Kösem Sultan, also known as Mahpeyker Sultan, was Haseki Sultan of the Ottoman Empire as the chief consort of the Ottoman Sultan Ahmed I, Valide Sultan as the mother of sultans Murad IV and Ibrahim, and Büyük Valide Sultan as the grandmother of Sultan Mehmed IV. She became one of the most powerful and influential women in Ottoman history as well as a central figure during the period known as the Sultanate of Women.
Portrait of Kösem Sultan, Venetian school, c. 17th century
Portrait of Ahmed I (by John Young, 1815)
Oil painting depicting the young Murad IV (anonymous, c. 17th century)
Kösem Sultan's letter to the Grand Vizier Hüsrev Pasha, 1627.
Haseki Sultan was the title used for the chief consort of an Ottoman sultan. In later years, the meaning of the title changed to "imperial consort". Hurrem Sultan, principal consort and legal wife of Suleiman the Magnificent, was the first holder of this title. The title lost its exclusivity under Ibrahim I, who bestowed it upon eight women simultaneously. The title haseki sultan was used until the 17th century. After that, kadınefendi became the highest ranking title for imperial consorts, although this title was not as prestigious as haseki sultan.
Image: Haseki Huerrem Sultan Roxelane
Image: Safiye sultan l
Image: A portrait of Kösem Sultan
Image: Turhan Hatice
