Bayezid II

The Story Behind

This replica from 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 Bayezid II according
to the prayers, motives and meanings of the talisman and therefore was
adorned with one of his poems…

May this
talisman protect you, bring you victory, health, happiness and fortune… May
it be your bliss and wealth…

He was
just 7 years old when he became the governor of Amasya. All of the famous
scholars of the time were impressed by him. He was exceptionally educated in
philosophy, mathematics, calligraphy as well as in Persian and Arabic. He
learned the dialect of Cagatay and alphabet of Uygur, two old dynasties in
Turkish history. He was a religious person, a musician and calligrapher… He
became a successful statesman. He fought various wars for his nation. He was,
in addition to all these, a man of art… His interest in architecture and
poetry was resounded. He was so interested that at a time when the city went
through one of the strongest earthquakes of the time and the destroyed city
was built again with massive perseverance and endeavour.

Having
interest in science and arts, Sultan Bayezid II was also a hunting
enthusiast. One day while he was coming back from hunting, he smelled
something alluring, magical and peaceful in the air. He took a deep breath
and questioned where the smell was coming from. He, then, turned towards the
house of a person called "Gül Baba" with the direction of
his Grand Vizier. He walked in to the house saying "Accept my
greetings, the brave soldier who rocks the ground he steps in the war, who
turns the place he lives into a rose garden." Everywhere was
surrounded by beautiful flowers. It was Gül Baba’s house… He invited this
respectable person in to his palace to take him under his care. However, Gül
Baba had rather another wish instead of moving to the palace. The man with
the whitest beard, with the brightest face wished a school to be built where
there his house now after he dies… He offered the Sultan a bouquet of yellow
and red roses and he sent him off after a pleasant conversation. Bayezid II
fulfilled Gül Baba’s wish short while following his death and today’s
Galatasaray High School which takes its colours from the yellow and red roses
rising from Gül Baba’s garden was built.

Everyone wished a
longer enthronement in the palace of a such merciful and good person.
Therefore many talismanic shirts were weaved for Sultan Bayezid… Some would
protect him during the wars, some would give him health, some would protect
him from the evil eyes. And this shirt is the one to give him power and bring
him victories in the wars he fights… Yet again another story of a shirt
started. There were prayers, goodwills on it… The Head Augur completed his
works, the cloths were weaved and calligraphers took their pens and inks in
hand and started to adorn the shirt. The shirt was garnished with yellow
stars and flower patterns and coloured with the power of colour blue. This
shirt weaved only for Sultan Bayezid was finally read to wear… The time
passed so quickly that it was 31 years of Sultan Bayezid’s reign…
Unfortunately when his final days on the throne of Sultan Bayezid came
closer, his astute son Selim who was also supported by the janissaries was
invited to Istanbul. Selim appeared before Sultan Bayezid and kissed hands on
April 24. "Do not leave the path of justice, be merciful to those in
need and incapable. Show compassion to the helpless, if you want to be
respected, show respect; do not resort to unkind actions unless it is
necessary." Bayezid told his son Selim who was standing in front of
him hands clasped and after saying many prayers, he handed over his
sultanate, his reign to his son…