Cevri Kalfa

**Cevri Kalfa** (; name derived from *cevr*, meaning "sorrow" or "affliction"; born , died *post* 1826) also known as **Çerkez Kalfa,** was a *kalfa* (senior female attendant) in the Imperial Harem of the Ottoman Empire. She is primarily known for her reported role in the events surrounding the palace coup of 1808, during which she allegedly assisted in saving the life of the future Sultan Mahmud II.

Although detailed archival documentation about her life remains limited, later Ottoman historical narratives and court traditions credit her with a decisive intervention that enabled Mahmud II to survive a succession crisis.

## Title and Status 
Cevri Kalfa held two significant ranks within the Ottoman Imperial Harem during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. She initially served as a '*Kalfa*', a senior female attendant responsible for supervising junior staff and assisting higher-ranking officials, likely in the 1790s to early 1800s. This position reflected her competence, trustworthiness, and familiarity with palace administration, marking her as an experienced and respected member of the harem. By the early 1800s, she was promoted to '*Haznedar Usta*', the Master Treasurer, one of the highest-ranking female positions in the harem hierarchy. As Haznedar Usta, she oversaw the harem treasury, including jewelry, gifts, and clothing, and had authority over other Kalfas and attendants. This role not only granted her substantial administrative responsibilities but also significant political influence, placing her directly below the *Valide Sultan* in authority. Her position allowed her to play a crucial role in palace affairs, most notably in the protection of Sultan Mahmud II, demonstrating the combination of loyalty, skill, and courage required to hold such a rank. Cevri Kalfa’s career illustrates how women in the Ottoman palace could rise through the hierarchical structure to positions of both power and prestige.

## Background and Position in the Harem 
### Early life 
The exact birth date and birthplace of Cevri Kalfa are not documented in surviving Ottoman sources. Like many women who served in the Imperial Harem, details of her origins were not recorded in official chronicles. Historians infer that she was born in the late eighteenth century based on her established position as a senior palace attendant (kalfa) during the 1808 palace crisis that led to the accession of Sultan Mahmud II.

Because the rank of *kalfa* required years of service and experience within the harem hierarchy, she would likely have been an adult of considerable standing by 1808. For this reason, some modern writers estimate her birth to have occurred around the 1760s or 1770s; however, no contemporary archival document provides a confirmed year of birth.

Academic journals reinforce this understanding. In *Journal of Ottoman Studies*, Nicolaou-Konnari explains that palace finance management directly affected the empire’s ability to conduct diplomacy and maintain military readiness in Mediterranean territories.  Likewise, Donald Quataert emphasizes that palace officials’ oversight of resources could impact fleet readiness, provincial governance, and treaty negotiations with European powers. Through her role as Haznedar Usta, Cevri Kalfa exemplifies the *indirect yet tangible influence of palace officials on Ottoman foreign policy*. By controlling the distribution of financial resources, she contributed to sustaining Ottoman naval and administrative presence in Greece and the Mediterranean, demonstrating how court actors could shape regional and international affairs without formal diplomatic roles.

During the eighteenth century, Ottoman diplomacy with European powers such as Austria, Russia, France, and Venice relied heavily on ceremonial protocol and the controlled distribution of imperial gifts . These ceremonial exchanges were financed through palace-controlled funds, and high-ranking harem officials oversaw parts of this financial structure . In this administrative capacity, Cevri Kalfa indirectly contributed to the mechanisms that sustained Ottoman diplomatic engagement.

Scholars have emphasized that the imperial harem functioned as part of the broader governing apparatus rather than as a purely domestic institution . Leslie Peirce argues that female palace officials exercised administrative authority that could affect political access and influence decision-making processes . Karen Barkey similarly notes that palace networks formed an integral part of Ottoman governance structures, shaping political and diplomatic outcomes through institutional channels .

Ottoman–European relations in the Mediterranean and Balkan regions required sustained financial and logistical coordination . Military readiness, naval provisioning, and provincial stability were dependent on centralized fiscal oversight . As Haznedar Usta, Cevri Kalfa’s role in overseeing palace expenditures connected her indirectly to these broader diplomatic and strategic operations. Modern historians caution against overstating the personal diplomatic agency of harem officials; nonetheless, they recognize that palace administrators were embedded within the imperial system that structured relations with European powers . The management of ceremonial diplomacy, provincial funding, and court access formed part of the empire’s foreign policy apparatus . In this context, Cevri Kalfa’s relationship with European countries was institutional rather than personal, reflecting the interconnected nature of palace administration and Ottoman foreign affairs .

## Later Life and Recognition 
There is little surviving documentation concerning Cevri Kalfa’s later life. Ottoman narrative tradition suggests that she was rewarded and honored within the palace following Mahmud II’s accession. However, no firm archival evidence provides details about her death date or burial location. As with many non-dynastic women of the Imperial Harem, the historical record remains fragmentary, and much of her biography is reconstructed from later historiography rather than contemporary palace registers.

### Contribution 
Cevri Kalfa’s reported intervention during the turbulent events of 1807–1808 had significant dynastic and political consequences. Her alleged protection of Şehzade Mahmud (later Sultan Mahmud II) ensured his survival at a moment of palace violence and succession crisis following the deposition and death of Sultan Mustafa IV. This survival was critical for the continuity of the Ottoman dynasty and enabled Mahmud II to ascend to the throne, ultimately presiding over a reign spanning over three decades (1808–1839) that witnessed substantial administrative, military, and social reforms. During his reign, Mahmud II undertook sweeping reforms that fundamentally reshaped the Ottoman state. One of the most notable actions was the destruction of the Janissary Corps in 1826, known as the Auspicious Incident, which eliminated a powerful and often obstructive military faction and allowed the sultan to centralize authority more effectively. 

Historians emphasize that these reforms, including the creation of modernized military and bureaucratic structures, were contingent upon a stable succession; without the survival of Mahmud II, the trajectory of Ottoman modernization might have been fundamentally altered. The political influence of palace women, even those without formal dynastic titles, is well documented in Ottoman historiography. Women in the harem, through their positions in the hierarchical network of attendants, could act as intermediaries, protect heirs, and influence palace factions during moments of crisis. Cevri Kalfa’s story illustrates this dynamic: her intervention, whether fully historical or partially mythologized, reflects the institutional capacity of palace women to affect succession outcomes and safeguard dynastic continuity. 

Scholars further argue that the narrative surrounding Cevri Kalfa may have been shaped by later historiographical and literary traditions. Chroniclers often emphasized loyalty, courage, and providential survival as motifs to legitimize the rule of Mahmud II and to dramatize the dangers he faced during the palace upheavals of 1807–1808. These narrative embellishments are consistent with broader patterns in Ottoman historical writing, where acts of dynastic protection by women were highlighted to underscore the moral and political legitimacy of the reigning sultan. 

Cevri Kalfa’s story also provides insight into the complex interactions between individual agency and institutional power in the Ottoman imperial court. While palace women often operated within highly circumscribed roles, their influence could be significant during periods of dynastic instability. Her intervention exemplifies how non-royal figures within the harem could shape the course of political events, highlighting the intertwining of gender, hierarchy, and governance. Finally, the enduring impact of Cevri Kalfa’s actions is evident in the historical trajectory of the empire. By contributing, directly or indirectly, to the survival of Mahmud II, she played a role in enabling the centralization of authority, the modernization of Ottoman institutions, and the consolidation of dynastic power. Her story demonstrates the broader political and social significance of the harem as a space where loyalty, strategy, and influence intersected with the formal structures of imperial rule.

### Historiography 
Modern historians approach the narrative surrounding Cevri Kalfa with caution. Although she occupies a visible place in later Ottoman historical tradition, contemporary archival documentation from the early nineteenth century remains limited. As a result, scholars emphasize the need to distinguish between verifiable historical evidence and later narrative constructions that developed within courtly and literary traditions.

The events of 1807–1808, including the deposition of Selim III and the accession of Mahmud II, are relatively well documented in Ottoman administrative records; however, detailed descriptions of individual actors within the imperial harem are far less common. This imbalance in documentation has led historians to rely partly on narrative chronicles and later accounts when reconstructing palace events. The episode most frequently associated with Cevri Kalfa — her alleged protection of Şehzade Mahmud during Mustafa IV’s attempt to eliminate dynastic rivals — appears primarily in retrospective chronicles and later Ottoman historiography. Scholars note that such narratives often emphasize loyalty and providential survival, themes that reinforced dynastic legitimacy. In this context, Cevri Kalfa’s role may have been framed symbolically to dramatize Mahmud II’s narrow escape and subsequent right to rule. Historians of the imperial harem have further demonstrated that women within the palace hierarchy held structured and institutional roles, though their actions are unevenly recorded in surviving documentation. The limited archival traces concerning Cevri Kalfa are therefore not unusual, but they complicate efforts to verify specific narrative details. Some scholars suggest that elements of the story may reflect later embellishment or literary shaping. Such embellishment was not uncommon in Ottoman historical writing, particularly when recounting episodes of political crisis. Rather than dismissing the account outright, modern historiography generally situates it within the broader framework of dynastic memory, palace politics, and narrative tradition.

Overall, contemporary scholarship treats Cevri Kalfa as a figure located at the intersection of documented historical upheaval and evolving imperial memory—plausible within the palace structure, yet partially shaped by later historiographical interpretation.

### Legacy 
Cevri Kalfa is remembered in Ottoman historical memory as one of the most loyal and capable attendants of the imperial harem. Although she was not a member of the royal family, her position as a *senior kalfa* placed her in a pivotal role within the palace hierarchy, giving her influence over the daily operations of the harem and the welfare of its residents. Her life exemplifies the often-overlooked yet highly consequential roles that women outside the dynasty played in shaping the course of Ottoman history.

Historical accounts suggest that Cevri Kalfa was deeply involved in maintaining the stability and security of the palace during Sultan Mahmud II’s reign. By managing internal affairs and serving as a trusted confidante within the harem, she contributed to the preservation of the Ottoman ruling line at a time when palace intrigues and succession disputes were frequent. Her dedication became symbolic of the loyalty required of senior harem officials, whose influence, though rarely documented in state chronicles, was crucial to the internal cohesion of the imperial household.

Cevri Kalfa’s legacy extends into Ottoman cultural memory. Over time, she has been depicted in historical literature and dramatizations of palace life, where her figure embodies intelligence, bravery, and discreet authority. Such representations highlight her enduring role as a cultural symbol of female agency within an institution often defined by secrecy and hierarchy.

Her story also illustrates the complex social dynamics of the Ottoman harem. While the imperial family dominates most historical accounts, figures like Cevri Kalfa demonstrate that power and influence were distributed among a network of women who could shape events behind the scenes. In this sense, she represents the hidden mechanisms through which women contributed to the continuity and stability of one of history’s most enduring empires.

## Death and burial 
Cevri Kalfa died before 1819–1820, as indicated by the dedication inscription on the Cevri Kalfa Primary School built in her honor. She was buried in the tomb complex of Nakşidil Sultan in the Fatih district of Istanbul, near the tomb of Fatih Sultan Mehmed, reflecting her honored status for saving the life of the future Sultan Mahmud II.

Some sources suggest that Cevri Kalfa died after 1826, as she is recorded to have participated in events during the Auspicious Incident, when Sultan Mahmud II disbanded the Janissaries.

However, the precise date and circumstances of Cevri Kalfa’s death are not recorded in surviving Ottoman archival registers. Unlike members of the ruling dynasty or high-ranking consorts, palace attendants such as kalfas were not consistently documented in official chronicles unless they held exceptional political authority.

Later Ottoman historiography suggests that she lived for some time after the accession of Mahmud II in 1808 and may have been retained within the palace establishment as a respected senior attendant. However, no definitive evidence confirms the year of her death, the location of her burial, or whether she received a formal imperial pension.

The absence of detailed records reflects the broader historiographical limitation concerning non-dynastic women of the Imperial Harem, whose lives were often preserved only in narrative tradition rather than administrative documentation.

While Cevri Kalfa appears to have survived the accession of Mahmud II in 1808, the precise date of her death is unrecorded in surviving Ottoman sources, reflecting the limited documentation concerning non-dynastic women of the Imperial Harem.

Cevri Kalfa spent most of her life serving in the Imperial Harem of Sultan Mahmud II in Istanbul. While the exact details of her death are not well documented, it is generally believed that she died in Istanbul.

## Aftermath 
Though she was not a member of the royal family, her legacy endured through these charitable constructions, which served as both educational institutions and public utilities, such as providing water through the fountain.

Later Ottoman historiography and modern scholarship continued to recognize Cevri Kalfa for her loyalty and decisive role during the 1808 palace coup. She became a symbol of the influence non-dynastic women could wield within the harem, and her commemoration through architecture ensured her name remained part of Ottoman cultural memory.

The primary school and fountain not only served practical purposes but also preserved her memory for future generations, linking education and public service to her life and deeds.

Cevri Kalfa was remembered not only for her work in the palace but also for her acts that helped the public. She managed important jobs in the harem, helped young palace women learn their duties, and influenced decisions that affected the palace. She built schools and fountains that gave education and clean water to people in the city. Historians say that her loyalty during the 1808 palace coup made her very important, and even after her death, people remembered her through the buildings she created and the stories told about her life. Her life shows that women who were not part of the royal family could still have power and make a lasting difference in Ottoman society.

## Sponsorings 
, built in 1819. The historic Empire-style building now houses the Turkish Literature Foundation on *Divan Yolu Street*.]]

Following her role in securing Mahmud II’s survival in 1808, Cevrî Kalfa’s name became associated with public charity through imperial architectural projects. Around 1819–1820 (1235 AH), Sultan Mahmud II ordered the construction of the *Cevrî Kalfa Sıbyan Mektebi*, a primary school on Divanyolu in Istanbul, built for her soul as a mark of gratitude for her loyal service.

The school included a *fountain and sebil beneath its façade*, known as the *Cevrî Usta Fountain*, which supplied water for public use and served both practical and charitable purposes. These foundations illustrate the Ottoman practice of endowing educational and public service institutions in honor of distinguished palace attendants.

While there is no direct evidence that Cevrî Kalfa personally managed these endowments, her close association with the imperial household positioned her within the customary networks of philanthropic activity for senior harem figures.

### Cevri Kalfa Stairs 
A plain stone staircase at the *Altınyol* or *Golden Way* of the Ottoman Imperial Harem is called the Staircase of Cevri Kalfa, since the events happened around there and are associated with her.

The Cevri Kalfa Stairs () is a historic staircase located within the Imperial Harem of Topkapı Palace in Istanbul. The staircase is traditionally associated with Cevri Kalfa, a senior palace official who played a role in the 1808 Ottoman palace crisis that brought Mahmud II to the throne.

According to later palace tradition, the staircase within the Harem associated with this event came to be known as the *Cevri Kalfa Merdiveni*. According to Ottoman historical accounts, Cevri Kalfa delayed the executioners by physically obstructing their access and alerting palace allies. This intervention reportedly enabled Mahmud to escape through the inner corridors of the harem, including the staircase later known as the *Cevri Kalfa Merdiveni*. Mahmud survived the attempt and was proclaimed Sultan Mahmud II shortly thereafter, following the overthrow of Mustafa IV by forces loyal to the reformist grand vizier Alemdar Mustafa Pasha. In recognition of her loyalty, Mahmud II promoted Cevri Kalfa to the position of *Hazinedar Usta* (Chief Treasurer of the Imperial Harem), one of the most senior administrative roles within the palace hierarchy.

Although contemporary architectural documentation specifically naming the staircase is limited, palace tradition and later historical narratives preserve the association between the site and Cevri Kalfa’s actions. The staircase remains part of the Harem section of Topkapı Palace, now operated as a museum under the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

## Wealth 
Cevri Kalfa was a senior official *kalfa* in the Ottoman imperial harem, holding a position that provided both social influence and material wealth. High-ranking kalfas were often granted stipends, valuable gifts, and in some cases land or property by members of the royal family. As a trusted figure in the harem, Cevri Kalfa had access to luxury goods, including jewelry, fine clothing, and household items, which were often provided as tokens of favor by the sultan or the sultan’s family. While she did not hold formal political office, her position allowed her to indirectly influence the distribution of palace resources and manage certain administrative tasks, further increasing her economic standing.

The wealth of high-ranking harem officials in the Ottoman Empire was not only material but also relational; their access to the sultan and other powerful figures allowed them to secure financial advantages and maintain a prominent lifestyle within Istanbul society. Despite the lack of precise records of Cevri Kalfa’s personal fortune, her role in the palace suggests she lived a life of significant comfort and privilege relative to the general population of the period.

As a senior *kalfa* of the Ottoman imperial harem, Cevri Kalfa occupied a high-ranking administrative position within the palace hierarchy. Senior kalfas formed part of the supervisory structure of the harem and were entrusted with managerial and financial responsibilities. Their rank entitled them to regular stipends (*ulufe*), clothing allowances, and distributions of luxury goods during religious festivals and dynastic ceremonies. Such payments were drawn from the imperial treasury and reflected both their seniority and proximity to the ruling household.

In addition to monetary compensation, elite harem officials received valuable textiles, jewelry, and household furnishings from the palace stores. Luxury fabrics such as silk and velvet, along with gold and silver ornaments, were commonly recorded in palace distribution registers. These items functioned not only as symbols of status but also as portable wealth, which could be retained, gifted, or sold if necessary. Ottoman law permitted women, including enslaved women of the palace, to own and manage personal property. Senior harem officials could accumulate savings over decades of service and were legally entitled to inherit, purchase real estate, and establish charitable endowments (*waqfs*). The establishment of a waqf allowed elite women to convert private wealth into religious and social prestige, often funding fountains, schools, or other public works in Istanbul.

The wealth of high-ranking palace women was also relational. Access to the sultan and the Valide Sultan provided opportunities to cultivate patronage networks and influence the distribution of favors and resources. Through these connections, senior kalfas could secure economic advantages, arrange advantageous marriages for dependents, and strengthen their social position within the capital. Although no detailed inventory of Cevri Kalfa’s personal estate has survived in published sources, comparable officials of similar rank are documented as possessing furnished residences, servants, and accumulated personal wealth. Her position within the imperial household therefore indicates a level of material comfort and financial security significantly above that of most women in contemporary Ottoman society.

Cevri Kalfa’s position as a *Hazinedar Usta*—the chief treasurer of the imperial harem—gave her direct control over the distribution and management of palace funds and goods. The Hazinedar Usta supervised the harem treasury, overseeing payments to other officials, stipends for lower-ranking attendants, and the distribution of textiles, jewelry, and other valuable items. This administrative role not only provided a salary and material rewards but also allowed her to accumulate personal wealth indirectly through her privileged access to palace resources.

In addition to her official salary, a Hazinedar Usta often received gifts from the sultan or members of the royal family in recognition of loyalty or service. These gifts could include fine clothing, jewelry, household items, and occasionally land or property, making the office one of the most materially advantageous within the harem hierarchy.

The financial authority of a Hazinedar Usta also reinforced her social and political influence. By controlling the flow of funds and resources within the harem, she could cultivate patronage networks, assist dependents, and act as an intermediary between the sultan’s household and other palace officials. This dual role of treasurer and power broker placed Cevri Kalfa among the wealthiest and most influential women in Istanbul society, with both tangible and relational wealth surpassing most contemporaries.

She is said to have owned multiple farms, particularly in regions corresponding to Mora (*Peloponnese*) and Egriboz (*Euboea*), areas important for agricultural production under Ottoman administration. These estates were part of the broader system of land tenure in Ottoman Greece, where members of the imperial court and local elites often held farmland as a source of income and influence.

## Honours 
Cevri Kalfa held the high-ranking position of *Haznedar Usta* (Grand Treasurer of the Imperial Harem), signifying her seniority and influence within the Ottoman palace. This role involved managing the harem's finances and overseeing subordinate staff, responsibilities that reflected the Sultan's trust in her abilities.

She was buried in the 'Nakşidil Sultan Complex' in Fatih, Istanbul, a site reserved for notable palace officials and members of the imperial household, indicating the respect accorded to her after death. Cevri Kalfa has also been depicted in modern literature and media about Ottoman palace life, highlighting her role in protecting Sultan Mahmud II and her prominence in the imperial harem.

Beyond her formal title of *Haznedar Usta*, Cevri Kalfa’s office carried significant ceremonial and institutional prestige within the Ottoman court. As chief treasurer of the Imperial Harem, she supervised the distribution of stipends, managed expenditures, and maintained financial records for the inner palace. This role placed her among the most senior female officials, ranking above ordinary kalfas and attendants, and granted her direct access to the Valide Sultan and, occasionally, to Sultan Mahmud II. Senior harem officials such as the Haznedar Usta were also influential within palace patronage networks. Control over salaries, promotions, and internal appointments allowed her to shape the careers of subordinate palace women and attendants. Through this administrative authority, she contributed to the broader institutional power exercised by elite women in the Ottoman court.

In Ottoman ceremonial protocol, rank was reflected in residence within the palace, precedence during court functions, and burial honors. Her interment in the 'Nakşidil Sultan Complex' further emphasized the high regard in which she was held and solidified her posthumous recognition among notable palace officials.

Modern historians cite Cevri Kalfa as an example of the political and institutional influence wielded by senior women of the imperial harem, highlighting her loyalty and administrative skill in both contemporary accounts and later historical literature. Beyond her administrative duties, the office of *Haznedar Usta* carried considerable ceremonial significance within the palace hierarchy. Holders of the office were entitled to precedence during court processions and official harem ceremonies, including those associated with royal births, circumcisions, and Eid festivities. The position also granted her oversight of subordinate staff, including kalfas and daye (wet nurses), giving her authority to assign duties and manage daily routines, which enhanced her influence within the palace network.

Cevri Kalfa’s role extended into informal political spheres as well. Senior women of the harem often acted as intermediaries between palace factions and the sultan, influencing appointments, promotions, and access to the imperial family. Through these networks, she likely participated in the mentorship and protection of younger palace women, shaping the internal culture and loyalty structures of the harem.

Her administrative and ceremonial prominence also contributed to posthumous recognition. Historians note that interment in the 'Nakşidil Sultan Complex' was not only an honor reflecting rank but also a sign of lasting esteem, as burial in imperial-associated sites was reserved for individuals whose service and loyalty were exceptional. Contemporary chronicles describe her as a trusted figure who maintained the smooth functioning of palace finances while protecting the interests of the imperial family.

In Ottoman cultural memory, Cevri Kalfa has been cited in studies of harem governance as an example of female administrative authority in an otherwise male-dominated empire. She appears in historical literature, biographies of Mahmud II, and modern media portrayals of the Ottoman court, emphasizing both her loyalty and her role as a stabilizing figure in palace affairs. These portrayals reflect her enduring legacy as one of the few palace women whose influence extended beyond ceremonial roles to practical governance within the Ottoman imperial household.

Cevri Kalfa played a decisive role during the 1808 palace coup. She reportedly hurried to the Apartments of the Princes and brought the young Şehzade Mahmud (later Mahmud II) to her quarters. When the rebels discovered this, Cevri Kalfa threw hot embers at them, buying time for the prince to escape via the roof.

After Mahmud II ascended the throne, he rewarded Cevri Kalfa by appointing her as his prime treasurer. As an expression of his gratitude, the sultan also had a school built in Divanyolu and a mansion constructed on Çamlıca Hill in her name. She was later buried near Queen Mother Nakşidil Sultan, mother of Mahmud II, reflecting her esteemed status within the imperial household.

According to İber Ortaylı: "Cevri Kalfa hurried to the Apartments of the Princes and brought the prince [Mahmud II] up to her own quarters. When the rebels realized what had happened, Cevri Kalfa stopped them by throwing hot embers at them and gained time for the prince to flee via the roof. When the prince ascended the throne as Mahmud II, he remembered Cevri Kalfa and made her his prime treasurer. In addition, the sultan had a school in Divanyolu and a mansion on Çamlıca hill built in her name, as an expression of his gratitude. Cevri Kalfa was buried near Queen Mother Nakşidil Sultan, mother of Mahmud II."

## Depictions in Literature and Popular Culture 
* Cevri Kalfa has occasionally been portrayed in Turkish historical novels and dramatizations about Sultan Mahmud II and the Auspicious Incident. These portrayals emphasize her courage and loyalty in protecting the Sultan.
* She is sometimes referenced in discussions of Circassian women in the Ottoman harem, highlighting the role of female palace servants in historical events.
* Cevri Kalfa is portrayed by Ayten Soykök in the TV series *Kalbimin Sultanı*, highlighting her role as a loyal and influential palace woman.

## See also 
* Canfeda Hatun
* Mahmud II
* Mustafa IV
* Nakşidil Sultan

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## External links 
* Cevri Kalfa – Turkarisanatı – Overview of her life and role in the 1807 coup.  
* Cevri Kalfa Primary School – Culture Inventory – Information about the school built in her honor.  
* Cevri Kalfa Fountain – Gezibilen.com – Description of the fountain sponsored in her name.  
* Photos of Cevri Kalfa’s tomb (archived) – Photographs of her burial site in Istanbul.  
* Mahmud II – Wikipedia – Context on the future sultan she saved.