Zülüflü Baltacılar (Teberdaran-I Hassa)

Ilber Ortaylı

 

Zülüflü Baltacılar is an important part of Enderun organization. Axemen are palace servants and members of the gatekeepers, who are used in palace services and in the supply of wood for the Harem. It is rumored that they were called by this name because they cut down trees that would hinder the march of the soldiers by advancing in front of the army during the campaign. Its wards are located on the right side of Mehterhane, between the Harem and Has Ahur. 

 

The Zülüflü Baltacılar Ward, which is entered through the door on the right side of the Car Gate of the Harem, is one of the oldest buildings of the palace. "Zıll-ı Yezdân (Shadow of God) Han Murad-ı cihan Şah-ı sâhibkırân u kutb-ı zamân (The king of the rulers, the pole of time) Fatih-i Mülket-i taht-ı Tabriz", located on the front of the wards built during the reign of Fatih (Conqueror of homelands, holder of the Tabriz throne) In the thirty-line inscription, which begins as "Malik-i Mulk-i Shirvan u Revan (Owner of Shirvan and Revan)", Sultan III in 1587. It is mentioned that the Zülüflü Baltacılar Ward was repaired by Murad Han.

 

After entering through the Zülüflü Baltacılar  (Teberdaran-I Hassa) Gate, due to the inclination, the stairs descend to the Zülüflü Baltacılar Courtyard. This place resembles a small street. One side of the courtyard belongs to the wards, and the other side belongs to service structures such as baths, fountains and masjids. In the place that can be reached by a ladder, which can be considered as the second floor, there are rooms where the unlikely axe-man and high-ranking people stay, which dominate the whole ward. 

 

The bird cage picture on the wall of one of these rooms represents protection, which is in line with the duties of the zülüflı ax makers. One of the most beautiful parts of the palace is the Zülüflü Baltacılar Ward. Tile-covered walls and wooden parts decorated with fine pencil work are worth seeing. The stick room was a place where zuluflu ax-makers rested. 

 

The main ward, which was used as a dormitory, consisted of two floors, and novices lived on the lower floor, and experienced zülüflı axmen on the upper floor. This place, which has been in existence since the 15th century, was built by Sultan II. During the reign of Murad Khan in 1587, it was almost brought to its present form by the Architect Davud Ağa, and it was enlarged. The mihrab of the mosque in the street is covered with colorful Iznik tiles. The first major change in the ward after 1587 was II. Osman's order.

 

Zülüflü axmen, who were always the protectors of the sultan, were chosen from among the devshirme, and recently among the children brought from the mountain villages of Kastamonu. Special care Ottoman History was taken to ensure that the selected ones were in compliance with the criteria applied in the spolia. The number of people staying in the Zülüflü Baltacılar Ward was around 120-200 soldiers; In the beginning, they were attached to the aghas, then to the aghas of Silahdar after the 18th century. 

 

The greatest chief was the axemen kethüda; followed by the second chief axeman, the divanhâneci and the chief cellar axeman. The collars of the dark blue dresses of the zülüflü axmen, called dolama, were too high to see both sides. This would have prevented them from seeing the surroundings while they were working in the Harem. Two bangs hung from both sides of their heads; That's why they are called zülüflü.

 

Zülüflı ax makers were involved in many duties such as transporting wood to the Harem, bringing the throne to Bâbü's bliss when necessary, guarding and maintaining the Divanhâne. Zülüflı axmen used to recite the Qur'an under the starboard in order to be victorious during the campaign. Baltacı Mehmed Pasha, the most important name of the Prut War, and Deli Hüseyin Pasha, who was the commander during the siege of Crete, are among the historical figures of this hearth.