This book explores the life of el-Hajj Beshir Agha (ca. 1657-1746), the most powerful Chief Harem Eunuch in the history of the Ottoman Empire. In this capacity, he helped to shape and propagate the official Ottoman brand of Sunni Islam. El-Hajj Beshir was one of hundreds of East African eunuchs who served as guards and interlocutors for the imperial mothers, sisters, wives, and concubines who inhabited Topkapy Palace's enormous harem. Enslaved in his native Ethiopia as a boy, then castrated in Egypt, Beshir may initially ...
Read More
This book explores the life of el-Hajj Beshir Agha (ca. 1657-1746), the most powerful Chief Harem Eunuch in the history of the Ottoman Empire. In this capacity, he helped to shape and propagate the official Ottoman brand of Sunni Islam. El-Hajj Beshir was one of hundreds of East African eunuchs who served as guards and interlocutors for the imperial mothers, sisters, wives, and concubines who inhabited Topkapy Palace's enormous harem. Enslaved in his native Ethiopia as a boy, then castrated in Egypt, Beshir may initially have been purchased by one of Egypt's grandees before being introduced into the palace. Once installed in the palace, he quickly rose through the ranks of harem eunuchs to become harem treasurer by 1707. Following a brief period of exile in 1713-1714, he served as chief of the eunuchs who guarded the Prophet Muhammad's tomb in Medina--a peculiar institution inaugurated in the twelfth century and abolished only in the twentieth. Recalled to Topkapy Palace in 1717, el-Hajj Beshir spent the next thirty years overseeing the educations of crown princes and harem women while choosing and deposing a long series of grand viziers; in the process, he survived a major rebellion that resulted in the execution of a grand vizier and the deposition of a sultan. In his capacity as superintendent of the imperial pious foundations for the Holy Cities of Mecca and Medina, he amassed an empire-wide network of clients. Meanwhile, the mosques, theological schools, sufi lodges, and libraries that he founded throughout the empire helped to shape the religious and intellectual profile of the Ottoman state.
Read Less
Add this copy of Beshir Agha: Chief Eunuch of the Ottoman Imperial Harem to cart. $28.59, good condition, Sold by Anybook rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Lincoln, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2005 by Oneworld Academic.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
This is an ex-library book and may have the usual library/used-book markings inside. This book has hardback covers. In good all round condition. No dust jacket. Please note the Image in this listing is a stock photo and may not match the covers of the actual item, 400grams, ISBN: 9781851683901.
Add this copy of Beshir Agha Chief Eunuch of the Ottoman Imperial Harem to cart. $33.73, new condition, Sold by Books2anywhere rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Fairford, GLOUCESTERSHIRE, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2006 by Oneworld Publications.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
PLEASE NOTE, WE DO NOT SHIP TO DENMARK. New Book. Shipped from UK in 4 to 14 days. Established seller since 2000. Please note we cannot offer an expedited shipping service from the UK.
Add this copy of Beshir Agha Chief Eunuch of the Ottoman Imperial Harem to cart. $35.82, new condition, Sold by Paperbackshop International rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Fairford, GLOS, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2006 by Oneworld Publications.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
PLEASE NOTE, WE DO NOT SHIP TO DENMARK. New Book. Shipped from UK in 4 to 14 days. Established seller since 2000. Please note we cannot offer an expedited shipping service from the UK.
Add this copy of Beshir Agha to cart. $41.06, new condition, Sold by Kennys.ie rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Galway, IRELAND, published 2006 by Oneworld Academic.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
New. Explores the life of the most powerful Chief Harem Eunich in the History of the Ottoman empire. Series: Makers of the Muslim World. Num Pages: 160 pages, Illustrations, maps. BIC Classification: HRH. Category: (G) General (US: Trade). Dimension: 222 x 140 x 16. Weight in Grams: 334. 2006. Hardcover.....We ship daily from our Bookshop.
Add this copy of Beshir Agha: Chief Eunuch of the Ottoman Imperial Harem to cart. $40.56, new condition, Sold by Booksplease rated 3.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Southport, MERSEYSIDE, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2006 by Oneworld Academic.
Add this copy of Beshir Agha to cart. $43.29, new condition, Sold by Paperbackshop rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Bensenville, IL, UNITED STATES, published 2006 by Oneworld Publications.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
New Region 2 DVD. Shipped from UK in 4 to 14 days. Established seller since 2000. Please note we cannot offer an expedited shipping service from the UK.
Add this copy of Beshir Agha: Chief Eunuch of the Ottoman Imperial Harem to cart. $60.55, good condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Newport Coast, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2006 by Oneworld Academic.
Add this copy of Beshir Agha: Chief Eunuch of the Ottoman Imperial Harem to cart. $93.65, new condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Newport Coast, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2006 by Oneworld Academic.
