12 Facts About Mahidevran

Mahidevran Hatun was a concubine of Suleiman the Magnificent of the Ottoman Empire and the mother of Sehzade Mustafa.

Mahidevran's name means "moon of fortune" or "lucky moon" in Persian.

Mahidevran was the mother of Sehzade Mustafa, the eldest surviving son of the reigning Sultan.

Mahidevran held a prominent position in the harem of her son in Manisa.

Mahidevran was listed among the seventeen women of the harem of Suleiman while he was governor of Manisa; she was not a highly ranked consort, as she earned 4 aspers a day along with two other concubines, while three others earned 5 aspers.

Mahidevran gave birth to her only child, Mustafa who was born in 1515 while they were in Manisa where Suleiman was the sanjak ruler.

Mahidevran left Istanbul with her son Mustafa due to his appointment as sanjak bey of Manisa province and upon his death in 1553 she went into refuge in Bursa, where she eventually died.

The ambassador Trevisano related in 1554 that on the day Mustafa was executed, Mahidevran had sent a messenger warning him of his father's plans to kill him.

For several years after her son's execution, Mahidevran lived a troubled life.

Mahidevran went to Bursa, where her son Mustafa was buried and became the last concubine to retire to Bursa.

Mahidevran's situation improved when her debts were paid and a house was purchased for her by Selim II, Mustafa's half brother and Suleiman's successor, when he ascended the throne.

Financially secure at last, Mahidevran had enough income to create an endowment for the upkeep of her son's tomb.