@crupajoshi: "Luxury on the outside. Captivity on the inside. The Harem was never just silk and jewels." "They were called favorites, but they were bought. They lived in palaces, but never went home." [ Topkapi Palace Museum ] [Istanbul] #historyfacts #topkapı #topkapipalace #haremhistory #darkhistory

user3435118390144 :

Western imagination often romanticized or orientalized the harem, frequently misportraying it as a sexualized playground or brothel. In reality, these spaces functioned as highly organized, hierarchical households. The women often underwent rigorous education and upbringing, preparing them for influential social and political roles

Alyssa2002101 :

The book “Girls Of Paper And Fire” or something like that I imagine it just like this

adastra08 :

Keep in mind that the size of the harem was so enormous that a lot of of them never even met the Sultan or if they did, spent only a few nights with him.

C🐮 :

I believe that buildings do feel their history, and that’s why we get certain feelings in specific places - those buildings are trying to share their grief

sputnik_in_orbit :

I‘ve visited topkapi palace when I was in Istanbul. Its actually horrifying- it‘s tiny, there was no garden, no nothing.

Kaomi Dawn :

We remember you sisters ❤️🙏🏼

LorrieO :

One of my favorite women was renamed Hurrem Sultan. She was good, brave and tough.

💚DieNamekianerin💚 :

Wait where did you get this info from that these were all slaves. I learned that the Harem was a space where only women were allowed which includes all female relatives to be safe there

pizzabagel 🏴‍☠️ :

I read a fictional book about a harem. I sure wish I could remember what the title was…I read it at least twice!

Rocio0705 :

As a mom to two girls this fills me with so much rage

Fred :

Was no one else freaked out at 17 seconds?

❤️‍🔥vee❤️‍🔥 :

here they go in the comments 😭

Calendula_girl :

I read a book titled Maia, written by Richard Adam's (The same author as watership down). Her (Maia) story is set in a fictional land, but reminds me very very much of this exact setting/empire

Tracypop :

sad☹️

🧿Nunya🧿 :

Heartbreaking 😭

🕉️Apple User597326🕉️ :

Actually that not where they slept

PilgrimGirl :

AmIreal? :

@w

ohsomesilliness :

Ugggh I wish the architecture didn’t go so hard!

K :

I like how no one is talking about the outfit 😂

sussybussybunny :

No matter the jewels, silks, or education rewarding them for good behavior, these girls were slaves. They had names, families, hopes, and dreams they never got to have again after entering these walls. History is constantly cruel to women.

SilenceDoGood :

history has always been cruel to women and girls..

MapleTech246 :

They were part of the decoration. The silks weren't bought for their benefit, any more than doll clothes are bought for the doll.