Beshir Agha was an Ottomaneunuch.[1]
Beshir Agha | |
|---|---|
| Kizlar agha | |
| In office c.1716–1746 | |
| Monarchs | Ahmed III Mahmud I |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1650’s |
| Died | 1746 (aged 90’s) |
| Nationality | Ethiopian |
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Agha was born inEthiopia and was brought toOttoman Empire as a slave.[2] He held various positions before his 1713 exile toCyprus for unknown reasons. Despite this, he soon protected theProphet's Mosque in Medina as one of the numerous eunuchs.[3] Around age 60, he returned toIstanbul and was appointedChief Harem Eunuch under Sultan Ahmed III in 1716.[3]
Engaging in literary pursuits andpolitics, Agha deposed the previousgrand vizier, promotingNevşehirli Damat Ibrahim Pasha in his place.[3]
Although Ahmed III was overthrown in 1730, Agha continued as chief eunuch underSultan Mahmud I, accruing significant authority.[3] As protector of the Holy Places, he influenced the Ottoman interpretation ofSunni 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]
