Nilüfer Hatun

Nilüfer Hatun (Ottoman Turkish: نیلوفر خاتون, birth name Holifere (Holophira) / Olivera, other names Bayalun, Beylun, Beyalun, Bilun, Suyun, Suylun) was a Valide Hatun; the first wife of Orhan Ghazi, the second Ottoman Sultan. She was the mother of the next sultan, Murad I.
 
==Personality==
Holofira was a brave girl who knew how to fight and defend herself. She always approached others with love but never allowed herself to be taken advantage of. Despite being a Christian, Holofira respected Muslims and understood the importance of sacrifice. She empathized with Orhan's predicament and knew that despite his love for her, he was forced to agree to form any alliance through marriage with Elcim Hatun, for the sake of the state.
== In In Kuruluş Osman ==
===Season 3===
In Kurulus Osman, Holofira was shown as a young girl around 10-11 years old, who was trying to escape from a group of Byzantine soldiers of Yarhisar, who were after her. Osman Bey's sons, Alaeddin Ali and Orhan, who were training with their father's soldiers, stray away from the group and accidentally come across Holofira, who was pleading for help. They try saving her but are soon outnumbered. Fortunately, their companions came to their rescue and sent the Byzantines fleeing away. They take her to their tribe and inquire about the reason for her trying to escape from the Byzantines. She reveals herself to be a Byzantine princess called Holofira, the step- daughter of the Yarhisar Tekfur Basileus. She confides to Osman, that her father and the Bilecik Tekfur Justinianus, want to come together in union by having Justinianus marry Holofira, Basileus' stepdaughter. But as a child, Holofira was against this marriage. Nevertheless, Osman sent her back to his stepfather deliberately who was later ambushed by the Kayi Alps on his way to Bilecik, and so they saved Holofira. This was followed by the conquests of Bilecik, Yarhisar ,and Inegol. It was at this time that Holofira and Orhan fell in love with each other, but even when they were captured together by Arius' men, they escaped and were eventually saved. She is sent to her aunt for protection and caretaking, as they are left longing for each other. 
=== Season 4 ===
Although she doesn't appear here, her name is mentioned in last episode by her maid to Orhan in a caravansary. 
=== Season 5 ===
Orhan is given a duty by Osman Bey to befriend Sanjaksizlar, who proposes that he has to show his talent by raiding the carriage led by soldiers of Atranos. It was at this point that, when Orhan prevented the dagger from stabbing him, he recognized the princess who was trying to save her life as Holofira. To this, Orhan almost deviates from his responsibility by telling Sanjaklar to back off, but since they were persistent in taking gold, he promised her freedom. Orhan then fulfills his promise, gives the sancaksizlar gold, and forcibly takes Holofira to Yenisehir. Malhun immediately recognizes Holofira, but Holofira gets angry at Orhan because Orhan looted her caravan and made her a captive. Malhun politely reminds her not to forget who she is standing in front of her and that Orhan is a prince.
Orhan and Holofira eventually reconcile, and some time later, Orhan presents her with a necklace containing a flower made of Nilufer. Orhan also expresses his love by giving her a flower as a token of his affection for her. She also assists Malhun and Osman when Orhan and Mehmet Bey are captured and taken to Kestel, for which Osman and Malhun express their gratitude. Malhun Hatun likes Holofira, but she desires a Muslim and Turkish wife for her son Orhan because she wants not just Orhan's wife, but a queen of the Ottoman Empire who will bear the weight of the state's responsibilities. And because Holofira is of the Christian faith, she is not familiar with the traditions of Muslims. Osman Bey also supports Malhun in this matter. Malhun considers a marriage proposal of a Turkish girl named Aysima Hatun for Orhan, but Orhan persistently insists on Holofira because he loves only her. This leads to bitter arguments between Malhun and Orhan. Holofira also makes a lot of effort to convince Orhan, but Orhan is not willing to step back.Malhun tries to explain to Holofira with love, that she does not hate her, Malhun, with a heavy heart, makes Holofira aware of the sacrifices Malhun and Bala have made for the state that Malhun came only to give Osman Bey the heir, but Bala, despite facing taunts for being childless, wholeheartedly accepted Malhun. If tomorrow Holofira cannot give birth to a son for Orhan, will she be willing to make such a sacrifice?. 
Saadet Hatun and Yaqup Bey intentionally seek a proposal for Holofira from her aunt for their son Mehmet, solely to oppose Osman and Malhun. Orhan becomes extremely angry at this and forcibly makes Holofira flee from Uc Bazar with him. This realization makes Malhun understand that Orhan loves Holofira excessively and cannot live without her , she agrees for Orhan and Holofira's union but sets a condition that Holofira must convert to Islam. Upon hearing this, Orhan is overjoyed and attempts to persuade Holofira to convert to Islam, but she remains unwilling to embrace Islam. Aysima Hatun attacks Holofira out of jealousy because everyone knows that Orhan loves Holofira passionately. She pulls the necklace given by Orhan from Holofira's neck, causing it to scratch her throat. Malhun ends the relationship with Aysima immediately and urges her to apologize to Holofira. Orhan tries to persuade Holofira to embrace Islam and takes her with him to Kestel so that Holofira cannot be separated from him. Holofira, decides to run away from Orhan because she understands Malhun's point that Orhan and Holofira cannot be together.Orhan manages to catch Holofira and takes her with him. Holofira only stands by Orhan with all her heart, and tells Orhan that her aunt has called Roman Jalad Imren Tegin." 
Holofira seeks refuge in Yenişehir along with her aunt Olivia, stating that their lives are in danger from İmren Tegin. However, Holofira didn't know that this was Olivia and İmren Tegin's scheme because they knew that Orhan and Holofira were madly in love with each other, and exploiting their love, they would manipulate Orhan against Osman. İmren Tegin sends a poison through one of his spies to Olivia, instructing her to give it to Elçim so that Elçim dies, preventing any possible alliance between the Kayi. Malhun Hatun becomes suspicious of Holofira's aunt, questioning why she has come here. However, innocent Holofira defends her aunt, saying that they have only come here seeking refuge and will return to Atranos once İmren Tegin leaves. Elçim is also present with Malhun at this time. Elçim meets Holofira in the courtyard and tells her that she didn't believe her about anything. Holofira responds by saying that she had no intention of making Elçim believe her (as she does not care about her). Then Holofira tells her that there is no need for Elçim to be jealous of her because she has only come here seeking refuge, not for Orhan (as Holofira decides to sacrifice her love for Orhan's cause). Elçim then goes to Orhan Bey and tells him that Holofira and her aunt must leave from here. Orhan Bey tells her that Holofira will never be involved in any games, and he has blind trust in her. Elçim is not pleased to hear this and says that if Holofira does anything, Orhan will be responsible. Olivia and her spy put poison in the water in Elçim's room. Accidentally, Elçim's sister-in-law, Ayça Hatun, drinks it and starts to die. Elçim, in anger, accuses Holofira, but Holofira denies being guilty of anything. When Olivia tries to stop Elçim, Elçim pushes her away and attempts to attack with a dagger, which Holofira stops. In the struggle, Holofira gets hurt in the chest by Elçim's arm and faints. During this time, Orhan, Malhun, and Bala arrive and are surprised to see Elçim holding a dagger and Holofira unconscious. Orhan becomes extremely distressed seeing his beloved Holofira in such a state and tries to wake her up, Elçim, in anger, says, "InshaAllah, she will never open her eyes again." To which Orhan, also in anger, responds, "Stop your nonsense, lady." Fortunately, Elcim's dagger lands on Holofira's necklace, which Orhan had given her. Holofira regains consciousness, and Orhan tells her that he is by her side. Elcim, hidden behind the door, listens to all this and is not pleased. 
Malhun Hatun puts Holofira and her aunt in the dungeon because she suspects olivia of being involved in this . In the dungeon, Malhun tells Holofira that she trusts her but not Olivia. Holofira then requests Malhun to kindly summon Yunus Emre as a favor. Yunus Emre comes and gives Holofira a lesson on Islam, expressing gratitude for being summoned. He explains to her the significance of being called to a place of learning, referring to it as the "madrasa of Prophet Yusuf(AS)." When Holofira doesn't understand, they elaborate by recounting how Prophet Yusuf (AS) taught many people about religion while he was in prison. 
Orhan tells Holofira that he has blind faith in her. However, in court, Holofira confesses to poisoning Elcim, and she is punished by being made to drink the poison herself. However, in this scenario, it appears to be a scheme orchestrated by Osman, Malhun, or Orhan to frame Olivia. 
== Biography ==
===Historical Background===
The traditional stories about her origin, traced back to the 15th century, are that she was daughter of the Byzantine ruler (Tekfur) of Bilecik, called Holofira. As some stories go, Orhan's father Osman raided Bilecik at the time of Holofira's wedding arriving there with rich presents and disguised and hidden soldiers. Holofira was among the loot and given to Orhan.
However modern researchers doubt this story, admitting that it may have been based on real events. Doubts are based on a lack of direct evidence from the time. In addition there is secondary evidence of an alternate origin, in particular her Ottoman name Nilüfer meaning water lily in the Persian language.
Other historians make her a daughter of the Prince of Yarhisar or a Byzantine Princess Helen (Nilüfer), who was of ethnic Greek descent.
According to a source, in the spring of 1299, the Bilecik magistrate who was to marry the daughter of Yarhisar invited Osman Ghazi and his men to his wedding festivity. In the spring the Söğüt people migrated to Domaniς plateau until autumn. Osman Ghazi asked to leave all his belongings at the Bilecik castle before coming to the wedding. It was the usual practice in those years to entrust the heavy goods of encampment to neighbouring castles. The magistrate accepted gladly. The wedding would be in Chakirpinar, two hours away from Bilecik. On the way to the wedding, the magistrate of Yarhisar was encircled by Osman's soldiers. They turned back toward Yarhisar. When the people saw their magistrate, they opened the gates and Osman's soldiers got in. The conquest of the castle did not take long. At the Bilecik castle, one of the bales left by Osman Ghazi was opened. A soldier got out of it and informed others. Armed soldiers stepping out of the bales captured everyone in the castle. Bilecik had fallen to the Ottomans. While the guests were waiting for the bride, the horsemen of the Ottomans appeared. There was a big ceremony in Karacahisar. Orhan Ghazi would marry Holofira, the daughter of the Yarhisar magistrate. The young bride converted to Islam and became Nilüfer Hatun.
=== Death ===
She died at the age of 100, during her son Murad I's rule. Nilüfer Hatun Imareti ("Nilüfer Hatun Soup Kitchen"), a convent annex hospice for dervishes, now housing the Iznik Museum in İznik, Bursa Province, was built by Sultan Murad in 1388 to honor his mother after her death.
== Gallery==
File:Holofira.jpg
File:Ece-Holofira.jpg
File:Holofira in episode 93.jpg
File:Orhan-Holofira.jpg|Orhan and Holofira
File:Holofira with Malhun.jpg|Holofira with her mother in law Malhun and husband Orhan
Category:Mothers of the Ottoman Sultans
Category:Hatuns
Category:The Ottoman Royal Family
Category:Ottoman Consorts / Queens
Category:Queen Mothers
Category:Historical Turkic People