoman Palace Grounds
In this episode, Lucas and Luna wander through the hidden gardens of Topkapı Palace, where sultans strolled, concubines conspired, and the fate of an empire was sometimes decided among the roses and tulips. From the tulip craze of the eighteenth century to the quiet diplomacy of the Harem's inner courtyards, we explore how the physical layout of the palace shaped the social and political dynamics of the Ottoman court. Discover how the Valide Sultan's private garden became a stage for…
Harem's Lasting Mark: Ottoman Women's Legacy in Istanbul
In this episode of Fexingo History, Lucas and Luna explore how Ottoman harem women left a permanent mark on Istanbul's skyline and society, from the Valide Sultan's mosques and fountains to the charitable foundations that still function today. Building on earlier episodes about specific sultans and eunuchs, we zoom out to see the broader architectural and philanthropic legacy. Discover the Yeni Cami's role in Eminönü, the Bezmialem Valide Sultan's hospital and mosque, the Dolmabahçe Mosque, and…
The Harem's Master of the Keys: Kızlar Ağası and Inner Power
In Episode 192 of Fexingo History, Lucas and Luna explore the pivotal role of the Kızlar Ağası, the Chief Black Eunuch of the Ottoman Harem, focusing on the long shadow of Hacı Beşir Ağa. They trace his rise from Abkhazian slave to the most powerful official at Topkapı Palace, his influence over sultans Mahmud I, Osman III, and Mustafa III, and his part in the Patrona Halil rebellion. The episode unpacks the bureaucracy of the harem: the Ağa's control over access to the Valide Sultan, his…
The Harem's Chief Black Eunuch: Gatekeeper of Power at Topkapı
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the extraordinary career of Hacı Beşir Ağa, the Chief Black Eunuch who dominated Ottoman politics for over three decades. From his abduction as a child in Abyssinia to his rise as the second-most powerful man in the empire, Beşir Ağa's story reveals the hidden mechanisms of the imperial harem. They discuss his alliance with Valide Sultan Şehsuvar, his role in the Tulip Period, and his influence over sultans from Ahmed III to Mahmud I. The episode also…
Ahmed I's Dilemma: How the Harem Ended Ottoman Fratricide
In 1603, Sultan Ahmed I faced a brutal choice: execute his mentally unstable younger brother Mustafa, as imperial law required, or break a century-old tradition of fratricide. This episode explores the intense harem politics behind that decision — the influence of his mother Handan Sultan, the concubine Kösem, and the chief black eunuch — and how their lobbying led to the creation of the kafes, the 'cage' where princes lived in luxurious confinement. We'll trace the shift from Mehmed the…
Halime Sultan: The Harem Matriarch Who Restored a Sultan
In 1617, the Ottoman Empire faced an unprecedented crisis: for the first time, a brother succeeded a sultan instead of a son. Behind this shift was Halime Sultan, a former concubine from Abkhazia who became valide sultan when her mentally unstable son Mustafa I took the throne. This episode explores Halime's ruthless political maneuvering—her alliance with the janissaries, her role in the deposition of Mustafa in 1618, her exile to the Old Palace, and her secret plot that culminated in the…
The Jewish Kira Network of the Ottoman Harem
This episode dives into the hidden world of the kira women – Jewish intermediaries who served as bankers, spies, and diplomats for the Ottoman harem. Focused on figures like Esther Handali and Esperanza Malchi, we uncover how they navigated palace intrigue, managed vast fortunes, and even corresponded with Queen Elizabeth I. Their story reveals a complex web of influence that transcended the harem walls. Lucas and Luna explore the power, peril, and legacy of these remarkable women, from Nurbanu…
Bezmialem Sultan: The Harem Builder of Modern Istanbul
In this episode, we meet Bezmialem Sultan, one of the most consequential yet overlooked valide sultans of the late Ottoman Empire. A Georgian slave who rose to become the mother of Sultan Abdülmecid I, Bezmialem used her position to transform Istanbul's public face. We explore her patronage of the Dolmabahçe Mosque, her role in funding the Galata Bridge, and her founding of the Bezmialem Vakıf Gureba Hospital—a major modern medical institution. Set against the backdrop of the Tanzimat reforms…
Turhan Sultan's Regency: The Harem That Saved an Empire
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the remarkable political career of Turhan Sultan, the Valide Sultan who navigated the Ottoman Empire through its darkest hour in the mid-17th century. After the violent murder of Kösem Sultan, Turhan rose to become regent for her young son Mehmed IV, facing a crumbling empire: war with Venice over Crete, mutinous janissaries, and a devastated treasury. Drawing on the harem's network of patronage and power, Turhan made a single decisive move—appointing…
The Valide Sultan Murder: Kösem vs Turhan's Harem Coup
In the mid-17th century, the Ottoman harem's most violent power struggle erupted between two formidable Valide Sultans: the aging Kösem Sultan, who had dominated the empire for nearly 50 years, and her young rival Turhan Sultan, the mother of Sultan Mehmed IV. This episode unpacks the high-stakes conflict that led to Kösem's brutal murder in 1651, orchestrated by the chief black eunuch and janissaries loyal to Turhan. We explore how the harem's internal politics could reshape the empire, the…
Foreign Consorts of the Ottoman Harem
In this episode of Fexingo History, Lucas and Luna explore how the Ottoman Empire's policy of importing slave concubines from diverse regions—Ukraine, Venice, Greece, Albania, and France—created a unique political dynamic. They trace the rise of foreign-born consorts like Hürrem Sultan, the first legally married haseki, to Naksidil Sultan, the French valide who influenced Tanzimat reforms. Learn how these women leveraged their origins to build networks, influence diplomacy, and shape…
The French Valide Sultan: Naksidil and Ottoman Reform
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the remarkable story of Naksidil Sultan, a Frenchwoman from Martinique who was captured and brought to the Ottoman harem, eventually becoming the Valide Sultan to Mahmud II. They discuss her possible connection to Empress Josephine, her influence on the Tanzimat reforms, and how she introduced European ideas into the most secluded chambers of Topkapı Palace. From her rise in the harem of Abdul Hamid I to her role in shaping the modernization of the…
Nurbanu Sultan: The Venetian Valide Who Shaped Ottoman-Venetian Relations
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the extraordinary life of Nurbanu Sultan, the Venetian-born slave who rose to become the most powerful woman in the Ottoman Empire. From her capture as a young girl to her reign as Valide Sultan under Murad III, Nurbanu wielded immense influence over foreign policy, particularly in maintaining peace with Venice. We dive into her correspondence with the Venetian Doge, her patronage of architecture, and her role in the Sultanate of Women. Along the way, we…
The Execution of Şehzade Mustafa: Harem Plot
In 1553, Suleiman the Magnificent ordered the execution of his eldest son, Şehzade Mustafa, a popular prince known for his military prowess. This episode explores the Harem's role in the succession crisis that led to the tragedy. We examine the rivalry between Hürrem Sultan and Mahidevran Sultan, the influence of Grand Vizier Rüstem Pasha, and how false accusations of rebellion were fed to the sultan. The execution, which took place near Ereğli during a Persian campaign, sparked a Janissary…
The Harem's Role in the Murder of Sultan Osman II
In May 1622, Ottoman Sultan Osman II became the first reigning sultan to be killed by his own Janissaries. This episode unpacks the harem's behind-the-scenes maneuvering during the crisis: the frantic negotiations led by the kızlar ağası (chief black eunuch), the terrified cariyes, and the power plays of Kösem Sultan and Valide Sultan Halime as they fought to control the succession. We follow the revolt from the Janissary camp to the palace chambers, the deposition of Osman, the brief return of…
The Kafes: 51 Years in the Ottoman Princes' Cage
What happened to Ottoman princes who never made it to the throne? Before Ahmed I ended fratricide in 1603, a new sultan would kill his brothers. Afterward, they were locked away in a palace prison known as the kafes — the cage. This episode explores the origins of the kafes under Ahmed I, the role of Valide Sultans and black eunuchs in controlling access to the princes, and the harrowing case of Osman III, who spent 51 years in the kafes before ascending the throne at age 55. We discuss how the…
The Harem's Sweet Diplomacy: Ottoman Sugar and Soft Power
In this episode of Fexingo History, Lucas and Luna explore a surprising tool of Ottoman imperial influence: sugar. From the lavish sugar sculptures of the Imperial Procession of 1582 to the strategic gifts of candied fruits sent by Valide Sultan Safiye Sultan to Queen Elizabeth I, we trace how the harem's women used sugar not just for pleasure but for politics. We learn about the cariye trained in confectionery, the role of the kira in diplomatic gift-giving, and the staggering amounts of sugar…
The Harem's Architect: How Ottoman Women Built the Yeni Cami
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the remarkable story of Turhan Sultan, the Valide Sultan who defied her mother-in-law Kösem Sultan and went on to commission one of Istanbul's most iconic landmarks: the Yeni Cami (New Mosque) in Eminönü. We trace her journey from a Ukrainian captive brought as a slave to Topkapı Palace, to becoming the haseki of Sultan Ibrahim and the mother of Mehmed IV. After orchestrating Kösem's assassination, Turhan ruled as regent for her young son and used her…
The Harem's Chief Black Eunuch Hacı Beşir Ağa's Long Shadow
In this episode, Lucas and Luna dive into the remarkable career of Hacı Beşir Ağa, the most powerful Kızlar Ağası (Chief Black Eunuch) in Ottoman history. Serving under three sultans—Ahmed III, Mahmud I, and Osman III—Beşir Ağa dominated the harem and the imperial court for nearly three decades. We explore his origins as a slave from Ethiopia, his rise through the eunuch hierarchy, and his unrivalled influence over the Valide Sultan and the palace. We also discuss his patronage of architecture…
Sultan Abdülhamid II's Harem and the Pan-Islamic Caliphate
When Sultan Abdülhamid II ascended the Ottoman throne in 1876, the harem was no longer the political powerhouse it had been in the days of Kösem and Turhan. But Abdülhamid, a reformer and autocrat, reimagined the harem as a tool of modern statecraft and Pan-Islamic propaganda. In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore how the last powerful sultan used his harem to project a new image of the caliphate, hosting delegations from India, Africa, and Southeast Asia, and deploying wives and concubines…
The Harem's Chief Black Eunuch: Gatekeeper of Power at Topkapı
This episode zeroes in on the most powerful and enigmatic figure in the Ottoman harem: the Chief Black Eunuch, or Kızlar Ağası. We trace the origins of this role from the 16th century, when the practice of using enslaved Black eunuchs to guard the imperial women became institutionalized. The Kızlar Ağası wasn't just a guard — he controlled access to the sultan, managed the harem's vast treasury, brokered alliances between valide sultans and grand viziers, and even oversaw the endowment of major…
The Harem Treasury: Ottoman Women Who Bankrolled an Empire
When we think of Ottoman power, we picture sultans and grand viziers. But behind the throne — literally — the women of the imperial harem controlled vast personal fortunes that shaped the empire's economy. In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the financial empire of the valide sultans: how Kösem Sultan amassed a fortune worth millions, how Turhan Sultan funded the Yeni Cami complex through her own treasury, and how Hürrem Sultan used her wealth to build charitable foundations that still…
The Harem's Chief Black Eunuch Moralı Beşir Ağa
Moralı Beşir Ağa was the most powerful chief black eunuch of the 18th century, serving under Sultans Mahmud I, Osman III, and Mustafa III. This episode explores his rise from slavery in Abyssinia to the pinnacle of harem politics, his vast patronage network that controlled appointments in the imperial government, and his role in suppressing the Patrona Halil rebellion. We also examine his architectural legacy, including the Nuruosmaniye Mosque, and his ultimate downfall and execution in 1752.…
The Harem's Silk Diplomacy: Ottoman Gifts and Political Alliances
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore how the women of the Ottoman harem used silk, textiles, and ceremonial gifts as tools of political influence. From the famous kaftan bestowed upon ambassadors to the intricate hil'at robes that signaled favor and alliance, the harem's control over luxury goods was a quiet but powerful lever in imperial politics. Lucas details the role of the Valide Sultan in commissioning and distributing these textiles, the symbolism of colors and patterns, and how a…
Sultan Ibrahim the Mad Harem Crisis and the Fall of an Empire
In 1648, the Ottoman Empire faced its gravest internal crisis yet: a sultan so unstable that his own mother and the chief black eunuch conspired to remove him. Sultan Ibrahim I, remembered as 'Ibrahim the Mad', was deposed and executed in a palace coup orchestrated by the Valide Sultan Kösem and the Kızlar Ağası. This episode dives into the final months of Ibrahim's reign, exploring how his erratic behavior—from demanding furs from Muscovy to massacring his own concubines—pushed the empire to…
The Harem's Chief Black Eunuch Hacı Beşir Ağa's Long Shadow
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the extraordinary career of Hacı Beşir Ağa, the Chief Black Eunuch who served three sultans and shaped Ottoman politics for over three decades. From his origins in Ethiopia to his rise as the most powerful kızlar ağası in history, we examine how he controlled access to the sultan, managed the harem treasury, and influenced appointments across the empire. We also delve into his architectural legacy, including the Nuruosmaniye Mosque, and his role in the…
The Harem's Chief Black Eunuch Hacı Beşir Ağa's Long Shadow
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the remarkable career of Hacı Beşir Ağa, the most powerful chief black eunuch in Ottoman history. They trace his rise from enslaved palace servant to the Kızlar Ağası, the guardian of the harem and a key power broker for over two decades. The conversation covers how Beşir Ağa controlled access to the valide sultan and the sultan himself, his role in the transition from the Tulip Period to the Patrona Halil rebellion, and his establishment of a network of…
The Harem's Jewish Kira: Esther Handali and Esperanza Malchi
In the golden age of the Sultanate of Women, two Jewish women wielded extraordinary influence from inside the Ottoman harem. Esther Handali and Esperanza Malchi served as kiras — intermediaries, bankers, and diplomatic agents for sultanas like Safiye Sultan. This episode traces their rise from modest backgrounds to the nerve center of imperial politics, where they managed communication between the harem and the outside world, facilitated trade, and even corresponded with Queen Elizabeth I. We…
The Harem's Chief Physician: Medical Power at Topkapı
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the overlooked role of the chief physician (hekimbaşı) within the Ottoman harem, focusing on the 16th century. They discuss how the hekimbaşı was not only a medical authority but also a political confidant, often involved in succession struggles and palace intrigue. The conversation centers on Hekim Yakub, the Jewish physician who attended Sultan Selim II and whose treatment of the sultan's final illness sparked rumors of poisoning. Lucas explains the…
Safiye Sultan: The Albanian Haseki Who Ran an Empire
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the remarkable career of Safiye Sultan, the Venetian-born Albanian haseki who rose to become one of the most powerful valide sultans of the Ottoman Empire. They trace her journey from being captured by Barbary pirates and sold into the harem of Sultan Murad III, to her decades-long dominance as his favorite and later as regent for her son Mehmed III. The conversation examines how Safiye cultivated a network of Jewish kira intermediaries—especially…
Turhan Sultan The Regent Who Defied Kösem and Built the Valide Sultan Mosque
In the mid-17th century, the Ottoman Empire's harem witnessed one of its bloodiest power struggles. This episode tells the story of Turhan Sultan, a Ukrainian-born concubine who became Valide Sultan after her rival Kösem Sultan was murdered in the harem. We explore how Turhan, against all odds, held the regency for her young son Mehmed IV, navigating janissary revolts, vizier intrigues, and the shadow of Kösem's legacy. She commissioned the magnificent Yeni Cami (New Mosque) in Eminönü, a…
The Valide Sultan's Networks: Ottoman Harem Intelligence
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the Valide Sultan's intelligence networks within the Ottoman Harem. They discuss how mothers of sultans, like Kösem and Turhan, managed informants, intercepted letters, and influenced court decisions through a web of eunuchs, kiras, and trusted cariyes. The conversation covers the role of the Harem's chief black eunuch as a go-between, the use of coded messages, and how information flowed between the Harem and the Imperial Council. Lucas explains the…
Harem Education: The Palace School for Royal Women
Episode 162 of our Ottoman harem series looks past the intrigue to examine the formal education system inside Topkapı Palace. We meet the women who taught sultans' daughters, concubines, and even future Valide Sultans in subjects ranging from Islamic jurisprudence and calligraphy to music and diplomacy. Lucas and Luna explore the curriculum of the Harem School, the role of the hoca kadın (female teacher), and how education shaped the political influence of figures like Kösem Sultan and Turhan…
Kösem Sultan and the Harem Regency that Shook an Empire
In the early 17th century, the Ottoman Empire faced a succession crisis. Sultan Ahmed I died young, leaving a child heir and a harem divided. At the center stood Mahpeyker Kösem Sultan, a Greek-born concubine who rose to become the most powerful regent in Ottoman history. This episode follows Kösem's ruthless path from harem favorite to Valide Sultan, her manipulation of the janissaries and the ulema, and her final, bloody confrontation with her own daughter-in-law, Turhan Sultan. We explore…
The Harem's Women as Spies and Diplomats
Beyond the image of luxury and intrigue, the women of the Ottoman imperial harem were active participants in intelligence gathering and diplomatic correspondence. In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore how valide sultans and hasekis like Kösem, Turhan, and Safiye ran spy networks, exchanged coded letters with foreign powers, and shaped policy through information. We examine the role of the kira (Jewish female intermediary) in passing messages, the harem's use of encryption and invisible ink…
The Valide Sultan's Chess: Ottoman Harem Alliances and the Tulip Period
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the intricate power networks within the Ottoman harem during the Tulip Period of the early 18th century, focusing on the strategic alliances and rivalries of Valide Sultan Saliha Sultan and the Grand Vizier Nevşehirli Damat İbrahim Pasha. They discuss how Saliha Sultan used her influence to support the printing press introduced by İbrahim Müteferrika, a controversial innovation that faced opposition from conservative ulema. The conversation also touches…
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