Tarhan Sultan

Tarhan is the precious daughter of a Slav family. Blonde and etherial,
she is as extraordinarily beautiful as she is talented. She has grown up in
the harem and educated in the fine arts. She writes tuneful poems which she
sings like a lark. Sultan Ibrahim, the Lord of the harem as well as the
entirety of the Ottoman world, is worried. Although only in his twenties and
intimate with a number of wives and concubines, he has no issue, no heir
apparent to ensure the next generation of the dynasty. Worse than that, he
has yet to find a woman whose love can sustain him and with whom he can share
his throne. One magical, unforgettable day he notices the delightful Tarhan.
The young Sultan loses himself in her sky-blue eyes. It is love at first
sight. They walk together along perfumed garden paths with dewy spring
flowers that glitter in the warm sunlight like jewels. Tarhan sings softly so
that only he can hear her. Ibrahim is joyful. His heart is telling him that
she is the one he has been looking for. They’re exchanging glances full of
love, but the Sultan is now fearful that he would have to lose her if she
cannot give him a son. One year has passed, and Istanbul rings with exultant
news: Tarhan Sultana has become a mother at the age of fifteen! The empire
now has an heir, and his name is Mehmed. But soon enough the Royal household
meets with tragedy. First Ibrahim dies and then his mother Kösem. Tarhan,
left alone with her young son, lives up to her promise. She takes over the
Ottoman Empire and rules it with great success until Mehmed comes of age.