Father Prince Mansur Temruko Children Mehmed V, Fatma Sultan | Mother Princess Dadeshkeliani Spouse Abdulmejid I | |
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Tenure 2 July 1839– 25 June 1861 Born c. 1823Maykop, Russian Empire ( 1823 ) Issue Adoptive:Fatma SultanRefia SultanMehmed V House House of Temruko (by birth)House of Osman (by marriage) Parents Prince Mansur Temruko, Princess Dadeshkeliani Similar Abdulmejid I, Mehmed V, Şayeste Hanımefendi, Mahmud II, Bezmiâlem Sultan | ||
Servetseza Kadın (c. 1823 – 25 September 1878; Ottoman Turkish: ثروت سزا قادين) was the Empress consort of Sultan Abdülmecid I of the Ottoman Empire.
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Early life
Empress Servetseza Kadın was born in the Temruko dynasty, in Maykop Russia. She belonged to the Kabarday clan of Circassia. Her actual name is unknown. Her father was Prince Mansur Temruko and her mother belonged to the Principality of Dadeshkeliani. She had two brothers, Prince Andok Bey (died 1886) and Prince Süleyman Bey (died 1896), and a sister Princess Fatma Şemsfer Hanım (died 1855).
Marriage
In 1838 Servetseza left her city of birth and reached Istanbul. She became a Lady-in-waiting to Sultan Abdul Hamid I's daughter, Mahmud's half sister, Princess Esma Sultan. Sultan Mahmud II's eldest son, Abülmecid ascended the throne, after his death on 2 July 1839. Princess Esma Sultan selected Servetseza as a consort for her nephew, the new Sultan, Abdülmecid. Servetseza married him in 1839 and became the Empress consort. She was granted the rank of Chief consort under the title "Baş Servetseza Kadın" (باش ثروت سزا قادین; "Servetseza" meaning "Worthy of riches"). Her marriage to Abdülmecid strengthened the relations between the two dynasties. He also made her sister, Fatma Şemsfer Hanım, hazinedar of the Imperial Harem. The Harem had felt the utmost of jealousy towards Servetseza and had written ditties against her, pointing to her shrewish nature. She was an intelligent and a well cultured lady, and was described an interesting and accomplished woman, but not extraordinary for extra charms. The future Empress Dürrünev Kadın, consort of Prince Şehzade Abdülaziz (the future Sultan Abdülaziz), was a Lady-in-waiting to her.
Servetseza remained childless. After Empress Gülcemal Kadın's death in 1851, Princess Fatma Sultan, Princess Refia Sultan and Prince Şehzade Mehmed Reşad (future Mehmed V) were enrusted in her care. When Empress mother Bezmiâlem Sultan died in 1853, Servetseza was placed incharge of Abdülmecid's harem. Upon this occasion, Empress Şevkefza Kadın took courage of Servetseza Kadın's affection for heir Prince Şehzade Mehmed Murad (future Sultan Murad V) and Abdülmecid's wish to see his son as the next Sultan, and rose in opposition to Empress dowager Pertevniyal Sultan and her son Prince Şehzade Abdülaziz.
Last years and death
After Abdülmecid's death on 25 June 1861 she moved to Kabataş Palace. Servetseza was apparently very fond of Murad, and indiscreetly told many people that Abdul Hamid II had usurped the throne from Murad.
It is believed by some that Servetseza Kadın, was murdered. One night in Ramadan she is said to have gone to Abdulhamid and warned him. She ordered him to give the throne back to it to its rightful owner. After pretending to heed her warning, he arranged that she be served with a poisoned drink, and died upon her return to her palace. She died on 25 September 1878, and was buried in the Mausoleum of the imperial ladies at the Yavuz Selim Mosque, Istanbul.