Zia Wesley's Blog: The Veil and the Crown - Posts Tagged "grand-vizier"

“Will I live with this Kizlar Agasi as I live here with you? And when will I go to the Sultan?”

“Live with the Kizlar Agasi?” he laughed. “No, no my sweet. You will live in the harem with all of the other odalisques—the women belonging to the Sultan. The Kizlar Agasi and his men protect and serve the harem. He is the most important person in the Sultan’s employ, and you must make him your ally. He is in charge of the harem, and it is he who will bring you to the Sultan. Remember this dear one, make the Kizlar Agasi your friend and you will need no others.”

From The Stolen Girl – Book 1 of The Veil and The Crown by Zia Wesley

Due to his proximity to the Sultan and the role the women of the harem played in court intrigues, the Kizlar Agha ranked among the most important posts in the Ottoman Empire. The post was traditionally occupied by African eunuch slaves, which garnered the alternate title of Chief Black Eunuch. Black eunuchs were believed to be more trustworthy in the harem because they were totally castrated -- unlike the white eunuchs who only lost their testicles.

The roles of the two separate groups were clearly defined: white eunuchs were relegated to the male quarters of the palace, while black eunuchs were tasked with the supervision of the Sultan’s private palace apartments and his harem.

The Kizlar Agha also served as an intermediary between the women of the harem and the male servants of the palace as well as the sultan. He was the only one allowed to carry communications between the sultan and the Grand Vizier, which gave him considerable political clout. Other duties included overseeing the early education of the imperial princes, and investing funds belonging to the Valide Sultana (The Queen Mother, who dominated internal politics within the palace). His unique position also enabled the amassing of great wealth and carried the right to retire from service. Traditionally, Kizlar Aghas retired as extremely wealthy men.

In the 1830s, governmental reforms initiated by Nakshidil’s son, Sultan Mahmud II, curtailed the power of the Kizlar Agha and relegated the post to a more ceremonial role.