"When they walked, the executioners who made the people tremble, and the burly ones who killed the people in their hands out of fear, with their eyes filled with blood, merciless and knowing where it would hurt the most, became those who take lives.
The word 'cellat' comes from Arabic and is derived from the word 'Celd,' which means tormenting with a whip. The executioners were trained in a special executioner corps under the Bostancı Corps, starting from the 15th century when the Ottoman Empire began to rise. Initially selected from Croats, later Ottoman executioners were mostly chosen from the Roma.
Executioners carried out the executions of prisoners, bandits, political criminals, those who betrayed the state, thieves, in short, most criminals, with the decree of the Sultan. They were also used to interrogate and punish prisoners and criminals. For other prisoners, the method was beheading, while for statesmen, viziers, and princes, it was by strangulation, as shedding sacred blood was not allowed in the Ottoman Empire. This belief is also found among the Mongols in Central Asia, which is believed to have its roots in the Ottoman Empire's Central Asian heritage.
Balıkhane Palace
The most well-known place regarding executioners is Balıkhane Palace. Since the 16th century, it was the place where political crimes were held. The prisoners here were thrown into dungeons and waited for a decision for three days. This was to prevent the Sultan from making a hasty decision to execute. Through the Imperial Council, also known as Divan-ı Hümayun, a decision would be made to prevent unjust execution orders.
Elixir of Fate
After three days, the door of the prison where the prisoners were held was opened, and they were offered a drink. If the drink was white, it meant that the execution was canceled, and they were pardoned, to be sent into exile. If the drink was red, it signaled that the executioner who brought the cup would take the life of the prisoner in the next stage. This drink was called the 'elixir of fate.'
The prisoners in Balıkhane Palace were brought to a fountain known as the 'Executioner's Fountain.' Their heads were severed with a sword or an axe, and then displayed for exhibition. After completing their task, the executioners washed their bloody swords and axes in this fountain, which is why it came to be known as the 'Executioner's Fountain.'
Methods of Execution
Executioners applied various methods of execution depending on the rank. Janissaries were killed with a special executioner's sword, and after a Janissary was killed, a cannon shot was fired. Statesmen, viziers, and princes were strangled, while ordinary criminals had their heads cut off. Princes were usually strangled with a bowstring. Among the executioners, there were ranks and grades. The execution of princes and important statesmen was carried out by the chief executioner known as Bostancıbaşı.
The Passage Everyone Feared to Cross
Babusselam in the palace was the most feared passage in the Ottoman Empire, known as the 'Passage Between the Doors.' This passage in the palace led to dark corridors, and there were passages leading to the chambers of terrifying executioners. When statesmen and viziers passed through this passage, they did so with constant prayers and great unease. Because an unexpected death warrant could be issued, encountering a fearsome executioner in this terrifying corridor meant the end of one's life.
Executioners Only Took Orders from the Sultan
Executioners were special individuals who were not liked by the public. They only took orders from the Sultan and obeyed only him. Even the Grand Vizier couldn't give orders to the Chief Executioner. Additionally, executioners also served as the personal guards of the Sultan. The notorious severity of the Ottoman Executioners and their appearance instilled fear in everyone, making them the most effective takers of lives and implementers of torture techniques in the Ottoman Empire. They were not approached by anyone, and they were usually chosen from among the deaf and mute. The reason was whether the executioner would be affected by the final cries of the person they were going to execute. One of the most famous executioner incidents is the order of the 3rd Mehmed, who in one night had 19 princes, the brothers of Fatih Sultan Mehmet, strangled by mute executioners due to the decree stating that it was necessary, which is mentioned in many history books.
Executioners not only took lives, but they were also skilled torture machines.
Unbelievable Torture Techniques of Executioners
The torture techniques of executioners were also famous, much like themselves. Especially the 'Cengel Lalesi,' a giant hook, was used for public display, where a prisoner, whose death was thought to be delayed, would be hung on it without harming their internal organs, and their slow death would be observed. The prisoner would hang there for days until they decomposed, and after their body turned purple and shriveled like a tulip, this instrument was named the 'Cengel Lalesi.'
Another technique was the 'Yağlı Kazık' (oiled stake). For a prisoner whose long and painful death was desired, a special technique was used to place them on an oiled stake in such a way that their internal organs wouldn't be harmed, and their death would be made painful. If the prisoner happened to die quickly, the punishment for the executioner who conducted the oiled stake execution was death.
Additionally, in the Ottoman Empire, captured thieves were displayed in public for three days, and yogurt was thrown at their faces by the public.
The Most Famous Executioner of the Ottoman Empire: Sultan Killer Kara Ali
One of the most famous executioners in Ottoman history is Kara Ali. He took the lives of many Grand Viziers, known for his terrifying appearance. With swords and knives on his back and waist, he had a frightening look, and he was an executioner who did his job flawlessly and with great cold-bloodedness. He is known for not only taking the lives of many statesmen and Grand Viziers but also for killing Sultan Ä°brahim. Kara Ali is said to have shed tears and lost his composure while killing Sultan Ä°brahim, contrary to his usual cold-blooded demeanor.
Executioner's Market
The belongings of the person they executed, as well as the corpse itself, were considered the property of the executioner. They could either sell the belongings or even sell the corpse to the family of the deceased. These acquired items were sold at a place known as the 'Executioner's Auction.' Of course, shopping from these places, considered unlucky, was not popular among the people of that time. Additionally, the executioners, especially Kara Ali, known for his intimidating appearance, were extensively described in Evliya Çelebi's travelogue. It is mentioned in many travelogues that executioners concealed their faces with a mask that had openings for their eyes.
The Fate of Executioners
Executioners were individuals who took lives and were ruthless throughout their lives. They roamed among the people with their swords, axes, and torture tools, instilling fear and dread. The public feared them, despised them, but also respected them.
Post a Comment