The series "The Great Century" has led many to imagine the harem as a place of unparalleled luxury, complex intrigues, and romantic encounters with the sultan. This was reported by Upl.uz.
However, in real life, the daily lives of many women in the household were completely different and differed significantly from the bright images on the screens. Behind the beauty of Eastern garments and delicate dances lay strict discipline and hard work, especially for those at the lower levels of the harem hierarchy.
In the harem, the day would begin long before dawn, starting with the call to the morning prayer by the muezzin. After the prayer, the women of the household would begin to carry out the many tasks assigned to them.
Their daily schedule was planned down to the minute. Every day, tasks such as cleaning the floors, washing heavy carpets, and airing all the rooms of the household were carried out.
Additionally, every day, approximately four hundred kilograms of laundry were done by hand. This included personal clothing, bed linens, and towels.
In the kitchen, assistance was required in preparing thousands of dishes. These dishes ranged from simple meals intended for the ordinary servants to exquisite dishes presented to the sultan and his close ones.
No mistakes could be made in any task, as this could lead to serious consequences. The workday often stretched to twelve to fourteen hours, and minor errors could be punished severely.
After long hours of hard work, special attention was given to hygiene. The large bathhouse of the harem occupied approximately 150 square meters and could accommodate fifty women at a time.
Each woman was required to go to the bathhouse at least twice a week. Here, lengthy and often painful procedures were carried out.
For example, the skin was cleaned using harsh gloves and fragrant scrubs, massages were performed to relieve muscle pain, body hair was removed, and various oils and perfumes were applied to the skin and hair. These procedures were not in vain but were accepted as strict requirements, as cleanliness and order were considered important in the harem.
Thus, the harem was characterized not only by jewelry and intrigues but also by hard work, strict discipline, and constant hygiene rituals. While the struggle continued among women trying to gain the sultan's attention, the others simply awaited the opportunity to finish their work faster and rest.
Their lives were filled with monotonous tasks, and dreams of luxury and influence were merely dreams. The world of the harem was based on labor and obedience, not love and intrigues as portrayed on screens.
