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Here is a documentary on a few of the most powerful women in the Ottoman Empire. Whether concubines, wives, or mothers, they wielded significant power over the empire from within the harem.

With any documentary, be careful; not everything said is 100% accurate. Conjectures can be touted as fact, and context is often manipulated or omitted. Take this documentary as a general introduction, not as a dissemination of canonized historical fact. Having said that, this is a beautifully done documentary with several legitimate and renown scholars who provide great insight.

The above documentary can be supplemented with this ten minute clip, from minute 39 to 49, which discusses the role women in the harem played, particularly as mothers of the sultan’s sons. (Login to the library first to ensure the link works properly.)