Beshir Agha
Beshir Agha was an Ottoman eunuch.[1]
Career
Agha was born in Ethiopia and was brought to Ottoman Empire as a slave.[2] He held various positions before his 1713 exile to Cyprus for unknown reasons. Despite this, he soon protected the Prophet's Mosque in Medina as one of the numerous eunuchs.[3] Around age 60, he returned to Istanbul and was appointed Chief Harem Eunuch under Sultan Ahmed III in 1716.[3]
Engaging in literary pursuits and politics, Agha deposed the previous grand vizier, promoting Nevşehirli Damat Ibrahim Pasha in his place.[3]
Although Ahmed III was overthrown in 1730, Agha continued as chief eunuch under Sultan Mahmud I, accruing significant authority.[3] As protector of the Holy Places, he influenced the Ottoman interpretation of Sunni Islam, particularly the Hanafi legal rite.[3] At times, his position was second only to the sultan and grand vizier.[3]
By his 1746 death, Agha, in his 90s, had become one of the wealthiest, most powerful, and longest-lived chief harem eunuchs in Ottoman history.[3]
References
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- Hathaway, Jane (2005). Beshir Agha: Chief Eunuch of the Ottoman Imperial Harem Investigators
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