# Hürrem Sultan'ın Torunları (book)

The Descendants of Hurrem Sultan (Turkish: Hurrem Sultan’ın Torunları), published by Doğan Kitap, is a historical non-fiction book co-authored by Ali Serim and journalist İnci Döndaş. Released in its third edition on 1 September 2013, the book delves into the contemporary lives of the descendants of Hurrem Sultan, the wife of Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. It focuses on their experiences of exile and adaptation following the abolition of the Ottoman monarchy and the caliphate in 1924.
The women of the Ottoman dynasty share their stories. In 1924, members of the Ottoman royal family were exiled from Turkey. Some journeyed to Switzerland abroad the Simplon Express, while others sailed to Beirut, and over time, they scattered across the globe, settling in countries such as France, Switzerland, Lebanon, Egypt, the United Kingdom, the United States, and even Brazil. In 1952, the women were granted permission to return to Turkey, followed by the men in 1974. While some returned to their homeland, others chose to remain in the foreign lands they had made their homes. Though many of those originally exiled have since passed, their children and grandchildren continue to live in various parts of the world.
İnci Döndaş and Ali Serim conducted interviews with 12 women from the Ottoman family, listening as they recounted their families’ experiences of exile and the ways in which their royal lineage shaped their lives. Despite the divergent paths their lives took, the imprint of exile is evident in each of their stories. Hurrem Sultan’ın Torunları is the generalized story of these 12 women. It features one of the final interviews with HIH Princess Neslişah Osmanoğlu, who passed away in 2012. At the time of her death, Neslişah was the most senior Ottoman princess.

## Hurrem Sultan (Roxelana)

Hurrem Sultan, also known in the West as Roxelana, was one of the most influential figures of the Ottoman Empire. Born as Alexandra or Anastasia Lisowska, Hurrem Sultan was of Ruthenian origin and is believed to have been captured and sold into the imperial harem. She became the favored consort and later the legal wife of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, one of the most powerful and long-reigning sultans in Ottoman history.
Hurrem Sultan's influence over Suleiman and the empire was unprecedented. She played an active role in political matters, advising the sultan and acting as a diplomatic intermediary, notably corresponding with foreign rulers. Her influence extended beyond her role as a wife and mother; she was known for her charitable works and significant contributions to the cultural and religious life of the empire, including the construction of mosques, schools, and hospitals.
As the mother of several of Sultan Suleiman's children, including the future Sultan Selim II, Hurrem Sultan wielded significant power within the court and effectively broke the traditional role of women in the harem, which often restricted their influence. Her remarkable rise from a concubine to the sultan's most trusted confidante and her lasting legacy make her one of the most remarkable women in Ottoman history.
Her legacy, immortalized in various works of art, literature, and historical studies, is central to the story of her descendants, which is explored in Hurrem Sultan’ın Torunları. The book offers a continuation of Hurrem's legacy, focusing on how her lineage navigated life after the fall of the Ottoman Empire.

## Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent

Sultan Suleiman I, also known as Suleiman the Magnificent in the West and Kanuni Sultan Süleyman (the Lawgiver) in the Ottoman Empire, was the tenth and longest-reigning sultan of the Ottoman Empire, ruling from 1520 to 1566. Born in 1494 in Trabzon, he was the only son of Sultan Selim I. Suleiman's reign marked the apex of Ottoman power, wealth, and territorial expansion, as well as a golden age in arts, culture, and architecture.
Suleiman's military campaigns extended the Ottoman Empire's reach across Eastern Europe, the Mediterranean, and North Africa. His conquest of Belgrade, Rhodes, and large parts of Hungary, as well as his naval dominance in the Mediterranean, made the empire a formidable power. His sieges, most notably the Siege of Vienna in 1529, solidified his reputation as a strong military leader.
In addition to his military prowess, Suleiman is revered for his contributions to the legal and administrative systems of the empire, earning him the title “the Lawgiver” (Kanuni). His reforms in the judicial system, taxation, and governance aimed to ensure fairness and order within his vast empire. These laws, known as the Kanun, helped codify Ottoman legal practices and brought stability to the administration.
Suleiman was also a patron of the arts and culture. His reign saw the flourishing of Ottoman architecture, literature, and the decorative arts. He commissioned many iconic structures, including the Suleymaniye Mosque in Istanbul, designed by the famed architect Mimar Sinan. His court was a center of culture, where poets, artists, and scholars thrived under his patronage.
Suleiman's personal life is often defined by his relationship with Hurrem Sultan, also known as Roxelana, who became his favorite consort and later his legal wife. Their partnership was unusual in Ottoman history, as Hurrem wielded significant political influence and became a key figure at the court. Together, they had several children, including Selim II, who would later succeed Suleiman.
Suleiman's reign left a lasting impact on both the Ottoman Empire and the world. He is remembered not only for his military conquests and legal reforms but also for his cultural contributions, which shaped the identity of the empire for centuries. His legacy continues to be a source of inspiration and admiration in both Ottoman and world history.

## Content

The book traces the everyday experiences of Hurrem Sultan's descendants in the modern world, offering personal anecdotes and narratives that explore how they coped with the loss of royal privileges after 1924. Through a series of intimate stories, it reveals how these families managed the challenges of exile, displacement, and rebuilding their lives in foreign lands. Ali Serim and İnci Döndaş's collaboration blends historical insights with personal storytelling, presenting a unique look at the legacy of the Ottoman dynasty through its present-day heirs.

## Themes

Key themes of the book include exile, identity, and adaptation. Serim and Döndaş highlight the emotional and cultural challenges faced by these descendants as they were forced to redefine their lives after the dissolution of the empire. The book also explores the continued connections these families maintain with their imperial past, despite living in vastly different circumstances.

## Author Perspectives

Ali Serim, through his family's longstanding presence of five centuries in Istanbul, developed personal connections with many of Hurrem Sultan's descendants. These connections allowed him to provide personal insights into their lives. İnci Döndaş, an experienced journalist, brought a level of rigor and narrative clarity to the work, making it both informative and engaging for readers.

## Significance

This book is significant in its exploration of the personal impact of the fall of the Ottoman Empire on the descendants of one of its most famous figures, Hurrem Sultan. By focusing on their modern lives and challenges, Hurrem Sultan’ın Torunları adds an important human dimension to the history of the Ottoman Empire's collapse.