TRENDEFRAtlas of the Sultans · Glossary
Term · Palace and dynasty
Also known as: queen mother
The title given to the mother of the reigning sultan.
The first to use the title valide sultan was Nurbanu Sultan, mother of Murad III. The valide sultans headed the harem organisation; in the 17th century in particular, when sultans came to the throne very young, they also became influential in government. The years when Kösem Sultan and Turhan Sultan were involved in government at the same time are the best-known example.
Source: TDV Encyclopedia of Islam, article “VÂLİDE SULTAN” (in Turkish); text condensed for the atlas.