The royal of harem eunuchs in the Ottoman palace: Uzun Süleyman Agha's tenure as Chief Black Eunuch (1651-1652)

This study focuses on Uzun Süleyman Agha, who served as the Chief Black Eunuch of the Ottoman Empire between 1651 and 1652, and examines his role in the palace's internal and external political affairs. Following the accession of Sultan Mehmed IV (1648–1687) to the throne at the age of six, Uzun Süleyman Agha emerged as a prominent figure within the faction supporting Valide Sultan Turhan during the ensuing power struggle between rival valide sultans. Identified among those responsible for the execution of Valide-i Kebîr Kösem Sultan, Uzun Süleyman Agha attracted attention through his interventions in state appointments and the influence he sought to exert over the valide sultan and grand viziers. Even after his dismissal and exile to Egypt, he maintained his political involvement, indicating that the authority of the Dârüssaâde Agha extended beyond his tenure and functioned as a continuing political identity. This thesis aims to provide a more comprehensive analysis of the early years of Mehmed IV's reign by comparing classical and modern historiographical sources with archival documents, and to investigate Uzun Süleyman Agha's influence on the political dynamics of the Ottoman imperial harem both during and after his time in office.