In Ottoman history, Hurrem Sultan, the wife of Suleiman the Magnificent, remains at the center of many debates. This was reported by Upl.uz.
One of the most significant events illustrating the complexity of her legacy is the cancellation of the planned marriage between the heir to the throne, Prince Mustafa, and Aybige Hatun, the Crimean princess. This event reveals multifaceted political maneuvers whose consequences extended far beyond personal interests.
The planned dynastic alliance held great strategic importance. The birth of Mahidevran's first favorite and the intended marriage of Mustafa to Aybige Hatun from the Giray dynasty of the Crimean Khans was meant to strengthen the military-political alliance between the Ottoman Empire and the Crimean Khanate, while also elevating the status of the prince and his mother within the palace.
For Hurrem Sultan, however, this situation posed a direct threat to her and her children's future, as her own children were also contenders for the throne. Yet, the situation became even more complicated due to the personal relationships of the main figures involved.
Aybige Hatun was not interested in a politically motivated marriage; her heart was attached to Malkoçoğlu Bali Bey, the empire's commander and hero. This factor became the basis for Hurrem Sultan's actions.
Hurrem, through her influence and deep understanding of palace psychology, held conversations with Aybige, persuading her not to abandon her true feelings. As a result, rumors about plans to elope with Bali Bey sparked a major scandal among the public.
Whether the escape plans were real or skillfully fabricated misinformation, this event made the marriage to the heir impossible. The marriage was canceled, marking a serious tactical defeat for Mahidevran and Mustafa's supporters.
Today, Hurrem's actions are evaluated differently. Some analysts, separating her deeds from the historical context, regard Hurrem's actions as accidental heroism.
According to their view, Mustafa's marriage to Aybige would have doomed her to an unhappy life, as the prince's character and harem traditions could have led to many negative consequences. Moreover, despite being his official wife and of noble origin, she would have always remained in a marginalized position.
An important piece of evidence supporting this theory is Mustafa's subsequent fate. Years later, Sultan Suleiman, convinced of a conspiracy against the prince—stemming from Hurrem's intrigues—had Mustafa executed.
According to Ottoman law, executing claimants to the throne often required eliminating their male descendants as well. Thus, Mustafa's wife and children also suffered tragic fates.
From this perspective, although Hurrem's interference served her own interests, it preserved Aybige's life and freedom. According to another widely held academic opinion, Hurrem's actions were a far-sighted tactic based solely on political interests.
Supporters of this theory do not deny the role of her efforts to save Aybige in Mustafa's fate, nor that Hurrem herself was the architect of these events. She not only saved her rival but also orchestrated the events that led to the downfall of Mustafa and his family.
Thus, her interference in the marriage was part of a long-term strategy aimed at eliminating the main rival for her children. This was not a rescue but rather the destruction of a powerful ally and reputation of her opponent.
