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 IV 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
make you forever invincible and your life
long…

This talismanic shirt belonged to
Murat IV. Its story starts with a dream of Sheik Al-Islam Yahya who was also
a famous poet. In his dream, Murat is a successful emperor however some
things are clouding over his success. Dream interpreters of the palace
foresee that dreadful events might befall upon the Sultan’s life and a
talismanic shirt to show appreciation for God may annihilate these events.
Thereafter consults the Sheik Yahya the Head Augur…

The
rituals start with calculation of the propitious moment by analysing the
birth date of Sultan Murat. The weaving of cloths takes long and toilsome
time. Lastly, the calligraphers do their final touches and the shirt which
will make the success and life of the Sultan everlasting becomes
ready.

The talismanic shirt is made of white cotton cloth;
collarless, short sleeved and with front and back slits. Although the couture
and ornaments are not the best of its kind, the colour choice is what differs
this shirt from the others; various shades of yellow, brown, black and green
are not commonly used on talismanic shirts. Two medallions placed on the
upper front side stand for power and victory. These medallions, each filled
with prayers, are repeatedly used on other parts of the shirt. These prayers
and surahs mean infinite power of God and appreciation for
Him.

Murat IV became sultan when he was 12 years old; being
the youngest sultan of Ottoman Empire until then. For this reason he reigned
under the control of his mother Mahpeyker Kosem Sultan for a long time. By
the time Sultan Murat succeeded to the throne, the order in Ottoman Empire
had deteriorated. The streets were unsafe; drug abuse increased. Janissaries
started doing unspeakable things such as controlling the sons of sultans,
retaining the sultans; putting the Empire into trouble rebelling every other
day. Being the Sultan in these awful conditions, Murat IV could still manage
to extinguish all these damaging doings with both the help of his mother and
his personal capabilities.

He was a poet, calligrapher,
horseback rider and incredibly strong. Although he often took extreme
precautions, he supposedly enjoyed getting into public, helping with their
problems, joining small entertainments and such. There is a story we would
like to share: A man called Mustafa who was a colourful character with his
jokes and sense of humour was living during the time of Murat IV. Mustafa,
coming from a rich family, was known amongst people for drinking wine at any
time. On one of the days when alcohol consumption was prohibited, Murat IV
was wandering around on streets in disguise to see for himself. He run into
Mustafa on the way. Mustafa, recognising the Sultan, quickly hid the wine jug
behind himself. Having noticed, Murat IV asked him to put out his hand.
Mustafa drew his empty hand upon which Murat IV said "Your other
hand". Mustafa, then, skilfully swapped the wine and drew his other
hand empty again. This time Murat IV asked him to put out both his hands to
which Mustafa jokingly answered: "Oh my Sultan, please, let’s not
waste this dear jug." He was, of course,
forgiven…

Somehow, this talismanic shirt had never been
worn…