Haseki sultan

Haseki Sultan (Ottoman Turkish: خاصکى سلطان, Ḫāṣekī Sulṭān; Turkish pronunciation: [haseˈci suɫˈtaːn]) was the title used for the chief consort of an Ottoman sultan. In later years, the meaning of the title changed to "imperial consort".^[1] Hurrem Sultan, principal consort and legal wife of Suleiman the Magnificent, was the first holder of this title.^[2] The title lost its exclusivity under Ibrahim I, who bestowed it upon eight women simultaneously. The title haseki sultan was used until the 17th century. After that, kadınefendi became the highest ranking title for imperial consorts, although this title was not as prestigious as haseki sultan.