Beshir Agha

Beshir Agha was an Ottoman eunuch.^[1]

Agha was born in Ethiopia and was brought to Ottoman Empire as a slave.^[2] He held various positions before his 1713 exile to Cyprus for unknown reasons. Despite this, he soon protected the Prophet's Mosque in Medina as one of the numerous eunuchs.^[3] Around age 60, he returned to Istanbul and was appointed Chief Harem Eunuch under Sultan Ahmed III in 1716.^[3]

Engaging in literary pursuits and politics, Agha deposed the previous grand vizier, promoting Nevşehirli Damat Ibrahim Pasha in his place.^[3]

Although Ahmed III was overthrown in 1730, Agha continued as chief eunuch under Sultan Mahmud I, accruing significant authority.^[3] As protector of the Holy Places, he influenced the Ottoman interpretation of Sunni Islam, particularly the Hanafi legal rite.^[3] At times, his position was second only to the sultan and grand vizier.^[3]

By his 1746 death, Agha, in his 90s, had become one of the wealthiest, most powerful, and longest-lived chief harem eunuchs in Ottoman history.^[3]

• Hathaway, Jane (2005). Beshir Agha: Chief Eunuch of the Ottoman Imperial Harem Investigators