Murad IV
This replica exhibited in your room is of one of the 87
talismanic shirts from the Collection of Sultan’s Clothing at Topkapi Palace
and it is considered to have belonged to Murat VI according to the prayers,
motives and meanings of the talisman on the shirt and therefore was adorned
with one of his poems…
May this talisman
protect you from the evil and calamities; illuminate your
road…
He was the son of Kosem Sultan
and Ahmed I. Murat IV was an art lover, brave warrior, reformist emperor. He
was very young when he succeeded to the throne; he was governing an empire
while his peers were enjoying their 11 years of age. He suddenly found
himself in the middle of a struggle power.
His mother Kosem
Sultan took over the government until Murat IV completed his education.
Leading under protection of his mother might have been looked down upon by
some. But it only fuelled him even more to become a great leader. Murat IV
eventually became a successful sultan.
As much as he was
known for his tough nature and prescriptivism, Murat IV was also recognised
for his charitableness. He would supply food for the hungry, elate those in
need. He always applied "Generousness leads to
prosperousness" philosophy to his life. Even though he was yet a
child when he ascended, he was prospering. He came victorious out of Safavid
Iran and Baghdad Wars and wrote history as the biggest marshall of 17th
century.
He would go on expeditions with prayers in mind,
faith at heart and the talismanic shirt embedded golden prayers that would
protect him at all times…
The shirt is made of white thin
processed cotton; kaftan-like, collarless, lining-free and short sleeved. The
surface of the shirt is divided into red squares and rectangles. The most
outstanding feature of this shirt is the two small rectangles on gold, placed
on the each side of the front slit with two texts in them; one reading
"Murat" and the other one "Heir". Leaving
the back of the shirt untouched is another important feature of the shirt.
The shirt is so called inelaborate, there are only prayers to show gratitude
for God.
Murat IV spoke Arabic and Persian fluently; he
wrote poems and composed songs. He, himself, was a calligrapher as well. The
palace was surrounded by the sultan’s own calligraphy art pieces. He was
known for literature and music societies around the
palace.
Murat IV takes part in Ottoman history as an
authoritarian yet successful sultan. He passed away on a snowy day of winter
when he was just 28 years old.
We wanted to honour this
talismanic shirt presented in your room with one of deathless poems of Murat
IV.
