Bayezid II
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 on the shirt and
therefore was adorned with one of his
poems…
May this talisman keep any
mishap, calamity, unrest and malediction away from
you…
The 8th Sultan of Ottoman Empire
was the owner of this talismanic shirt… The son of Mehmet the Conquerer…
Bayezid II… He had an excellent education before his sultanate; he was well
informed about almost all sciences of his era. He was aware of being the son
of a great emperor. Bayezid succeeded to the throne after the death of his
father yet power struggle with his brother Sultan Cem continued for a long
time… Sultan Bayezid was worn out because of this struggle, he was rather
upset about it. His conversations with the woman he was in love, Gulbahar
Hatun, became inadequate to wipe out his sadness. He was the one sitting on
the throne but the shadow of Sultan Cem was always around it. The rumours
roaming around people were also depressing…
Although he was
very faithful and spiritual, he never managed to visit Ka’bah where he
wholeheartedly wished to visit. He ordered the Head Augur a talismanic shirt
to tell his devotion to God. He specifically asked for Ka’bah symbol and
certain prayers. After having calculated the propitious moment, the Head
Augur started the preparation process of the shirt. This talismanic shirt
weaved by the master hands is made of silk, differing from the other shirts.
The ornament is solely based on the Sultan’s wishes.
The
front side of the shirt features numerous surahs and verses from Quran. There
are charms on the both sides of the shirt; these charms are sort of sorcery
meaning wealth, peace and livelihood. Other symbols are used as well for health
and long life. The most important detail of this shirt is the successfully
depicted Ka’bah pattern placed on the right chest.
The
prayers and verses on the shirt state the greatness and oneness of God; that
God is the only one to be praised. The silk cotton is an expression of
respect for the fine ornaments of the shirt. The Ka’bah depiction is placed
to end gossips and evil thoughts.
He was the Sultan of both
his empire and love. He needed to faithfully protect everything he
had.
The story of the shirt, however, is not limited to
this certain subject. Sultan Bayezid loved Gulbahar Hatun the most amongst
his wives. He would talk to her about various things; they would exchange
ideas… During the making of this shirt started Sultan Bayezid to keep
Gulbahar Hatun at a distance for some reason; he absented himself from her,
stopped having pleasant conversations with her. Gulbahar Hatun who was
heartbroken for what was happening secretly consulted the Head Augur and
asked him to engrave fondness charms on the back of the shirt. So that they
would be close again; go back to their happy and convivial
days.
Rumour has it the moment the shirt was done and he
touched it, Gulbahar Hatun and Bayezid II were reunited and their love was
never again clouded…
