Haseki Hürrem Sultan
 Western sources refer to her variously as Roxelana, Rosa,
Rosanne, Rossa, Ruziac or La Rossa. She is generally believed to have been enslaved during
raids by the Crimean Turks on Ukraine and Galcia during the reign of Yavuz Sultan Selim,
and presented to the Ottoman palace. Of the diverse theories about her ethnic origin, it
is most likely that she was Russian or Polish. Although the opinion that she was Russian
was widely held in both Europe and Turkey, there is evidence that Hürrem Sultan
considered herself to be Polish. She was given the name Hürrem, on account of her
cheerful temperament. As astute as she was attractive, and with a ready wit, Hürrem was
to become Süleyman the Magnificent’s most beloved
concubine. Her influence over him was proverbial. When her first child was born, Hürrem
desired to leave the palace, at which Süleyman flouted tradition by officially
solemnizing the marriage. Hürrem Sultan gave birth to four sons, Mehmed, Selim, Bayezid
and Cihangir, and one daughter, Mihrumâh. To ensure
that one of her own sons would succeed to the throne, she did everything in her power to
turn Süleyman against his eldest son and heir Mustafa. She also conspired to bring about
the execution of Grand Vezir İbrahim Paşa, who was a staunch supporter
of Şehzade Mustafa. She persuaded Süleyman to appoint as grand vizier
their daughter Mihrumâh husband Rüstem Paşa, then Governor-General of Diyarbakır. Both European and Ottoman writers agree that
Hürrem Sultan, her daughter, and son-in-law schemed to bring about the death of Şehzade
Mustafa.
From Hürrem Sultan’s letters written to Süleyman when he was on campaign, we learn
that she advised him on political matters. The letters of congratulation and gifts sent to
the Polish King Zigsmund II by Hürrem and Mihrumâh, and the correspondence between
Hürrem and the sister of Shah Tahmasp of Iran are cited as evidence of her influential
role in politics and foreign affairs.
During her later life, Hürrem Sultan became more concerned with charitable works and
founded a number of institutions, becoming the first woman to endow a mosque complex in
Istanbul. She first commissioned the architect Sinan to build the Haseki Külliye
(complex) consisting of a mosque, medrese, school and imaret (public kitchen),
adding a hospital later. The çifte hamam (double bath house with sections for
both men and women) opposite Haghia Sophia and Kağıthane Mosque in Istanbul were also
endowed by Hürrem Sultan. In addition she end Awed a mosque in Edirne, a mosque in
Ankara, dervish lodges (zaviye) in Thrace and Karapınar, a mosque, kervansaray
(caravansaray) and imaret in Jerusalem, and an imaret and four medreses in Mecca. The
endowment deeds (vakfiye) for these have been preserved.
Hürrem Sultan died in April 1558 and lies in her tomb in the graveyard of Süleymaniye Mosque.
- Other documents:
- Letter written by Hürrem Sultan
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