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Sheds light on Ottoman palace life in an era that witnessed some of the most wrenching changes in Ottoman history Exploring one small building in Istanbul, the Sultan Abdülhamid I Tomb, this book reveals the culture of death and life in the Ottoman palace from 1780 to 1860. It investigates the paths that open to us through the graves of royalty in the mausoleum and of eunuchs, concubines, courtiers and female harem staff in the garden graveyard around it. Enriched by archival documents, Ottoman chronicles and gravestone inscriptions, the insights into Ottoman palace life 'buried' at this site range from architecture, poetry, calligraphy and smallpox to funeral customs, turbans and harem life. In considering why this tomb and its garden graveyard look the way they do, we come to understand the role royal cemeteries played in strengthening the bonds between the Imperial Family and the people of the Ottoman Empire. Douglas Scott Brookes teaches Ottoman Turkish language at the University of California, Berkeley, where he has also taught courses in Ottoman history and culture. His other books include On the Sultan's Service (2019) and Harem Ghosts (2016).
About the author
Douglas Scott Brookes teaches Ottoman Turkish language in the Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures Department at the University of California, Berkeley. He has also taught courses at Berkeley in Ottoman history and culture. His research interests include the culture of the Ottoman Imperial Family in general and the harem system in particular. He has led numerous educational tours through Turkey, including for the Berkeley Alumni Association. He is the author of
On the Sultan's Service (Indiana University, 2019),
Harem Ghosts (Markus Wiener, 2016),
The Concubine, the Princess, and the Teacher (University of Texas, 2008), and
The Ottoman Gentleman of the Sixteenth Century (Harvard NELC, 2003).
Summary
Delves into a royal tomb in order to expand our understanding of Ottoman palace culture
