No, there was never a female sultan in the Ottoman Empire. The Ottoman Empire was a patriarchal society, and the throne was passed down through male lineage. While women held significant influence and power within the empire, particularly during the "Sultanate of Women" (1534-1683), they were never formally recognized as sultans.
The "Sultanate of Women" is a term used to describe a period when powerful women like Hürrem Sultan, Kosem Sultan, and Turhan Hatice Sultan exerted considerable influence over the empire. They held the titles of Haseki Sultan (chief consort), Valide Sultan (mother of the sultan), or Grand Valide Sultan (grandmother of the sultan). They used their positions to influence political decisions and shape the empire's trajectory. However, their power was derived from their relationships to male sultans, not from their own right to rule.
The Ottoman legal system, based on Hanafi Islamic law, prohibited women from becoming sultans. This legal framework prevented female succession to the throne.
While the Ottoman Empire never had a female sultan, the influential roles of women in shaping the empire's history are undeniable. Their power, while limited by the law, shaped the political landscape and left a lasting mark on the Ottoman legacy.
