Gülbahar Hatun
Concubine of Bayezid II and mother of Selim I
About Gülbahar Hatun
Lived 1450 – 1505 (aged 54–55). Gülbahar Hatun was a Turkish.
Gülbahar Hatun or Ayşe Gülbahar Hatun (; 1453 – 1505),
Names One of the oldest references Cenabî History gives the name of Selim's mother as Ayşe Hatun. According to Sicill-i Osmanî her name is Gülbahar Hatun, while Alderson gives her name Ayşe Hatun, as well. This is the most widely accepted view. In the history of Cenâbî, Selim's mother is described as 'the daughter of a Turkmen bey'. According to another claim, she may have been of concubine origin, as her father’s name is recorded as “Abdüssamed” in the sources. Some historians suggest she was a Pontic Greek from the village of Vayvara (south of the Sumela Monastery). Life She entered Bayezid's harem around 1469 at Amasya. When Bayezid was still a şehzade and the governor of Amasya sanjak when she gave birth to Selim I in 1470. When Mehmed the Conqueror died in 1481, Bayezid moved to Constantinople, the capital of the Ottoman Empire, along with his family to ascend the throne.
According to Turkish tradition, all princes were expected to work as provincial governors (Sanjak-bey) as a part of their training. Mothers of princes were responsible for the proper behaviour of their sons in their provincial posts. When Selim was sent to Trabzon sanjak, Gülbahar accompanied him.
However, she was not recognized as a Valide Hatun because she died in 1505 before Selim's accession to the throne. Her tomb is located in Gülbahar Hatun Mosque, Trabzon. It was built in 1514 in honour of his mother and was restored in 1885.
Issue By Bayezid II, Gülbahar had a son:
Selim I (10 October 1470 – 22 September 1520). He became sultan after dethroning his father and defeating his half-brothers Ahmed and Korkut.
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Important facts
Family & relationships
People in Gülbahar Hatun's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Gülbahar Hatun's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Gülbahar Hatun?
Concubine of Bayezid II and mother of Selim I
When was Gülbahar Hatun born?
Gülbahar Hatun was born in 1450 in Yazlık.
When did Gülbahar Hatun die?
Gülbahar Hatun died in 1505 in Trabzon.
What nationality was Gülbahar Hatun?
Gülbahar Hatun was Turkish.
Sources & further reading
· DBpedia: Gülbahar Hatun (mother of Selim I)
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Gülbahar Hatun. https://biography.guide/gulbahar-hatun-1450/
MLA: "Gülbahar Hatun." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/gulbahar-hatun-1450/.
Chicago: "Gülbahar Hatun." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/gulbahar-hatun-1450/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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