Şekerpare Hatun

As customary for the Ottoman female courtiers in this time period, she enterred the Imperial Ottoman Harem as a slave and began her career in the of Sultan Ibrahim's harem as the Hazinedar Usta (treasurer) of the imperial harem.^[1] She was later appointed Kethüde Hatun (mistress housekeeper).^[2] At the start, she was a high ranked lady-in-waiting of Kösem Sultan, the mother of Ibrahim.

In 1644 the Grand vizier Kemankeş Mustafa Pasha's standing was threatened by a powerful faction which was controlling the appointment and dismissal of certain individuals, even enriching its members in the process. This party included Şekerpare as well as Ibrahim's other male favourites.^[3] Mustafa Pasha was executed and Ibrahim appointed his favourite Sultanzade Mehmed Pasha as the new Grand Vizier.^[2]

Şekerpare had great influence in the harem and attained wealth, apparently through bribery. A dispute arose between her and Kösem Sultan due to this bribery,^[4] and finally Şekerpare was exiled^[2] to the island of Chios or to Egypt in May 1648, when she died in 1649.^[5]

In 1647, Şekerpare married Grand vizier Kara Musa Pasha.^[1] She played an important role in his career. He advanced in his career through his connection to Şekerpare; he first became agha of janissaries with the vizierate, and then held the post of intendant of finances.^[6]

The treasure of Egypt was lavished on Ibrahim's favourite wives and women, which included Şekerpare.^[7] A house was also bought for her.^[8] She also owned sixteen chests of jewelry.^[9]

It was known that Ebezade Hamide Hatun, wife of Hasan Pasha, the governor of Aleppo, was a friend of Şekerpare Hatun.^[2]

In early 1648 she endowed a fountain in Istanbul,^[10] and commissioned the building of her own mausoleum at Eyüp, which, however, remained empty.^[11]