Turkish Learning Community and Resource

This week we will be getting to know Turkish historical characters. The people we will recognize this week are kanuni sultan süleyman and hürrem sultan. 

Kanuni Sultan Süleyman was the tenth Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, who ruled from 1520 until his death in 1566. He is considered one of the greatest Ottoman sultans and is known by the epithet "the Magnificent" in the Western world. During his reign, the Ottoman Empire was at the height of its power and influence, and he oversaw significant territorial expansion and military conquests. 

Kanuni Sultan Süleyman was also known for his legal reforms, which were based on the Islamic legal tradition of shariah. He codified and consolidated the legal system of the Ottoman Empire, known as the Kanunname or "Book of Laws," which served as a model for other Muslim countries. 

In addition to his military and legal accomplishments, Kanuni Sultan Süleyman was also a patron of the arts and architecture. He commissioned the construction of many buildings, including mosques, palaces, and public works, and he was a great lover of poetry and music. Some of the most famous Ottoman poets and musicians flourished during his reign, including the legendary poet Rumi. 

Here is famous poem by Kanuni Sultan Süleyman, which is a tribute to his wife Hürrem Sultan; 

Dil-i muztaribimle bir meydanda  

Gülistan-i 'aşka girdim gülzar-ı Hürrem'de  

Meydan-ı aşka girince gülşen,  

Gülşen-i aşka girince böğrümde hayalin var 

Kalbimde kahrınla var olan aşkın 

Tebessümünle şenlenir gönül bağı  

Gönül bağı gülistana döner,  

Kıyamete kadar bu gönül bağını kopardırmam 

English version; 

In the field of my restless heart, 

I entered the garden of love, the rose garden of Hürrem. 

As I entered the field of love,  

The rose garden, Your image was in my heart. 

Love, which exists in my heart with pain,  

Is cheered by your smile.  

The garden of the heart turns into a rose garden, 

And I will never cut off this heart's bond until the end of time. 

Kanuni Sultan Süleyman's legacy continues to be celebrated in Turkey and beyond. He is remembered as a powerful and influential leader who left a lasting impact on the Ottoman Empire and the world. 

Hürrem Sultan, also known as Roxelana, was a slave girl who became the wife of Kanuni Sultan Süleyman, the tenth Sultan of the Ottoman Empire. She was born around 1502 in present-day Ukraine and was taken as a slave to the Ottoman court in Istanbul. There she caught the eye of Kanuni Sultan Süleyman, and they were married in 1533, after he had freed and elevated her to the status of a queen. 

Hürrem Sultan was known for her intelligence, beauty, and political acumen. She had a great influence on Kanuni Sultan Süleyman and played an active role in the affairs of state. She was instrumental in the appointment and dismissal of several grand viziers and other high-ranking officials in the Ottoman court, and she was also involved in negotiations with foreign ambassadors and leaders. 

Hürrem Sultan was also a patron of the arts and architecture. She commissioned the construction of many buildings, including mosques, schools, and hospitals, and she supported the work of Ottoman artists and poets. Some of the most famous Ottoman architects and artists flourished during her reign, including the legendary architect Sinan and the poet Baki. 

Hürrem Sultan's legacy continues to be celebrated in Turkey and beyond. She is remembered as a strong and influential woman who left a lasting impact on the Ottoman Empire and the world. Her love story with Kanuni Sultan Süleyman is also famous and is seen as an example of the power of true love and the ability of a strong woman to influence the course of history. 

Also I really recommend you to watch Muhteşem Yüzyıl. 

It was loosely based on the life of Kanuni Sultan Süleyman and his wife Hürrem Sultan, as well as the politics, intrigues, and events of the Ottoman court during the 16th century. 

The series became immensely popular both in Turkey and abroad, particularly in the Middle East and Latin America. It was noted for its lavish production values, intricate costumes, and detailed sets that recreated the splendor of the Ottoman Empire during its heyday. 

Muhteşem Yüzyıl portrayed Kanuni Sultan Süleyman and Hürrem Sultan as star-crossed lovers whose love story transcended the boundaries of class, power, and convention. It also depicted their political and military exploits, as well as the machinations of their courtiers and rivals, including the scheming Grand Vizier Ibrahim Pasha and the ambitious Haseki Mahidevran. 

Also you can find subtitles for this tv series. You should check few episodes and you will love it.