This replica from 16th century exhibited in your room is of one of the 87 talismanic shirts from the Collection of Sultan’s Clothing at Topkapi Palace and it is considered to have belonged to Bayezid II according to the prayers, motives and meanings of the talisman on the shirt and therefore was adorned with one of his poems…
May this talisman keep any mishap, calamity, unrest and malediction away from you…
The 8th Sultan of Ottoman Empire was the owner of this talismanic shirt… The son of Mehmet the Conquerer… Bayezid II… He had an excellent education before his sultanate; he was well informed about almost all sciences of his era. He was aware of being the son of a great emperor. Bayezid succeeded to the throne after the death of his father yet power struggle with his brother Sultan Cem continued for a long time… Sultan Bayezid was worn out because of this struggle, he was rather upset about it. His conversations with the woman he was in love, Gulbahar Hatun, became inadequate to wipe out his sadness. He was the one sitting on the throne but the shadow of Sultan Cem was always around it. The rumours roaming around people were also depressing…
Although he was very faithful and spiritual, he never managed to visit Ka’bah where he wholeheartedly wished to visit. He ordered the Head Augur a talismanic shirt to tell his devotion to God. He specifically asked for Ka’bah symbol and certain prayers. After having calculated the propitious moment, the Head Augur started the preparation process of the shirt. This talismanic shirt weaved by the master hands is made of silk, differing from the other shirts. The ornament is solely based on the Sultan’s wishes.
The front side of the shirt features numerous surahs and verses from Quran. There are charms on the both sides of the shirt; these charms are sort of sorcery meaning wealth, peace and livelihood. Other symbols are used as well for health and long life. The most important detail of this shirt is the successfully depicted Ka’bah pattern placed on the right chest.
The prayers and verses on the shirt state the greatness and oneness of God; that God is the only one to be praised. The silk cotton is an expression of respect for the fine ornaments of the shirt. The Ka’bah depiction is placed to end gossips and evil thoughts.
The story of the shirt, however, is not limited to this certain subject. Sultan Bayezid loved Gulbahar Hatun the most amongst his wives. He would talk to her about various things; they would exchange ideas… During the making of this shirt started Sultan Bayezid to keep Gulbahar Hatun at a distance for some reason; he absented himself from her, stopped having pleasant conversations with her. Gulbahar Hatun who was heartbroken for what was happening secretly consulted the Head Augur and asked him to engrave fondness charms on the back of the shirt. So that they would be close again; go back to their happy and convivial days.
Rumour has it the moment the shirt was done and he touched it, Gulbahar Hatun and Bayezid II were reunited and their love was never again clouded…
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