Learn How to Pronounce Kösem Sultan | YouPronounce.it
How to Pronounce Kösem Sultan
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Meaning and Context
Kösem Sultan, born Anastasia around 1589 and known also as Mahpeyker, was a paramount figure of the Ottoman Empire during the early 17th century, an era often termed the Sultanate of Women. As the consort of Sultan Ahmed I and the mother of Sultans Murad IV and Ibrahim I, she wielded extraordinary political influence, effectively serving as a Valide Sultan (Queen Mother) and regent during her sons' reigns and the minority of her grandson, Mehmed IV. Her political power extended through intricate networks of patronage, control of the imperial harem, and alliances with key Ottoman Empire officials, making her a central architect of state policy during a period of significant internal crisis and transformation. Her complex legacy, culminating in her dramatic assassination in 1651, underscores the immense authority a woman could hold in the Ottoman dynasty and her role in shaping the empire's history during its so-called "Reign of Women."
Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings
The primary name, Kösem Sultan, is the most widely accepted and used spelling in modern English historiography. However, several variations exist due to transliteration from Ottoman Turkish. The most common alternative is Kösem Sultan, where the "ö" (representing the close-mid front rounded vowel) is sometimes rendered as "o" or "oe," leading to spellings like Kosem Sultan or Koesem Sultan. The cedilla under the "s" (ş) is crucial, as it denotes the "sh" sound; omitting it results in the incorrect Kösem Sultan, which mispronounces the name. Her other given name, Mahpeyker, meaning "moon-faced," may also appear as Mahpeykar. Common typos and errors include Kosam Sultan, Kösam Sultan, and confusing her with her predecessor Safiye Sultan or her rival and granddaughter-in-law Turhan Sultan.
Example Sentences
Historians often cite Kösem Sultan's adept navigation of palace politics as a key factor in stabilizing the empire during the turbulent reigns of her sons.
As Valide Sultan, Kösem Sultan controlled vast financial resources and appointed key provincial governors, consolidating her power base within the imperial court.
The factional rivalry between Kösem Sultan and her grandson's mother, Turhan Hatice Sultan, ultimately led to a deadly power struggle within the harem.
Modern depictions in film and television have renewed popular interest in the life and influence of Kösem Sultan.
Her enduring legacy is that of a formidable stateswoman who exercised sovereignty from behind the throne during the pinnacle of the Sultanate of Women.
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