The full interview with Murat Öztekin…
To read the full interview with Murat Öztekin in Turkish, please click on this link.
The Ottoman Dynasty family lives in different parts of the world after the tragedy of exile. You also continue your life in the UK. How does it feel to be a sultan in 21st century Europe?
Yes, the exile of my entire family was a terrible tragedy. One that brought great pain and suffering to all those forced to leave their homeland and settle in foreign lands. Both my grandparents suffered this tragic fate, and my father was born and raised in exile in Egypt before coming to the UK to further his education. After meeting my mother in London he decided to stay in England, as at that time he was still forbidden to go to Turkey, and so fate dictated that I would be born in the UK and my life would be there.
I am often asked what it feels like to be an Ottoman Sultan. Well, I obviously feel incredibly proud, deeply honoured, and very privileged to be a member of the Ottoman dynasty. However your question is rather more specific than that. Being an Ottoman Sultan living in Europe, or indeed living anywhere in the 21st Century, can be difficult at times. I often feel that I do not really fit in or belong anywhere, despite trying to assimilate with those around me when I am in England and despite spending as much time as I can in Turkey. I feel a profound sense of duty and respect towards my family and for my heritage, and a deep love for my homeland and its people, yet a sadness exists in my soul that I believe was passed down from my grandparents and through my father as a result of their long years in exile. I very much appreciate the recent interest many people have in me and in other members of my family, but it is sometimes hard to balance their expectations of us with the fact that we live as private citizens with no defined role to play, and have been forced to make our lives outside Turkey. Social media brings added challenges for the 21stCentury – I know that I am not alone when I say that I have experienced cruel and vindictive online abuse, and it is hard to receive such criticism from people who have never met me yet feel entitled to insult me and my family. But I have learned to accept these and all other difficulties and challenges associated with my heritage, because the sense of immense pride that I feel at being a direct descendant of the Ottoman Sultans far outweighs any other emotion I have.
What kind of family environment did you grow up in and what kind of family do you have now?
I grew up in a small riverside town in the south of England. We had a modest house and lifestyle, and were taught the important values of life such as honesty, respect and kindness. My parents love my brothers and me very much, but sadly when I look back I do not feel that our childhoods were particularly happy ones. I think my father felt frustrated by some of his life choices and was not happy living permanently in England, and my mother never really recovered from the grief that consumed her following the sudden death of my three month old baby brother, Nihad Reşad Efendi. My father was quite strict and placed a lot of importance on education, so my brothers and I worked hard at school and were encouraged and pushed to excel. This was a good thing as we all did well at school before going on to study at University. I went to Exeter University where I studied History and Politics, and then I took a Masters Degree in Turkish Studies at SOAS, in London, specialising in Ottoman History.
Today I still live in the south of England, but in a small village surrounded by fields. I live with my husband who I met at University, our five beautiful and amazing children and two cats! I have four sons – Ali 21, Tarik 20, Cengiz 18 and Ziya 15 and one daughter named Aliye who is 16. Our house is filled with love and laughter, and is never quiet! We love gathering round the table for long lunches and dinners, we enjoy playing all sorts of sport, snuggling on the sofa to watch Netflix, skiing in the winter, travelling to our home in Bodrum in the summer and simply just being together. Nothing makes me happier than being with my family.
Your interest in history is remarkable. Thank you so much. I think historical events were always talked about in your house. Yes, you are absolutely right. Is it simply being a member of a great dynasty behind this?
Obviously many people have an inherent love for and interest in History. Such a passion is certainly not reserved exclusively to those descended from the great dynasties of the past. However, as a member of such a dynasty, my own family history is inextricably intertwined with the illustrious six hundred year history of the Ottoman Empire which I find incredibly humbling, and which has made me want to learn and understand as much as I can about it. From as early as I can remember, my father and my grandparents told me stories about the Ottoman Empire, about the Ottoman Caliphate and about my family. These stories left an indelible mark on my heart that can never be erased, and these stories are what fostered my interest in history.
Well, what was it like for you to research your historical roots?
It was actually a very emotional journey. I cried a lot, but smiled to myself too. I learned so much about the late Ottoman period, but what I value most about my research is that I learned so much about my ancestors, and what life was like for them during their enforced confinement at the Çırağan Palace. In fact I feel like I got to know them as individuals, as the personalities that they were. To me they are no longer just names on a family tree or faces in a faded photograph – my research has brought them to life and in so doing has connected me to my roots. And in some ways, by understanding who they were, I understand more about myself.
Sultan V. Murad, one of the most unfortunate sultans in Ottoman history, becomes one of your great grandfathers. How did you first learn about his life?
I am not exactly sure when I first learned about Sultan Murad V. I just grew up always knowing about him. Perhaps this is because my brother is called Murad and I knew he was named after my Dede’s great-grandfather. Perhaps it is because my Dede told me many stories about Sultan Murad V when I was a little girl. Or perhaps it is because his portrait hung in our house and I looked at it every day. I cannot honestly remember. But he has always been part of my life, and I have always wanted to know more about him.
Your work, in which you describe the life of Sultan Murad V., was translated into Turkish with the name “BOĞAZ’DAKİ ALTIN KAFES”. What were the reasons that prompted you to write the life of Sultan Murad V?
I always felt that the story of Sultan Murad V needed to be told from his perspective. History has not been kind to him, and he is very misunderstood. We must remember that History is most often written by the victors, so we must always question what we read. So I set about researching and writing about my great great grandfather in the hope that my children would know him as he really was, rather than as he is portrayed in history books. I wanted them to learn about the sensitive, enlightened liberal prince. The loving father. The talented composer. The modern reformist. I wanted his voice to be heard. And I wanted his truth to be shared. In fact, it was never my intention to publish my book. I wrote it for my children, for my future grandchildren, and for all the descendants of Sultan Murad V as I wanted them to feel proud of the man that he was. But then my father read my manuscript and he persuaded me to publish it! So I did! After all, who does not want to please their father?!
How did the work called “THE GILDED CAGE ON THE BOSPHORUS” come about? What research have you done? Have you benefited from your family’s memories?
I absolutely loved doing the research. Being an historian, it was by far my most favourite part of the whole writing and publication process. I spent four years meticulously researching and writing ‘The Gilded Cage on the Bosphorus’. I read a number of first hand accounts, many books, journals, theses and contemporary newspaper articles. I have included these in the Select Bibliography at the end of the book in case readers want to delve deeper into the facts for themselves. I found the first hand accounts of Sultan Murad V’s Gözde, Filizten Hanım, and of Sultan Abdülhamid’s daughter, Ayşe Sultan, particularly valuable. I also sought advice and help from my father, and spoke to respected and highly knowledgeable historians and experts to try to corroborate facts and substantiate information. I only wish that I spoke fluent Turkish and was familiar with Ottoman Turkish as that would have opened up even more research material to me. However, my greatest source of inspiration, of interesting stories, and of personal memories, came from my grandparents – Şehzade Ali Vâsıb Efendi and Emine Mukbile Sultan. Such recollections cannot be found in history books or in archives. I know how lucky I am that my grandparents shared them with me, and I felt that I had to record them before they were lost forever.
Did you discover any interesting information while writing the work?
Oh, so much. I discovered so much new information that I had not known before. I learned a huge amount. I also changed my opinion on certain issues too.
What information surprised you the most?
We all know that Sultan Murad’s younger brother Sultan Abdülhamid assumed the throne following the coup against him, but what is less well known is that initially this was only intended to be a temporary measure until Murad recovered from his nervous breakdown brought on by the death of his uncle Sultan Abdülaziz. What is also largely unknown is that Sultan Murad recovered from his illness extremely quickly, but doctors were told to falsify their reports to prevent him from regaining his position as Sultan. The conservative elements feared Sultan Murad’s plans for liberal constitutional reform and Sultan Abdülhamid did not want to relinquish the absolute power he had assumed, so fate dictated that Murad V would never regain his throne and instead would languish in his ‘gilded cage’ for over twenty eight years.
What surprised me the most during my research was learning that after Sultan Murad V was deposed, most of his adult siblings wanted to see him restored to the throne. You will have to read ‘The Gilded Cage on the Bosphorus’ to find out which two sisters remained loyal to Murad throughout their lives, and which of his two brothers always regarded him as the rightful sultan. Discovering this information not only surprised me, but it made me happy to know that Sultan Murad retained the enduring love, respect and loyalty of many of his siblings.
As emphasized in your work, the isolation life of Sultan Murad V was very difficult. But did he not have any role in the famous coup? Therefore, in your work, don’t you use some harsh, emotional and anachronistic expressions against Sultan Abdulhamid, who survived many assassination attempts?
Life in such strict confinement was cruel and torturous, and must have been absolutely horrendous for Sultan Murad V and his immediate family. In the book I try to imagine the severe mental and physical effects this must have had on them all, and I hope that I have portrayed their tragic situation with the sensitivity it deserves.
As to your question, I am assuming that you are referring to the Çırağan Incident of 1878? There is very little evidence to tell us who was involved in the plan to restore Sultan Murad V to the throne. I do not use the word ‘plot’ or ‘coup’, because Sultan Murad V’s throne was usurped. As the rightful Sultan he had every right, and some might even say a duty, to attempt to escape his imprisonment and try to regain power. However from what I have read about Murad V’s reaction when confronted by Ali Suavi and his soldiers I am inclined to believe that, although he may have known of the possibility of a plan, he certainly did not know details as he froze in fear. But I do believe that two of Murad V’s brothers, who both shared his liberal views, played a critical role in the planning. I mention the episode in my book, so for my account of events you will need to get a copy!
You are correct to say that I use harsh and emotional words when I refer to Sultan Abdülhamid. However, I also use flattering and respectful expressions too. You mention the many assassination attempts made on Sultan Abdülhamid – in fact in the book I recount one such attempt made at the Yıldız Mosque and I emphasise the bravery and composure of the Sultan. I would like to add that I also describe Sultan Murad V’s failings and weaknesses, and do not try to hide them or ignore them. I think it is important to try to establish a fair and balanced picture. I have great respect and admiration for Sultan Abdülhamid but no one in this world is perfect, not even the Caliphs of Islam – only Allah Himself is. I would also like to remind you that I am a Muradiye Sultan, and my family suffered greatly on account of Sultan Abdülhamid. I have tried to be objective, but I make it quite clear where my sympathies lie and make no apologies for this. I would ask anyone reading my book to remember that I have written about my own family, and essentially for my own family, so would appreciate their understanding of this fact.
Will you continue to write such books from now on and do you plan to live in Turkey like your father Şehzade Osman Selâhaddin Efendi?
I have already begun the research for the sequel, and written the plot outline! The next book will cover the turbulent period in late Ottoman history between 1906-1909. My dream is to write a series of books that will culminate with the exile of my family from our homeland in March 1924. We all have our dreams, and this is mine.
As to living in Turkey, well that would be another dream. I am very lucky to have a house in Bodrum as I mentioned before, and I do spend my summers there every year with my children. Perhaps when my children get older and eventually leave home to make their own way in the world, I will be able to come home to İstanbul…
To read the published online interview please click on this link.
