TRENDEFRAtlas of the Sultans · Glossary
Term · Sovereignty and central government
Also known as: accession to the throne
From the Arabic word for “sitting”: a new ruler's accession to the throne and the ceremonies attached to it.
For the Ottomans, cülus meant a prince's accession and the oath of allegiance sworn to him by the dignitaries of state. The new sultan distributed an accession bonus to the household troops; over time this payment became an indispensable right for the Janissaries, and when it was delayed it led to revolts.
Source: TDV Encyclopedia of Islam, article “CÜLÛS” (in Turkish); text condensed for the atlas.