Why Turkish Sultans Married Russian Women: And Almost Never Turkish Women

The Ottoman Empire existed for more than 600 years – until it was transformed into the Republic of Turkey in 1922. In the same year, the sultanate was abolished in Turkey. Sultans remained only in ancient legends – and in colorful TV shows.

In fact, the Ottoman rulers almost never entered into formal marriages. They simply cohabited with numerous concubines – who gave them children “of the blood of the Ottoman dynasty”. At the same time, history knows only two cases when local women became the mothers of future sultans. From Turkish women were born Osman I (1258-1326) and his son Orhan I (1324-1362). The other sultans were born to foreign women, who eventually adopted (partly for the official status of their sons) Islam.

Most often, Russian, Greek, Georgian and Bulgarian concubines were found in the harems of the sultans. At a young age, they were specially brought to the Ottoman Empire and brought up for later life and “service” to the ruler: for example, they were taught literacy, music and various arts. Almost always these girls were Christians: after all, it is strictly forbidden for Muslim women to have intimate relations before marriage, and a real marriage in life with the sultan is not expected.

Read also: How in Russia they met girls who fled the harem to return to their country of origin

Historians believe that the Ottoman sultans had nothing to do with local girls, not just because of religion. Experts say the main reason is that they didn’t want to get involved with local families. Foreign slaves had to forget their loved ones – and the past, life outside the court in general. But it was impossible to do this with Turkish brides. The sultan should distribute titles and wealth to his many relatives: after all, he has no right not to respect his wife’s family, and even Muslim women!

Also, the sultans preferred to marry foreigners, so as not to create large and strong intertwined dynasties. It happened that the parents of Turkish brides put the sultans in a difficult position and tried to influence their decisions. That is why, from about the 15th century until the end of the existence of the Ottoman Empire, only foreigners became the chosen ones of the sultans. And the names of some of them have even gone down in history!