Kaya Sultan
| Kaya Sultan | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1633 Istanbul,Ottoman Empire |
| Died | 1659 Istanbul,Ottoman Empire |
| Spouse | Melek Ahmed Pasha |
| Issue | Afife Hanimsultan |
| House | House of Osman |
| Father | Murad IV |
| Mother | Ayşe Haseki Sultan |
| Religion | Islam |
Kaya Sultan (1633–1659) was an Ottoman princess. She was the daughter of Ottoman sultan Murad IV. She married the statesman Melek Ahmed Pasha in 1644 and died shortly after giving birth, at the age of 26, due to complications during her labour. The famed Ottoman traveler Evliya Çelebi noted a specific encounter with Kaya Sultan in his Book of Travels. An entire chapter of the book is dedicated to Kaya Sultan, from her pregnancy to her death.
Kaya was born to Sultan Murad IV, known as an autocratic and cruel ruler. The marriage of princesses for political ends has always been used by the sultans, and Kaya was no exception. At the age of 13, Kaya was married to Melek Ahmed Pasha, a future Ottoman Grand Vizier of Abkhazian origin, who was in his mid 50s. The year of their marriage is given as 1644. However, Kaya was extremely hostile towards her husband, as evident on her wedding night when she struck him with a dagger.
Kaya proved to be important to her husband's political career. She often assisted him with strategical and financial aid. Evliya Çelebi regarded Kaya Sultan as a prime example of the dynasty's beneficence. He also noted that within all the princesses and their husbands, none got on as well as Kaya and Melek. After the death of Kaya, Melek reportedly threw himself on her coffin and wept uncontrollably.
It is claimed in Evliya Celebi's book that Kaya experienced strange dreams and requested Melek to interpret them. Kaya stated that these dreams included her strolling in the gardens with her grandfather. At the end of her dream, Kaya's grandfather passed his hand over her face in blessing, but the hand was immediately covered in blood. Kaya then proceeded to pass her own hand over her face and she too, was covered in blood. This is where the princess awoke with fright. Melek Ahmed instructed Kaya to give 1000 gold pieces to the poors as alms, 2000 to his interior aghas and exterior aghas, as well as 300 to Evliya Celebi and 100 to Evliya's sister. Kaya Sultan did as she was instructed but later, Melek revealed to Evliya that when Kaya Sultan gives birth, she would bleed to death.
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