The Harem in Topkapı Palace is a separate place located on the left side of the second and third courtyards (facing the Golden Horn). Its structuring and expansion is based largely on the long reign of Suleiman the Magnificent. Since there was no crowded and perfect organization in the time of the Conqueror, it is not mentioned much. It is difficult to determine precisely which were the first structures of the harem section; however XVI. Additions starting towards the end of the century XIX. It continued until the middle of the century. The rooms and mansions, which were added as the need occurred, resulted in the unplanned structuring of this part in a complex form. Important parts of the Harem are Vâlide Sultan Taşlığı, III. Murad Mansion, Şehzadeler School, Zülüflü Baltacılar Ward, III. Osman Mansion and Fruit Room. The members of the harem section consisted of the sultan’s mother, sultan’s daughters, sisters and wives, and female relatives of the dynasty such as aunts and siblings. The entourage of women in the Harem has grown over time. Other members of the harem were congregations who were gifted or bought to the palace. Only a few of the female members who were not members of the dynasty became the wives of the sultan, the others were taken out of the palace after being educated and educated in this section. The education, entertainment and clothing needs of the women in the Harem who do not participate in the city life are met by the Dârüssaâde agha, their shopping from the city is done through the Harem masters, and their contact with the city was also through the courtiers who married and left the palace before. Some of the girls who grew up in the harem would be included in the servant class such as treasurer master and journeyman. The most prestigious of the circle was always the governor sultan. All the servants of the harem section were subordinate to Dârüssaâde (see DÂRÜSSAÂDE). Men belonging to the dynasty were first given the title of “ Çelebi ” by the father, then the title of prince, and then the title of sultan to the daughters. The wives of the sultan would take the title of woman and haseki.
Other members of the harem section were princes. XV and XVI. The princes had their own palaces because they were sent to the sanjak when they were about eight or ten years old. III. With the abandonment of the method of sending to the sanjak after Mehmed, the princes lived with their wives, relatives and servants in the flat called “Şimşirlik” in the Harem section until the end of their lives. XIX. Since the second half of the century, princes were allowed to live in their own houses outside the palace. The Old Palace, built behind Beyazıt Square before Topkapı Palace, should be considered as an extension of the Harem organization. Women who were relatives of the rulers, whose fathers or wives were not on the throne, lived in the Old Palace. It is determined that the population of the palace is around 726 people according to the records of the period of Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror. Mutferriks, gardeners, clerks, gunmen, clergymen, janitors, mehters, bakers, left-handers, secbans, pocketmen, private barn workers, saddlery, grooms, coachmen, goldsmiths, hawkers, tippers were the officials who were registered. It can be said that the people of the palace were more than 1500 people, including the Harem part and those in close service of the ruler, which are not included in this record dated 883 (1478).
