Bayezid II
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 and therefore was adorned with one of his poems…
May this talisman protect you, bring you victory, health, happiness and fortune… May it be your bliss and wealth…
He was just 7 years old when he became the governor of Amasya. All of the famous scholars of the time were impressed by him. He was exceptionally educated in philosophy, mathematics, calligraphy as well as in Persian and Arabic. He learned the dialect of Cagatay and alphabet of Uygur, two old dynasties in Turkish history. He was a religious person, a musician and calligrapher… He became a successful statesman. He fought various wars for his nation. He was, in addition to all these, a man of art… His interest in architecture and poetry was resounded. He was so interested that at a time when the city went through one of the strongest earthquakes of the time and the destroyed city was built again with massive perseverance and endeavour.
Having interest in science and arts, Sultan Bayezid II was also a hunting enthusiast. One day while he was coming back from hunting, he smelled something alluring, magical and peaceful in the air. He took a deep breath and questioned where the smell was coming from. He, then, turned towards the house of a person called "Gül Baba" with the direction of his Grand Vizier. He walked in to the house saying "Accept my greetings, the brave soldier who rocks the ground he steps in the war, who turns the place he lives into a rose garden." Everywhere was surrounded by beautiful flowers. It was Gül Baba’s house… He invited this respectable person in to his palace to take him under his care. However, Gül Baba had rather another wish instead of moving to the palace. The man with the whitest beard, with the brightest face wished a school to be built where there his house now after he dies… He offered the Sultan a bouquet of yellow and red roses and he sent him off after a pleasant conversation. Bayezid II fulfilled Gül Baba’s wish short while following his death and today’s Galatasaray High School which takes its colours from the yellow and red roses rising from Gül Baba’s garden was built.
Everyone wished a longer enthronement in the palace of a such merciful and good person. Therefore many talismanic shirts were weaved for Sultan Bayezid… Some would protect him during the wars, some would give him health, some would protect him from the evil eyes. And this shirt is the one to give him power and bring him victories in the wars he fights… Yet again another story of a shirt started. There were prayers, goodwills on it… The Head Augur completed his works, the cloths were weaved and calligraphers took their pens and inks in hand and started to adorn the shirt. The shirt was garnished with yellow stars and flower patterns and coloured with the power of colour blue. This shirt weaved only for Sultan Bayezid was finally read to wear… The time passed so quickly that it was 31 years of Sultan Bayezid’s reign… Unfortunately when his final days on the throne of Sultan Bayezid came closer, his astute son Selim who was also supported by the janissaries was invited to Istanbul. Selim appeared before Sultan Bayezid and kissed hands on April 24. "Do not leave the path of justice, be merciful to those in need and incapable. Show compassion to the helpless, if you want to be respected, show respect; do not resort to unkind actions unless it is necessary." Bayezid told his son Selim who was standing in front of him hands clasped and after saying many prayers, he handed over his sultanate, his reign to his son…
This shirt presented in your room along with the poem…. of also a skilful poet Sultan Bayezid is again a special handicraft…
