Beshir Agha was an Ottoman eunuch.[1]

Career

Fountain in Istanbul patronage by Beshir Agha

Agha was born in Ethiopia and was brought to Ottoman Empire as a slave.[2] He held various positions before his 1713 exile to Cyprus for unknown reasons. Despite this, he soon protected the Prophet's Mosque in Medina as one of the numerous eunuchs.[3] Around age 60, he returned to Istanbul and was appointed Chief Harem Eunuch under Sultan Ahmed III in 1716.[3]

Engaging in literary pursuits and politics, Agha deposed the previous grand vizier, promoting Nevşehirli Damat Ibrahim Pasha in his place.[3]

Although Ahmed III was overthrown in 1730, Agha continued as chief eunuch under Sultan Mahmud I, accruing significant authority.[3] As protector of the Holy Places, he influenced the Ottoman interpretation of Sunni Islam, particularly the Hanafi legal rite.[3] At times, his position was second only to the sultan and grand vizier.[3]

By his 1746 death, Agha, in his 90s, had become one of the wealthiest, most powerful, and longest-lived chief harem eunuchs in Ottoman history.[3]

References

  1. ↑ "Beshir Agha: Chief Eunuch of the Ottoman Imperial Harem | Department of Near Eastern Studies".
  2. ↑ "Beshir Agha: Chief Eunuch of the Ottoman Imperial Harem".
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Beshir Agha: Chief eunuch of the Ottoman imperial harem". Hürriyet Daily News.

Further reading

  • Hathaway, Jane (2005). Beshir Agha: Chief Eunuch of the Ottoman Imperial Harem Investigators
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