Hiriban Hatun

**Hiriban Hatun** (Modern Yoman: هیریبان کاتون, "*radiant kindness*" or "*great/immense kindness*"; 1260/1262 – 1312) she was a yoman princess, third daughter of Işa I and Anna Hatun and therefore full sister of Fahkriye Hatun and Hundi Hatun.

## Early life

Hiriban was born in the Old Bakvaär Palace around 1261 when his father had just been appointed Müdür-bey. Her mother was Anna Hatun, who had acquired a prominent position in the harem as one of Işa's main favorites.

## First Marriage

Having been born around 1261 she was not promised in marriage to any pasha, thus remaining Işa's only daughter not to be married or compromised. However, when her sister Selçuk died in 1266 even before marrying Murgan Ahmed Bey, Işa compromised Hiriban with him.

The wedding took place in 1277 when Hiriban was about 16 years old while the pasha was 41.

Murgan Pasha being the Bey of Limitsa Hiriban had to leave the capital. The marriage was happy and they had two sons, Kara Pasha and Ibrahim Pasha.

Together with Hatice Hatun she was one of the richest daughters of Işa. Murgan Pasha was in fact very rich and influential in the economic sphere of Limitsa and the surrounding regions as he was not only Sanjakbey of Limitsa but also a trader of spices and goods.

Murgan Pasha died in 1280, Işa appointed Katip Süleyman Pasha as Bey of Limitsa, who had previously been a vizier of the council of Limitsa. Hiriban once appointed according to some sources said that he would never have lived up to her husband.

With the death of Murgan Pasha, a large part of his inheritance went to Hiriban who remained in deep mourning for two years.

## Second Marriage

Murad decided in 1283 to rest Hiriban, his choice had fallen on Mimar Efendi, however Mimar was accused by a village he owned of not respecting the laws related to rents and therefore the agreement fell through. Işa then chose Mehmed Çelebi who was the head of the market of Karazza.

Initially Hiriban was against the marriage but later accepted it. The two had a daughter.

The Treaty of Açukşu (1287-1288) caused a serious economic disaster in Karazza as it blocked the economy of neighboring provinces and the provinces that traded with them. Hiriban and Mehmed Çelebi remained at the head of the market until the end of 1289 and after which they had to move to the capital where Mehmed opened several premises.

## Imperial ambassador

Her step-brothers: Mehmed Bey and Mahmud Bey, returned to the borders of the empire around 1289, the two in fact had reunited provinces to rebel against Murad for at least a year. They once inside the empire settled in Furdanı, Murad wanted to attack them, but however Murad after learning of the size of their army retreated and asked Hiriban Hatun to act as an intermediary between the two, she became the first female ambassador of the Yoman Empire.

Diplomacy, however, failed to calm the waters and forced the imperial family to take sides, first the sisters of the princes and then the entire empire. Hiriban like all the other sisters declared loyalty to Murad under threat, while some like Hatice Hatun and Salça Hatun remained faithful others like Fatma Hatun and Hundi Melek Hatun betrayed Murad in favor of Mehmed and Mahmud. It is not known which side Hiriban took, throughout the entire war we have no news of her, she probably took care of her husband's premises. According to Mürçi, Hiriban arrived at the palace after being told of Mahmud's win.

## Reigns of Mahmud and Haznir Bey

Mahmud kept his wages, both his own and that of his children Mehmed Çelebi was allowed to return to Karazza after the reopening of the economy and was given back the position of market president, when he died in 1306 Mahmud organized and financed the funeral, Hiriban thanked him and erected a column in the Karazza market in her honor, Mahmud Bey Sütunu (Column of Mahmud Bey), the column represented Mahmud's life and ascension to the throne, it was built in pre-fallen style taking inspiration from the columns of some Emperors. Mahmud's column started a tradition among subsequent rulers who built columns to celebrate their victory; this custom stopped with Ömer Bey.

This column depicted the trust that not only Hiriban but the entire kingdom had towards Mahmud and his dynasty, however despite at first Mahmud was seen as a savior years after his death due to the multiple mistakes caused by his descendants to be called "Mahmud the usurper" ("Gaspçı Mahmud").

She attended Mahmud's funeral and Haznir Bey's coronation. Haznir kept her salary as his father had. Hiriban lived out his last days at his residence in Karazza and took care of the children of her first son Kara Pasha who had died leaving behind two wives and three children.

## Death and burial

Hiriban died in 1312 during the reign of his nephew Haznir. She was buried in the Sultaniye Complex along with her father, mother, sisters and brothers.