Selim the Grim
This replica from the 16th century 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 Selim the Grim
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 give you
health, long life and victory…
Selim
the Grim is one of the sultans of Ottoman Empire about whom numerous myths
were spread. He was son to Bayezid II and Gulbahar Hatun, born in 1470 and
died in 1520. He was thoroughly educated in mathematics, religion, social,
physical, political and military sciences of the era by the best teachers of
the time; he was as well able to speak Arabic and Persian good enough to
write a poetry book in each language. He was a poet, he valued love
massively. He was also a religious person. Selim rebelled and dethroned his
father Bayezid and dramatically expanded the frontiers of the Empire. Below
text about the Sultan who had excessive respect for science and teachers
despite of his majestic nature is completely based on a true
story.
After the victory of Battle of Ridanieh in 1517,
Selim the Grim who provided peace on the holy ground was going back to
Istanbul with his army.
During the journey, the mud
splashing from the hooves of his mentor Kemal Pasazade’s horse dirtied the
Sultan’s kaftan.
Kemal Pasazade was embarrassed,
frightened, could not know what to say. All the witnesses were waiting in
fear for his reaction.
The Sultan who saw his master’s face
and after eyeing around with a smile he consoled his master
saying:
"The mud coming from the hooves of my
master’s horse is rather an honour for me. Make it my will; spread this
kaftan as it is over my coffin when I die!"
When
Selim the Grim got sick, his teachers resorted to a talismanic shirt to find
cure for their Sultan. They consulted the Head Augur. The Head Augur
designated the propitious moment for talisman to be the most effective. A
shirt got tailored quickly, became ready to wear after the calligraphers
writings were completed. They worked even faster as the Sultan of the world
was despairingly sick.
After intensive work, the shirt from
white cotton cloth is short sleeved and collarless with front slit. What
makes the shirt interesting is the various powerful prayers and prophecies on
both front and back side of the shirt. These are kinds of talismans that are
made of numbers and letters. They are often known for their use against evil
eyes and witchery. These prayers and prophecies are some sort of precaution
for dreadful events in the future. There are also Surahs that act as a shield
against diseases, bring victory to the warrior, protect the owner of this
talismanic shirt. Sadly, beloved Sultan of the masters who had this special
shirt made never got to wear the shirt. Despite of the meticulous couture and
particular composition, deficient calligraphs show that the shirt was
rushed.
Regrettably, the winds were the carrier of the news
that Selim the Grim passed away from this world; his kaftan with the dirt
from the hooves of his master’s horse was spread over his coffin as he
bequeathed so.
