1st Series of (KSS) by the Language Academy: The Worst Kafé in Mankind’s History (Part 1)

To kick off our very first session, the first speaker, Lokman Hafiz Asary, started the sharing with a light yet intriguing topic that might pique your curiosity. He spoke about the worst kafé in mankind’s history.

Now, you might be wondering: what makes it the worst? And not just the worst, but the absolute worst in mankind’s history? What went so wrong that it earned such a title? Could it really be that terrible? Well, there’s a twist to this story, and it’s not what you expect!

Before diving into the dark story of the Kafes system, it’s essential to understand the context of the Ottoman Empire, one of the most powerful and enduring empires in history. Founded around 1299 by Osman I, the Ottoman Empire expanded over centuries to control vast territories across Southeast Europe, Western Asia, and North Africa. At its height, it was a major political, military, and cultural force, lasting until its dissolution in 1922.

The Ottoman sultans were not only rulers but also absolute monarchs with divine authority. The empire’s succession practices, however, were often tumultuous, marked by intense palace intrigues, rivalries, and violent power struggles.

The ‘kafe’ that the speaker referred to was not a café as we typically imagine but a metaphorical “cage” system used for Ottoman princes, designed to prevent internecine conflicts. This practice, however, has a grim history. The story often associated with this is known as the Night of 19 Coffins.

In 1595, following the death of Sultan Murad III, his son Mehmed III ascended the throne. Murad III’s reign had been marred by court intrigues, and upon his death, Mehmed III inherited a troubled empire.

But the real horror began shortly after his accession. Mehmed III was haunted by the brutal practice of fratricide which is the killing of potential rivals to secure the throne. When he took power, he ordered the execution of all his brothers, a common but barbaric tradition aimed at eliminating threats.

The speaker brought us back to the “Night of 19 Coffins’ which refers to the night when 19 young princes including infants were strangled to death with silk cords inside the opulent Topkapi Palace. This massacre was carried out meticulously by palace officials known as “Bostancı,” who were tasked with executing the rulers’ orders while avoiding spilling royal blood directly, which was considered a sin.

According to historian Dr. Leslie Peirce, this event was “a brutal but calculated policy that sought to prevent civil wars among princes, but at an unimaginable human cost.” The public and palace officials were reportedly both horrified and resigned to this brutal norm; an open secret that cast a dark shadow over Ottoman court life.

The scale of these murders shocked subsequent sultans. Sultan Ahmed I, who witnessed the aftermath of this night, was traumatised. As a response, he abolished the practice of fratricide and introduced the Kafes system; a more “humane” method of managing potential rival heirs.

The Kafes, meaning “cage,” was a private, enclosed space within the palace where princes, often the sons of the reigning sultan were confined. This system was intended to keep potential rivals close but under strict surveillance. The princes were isolated from the outside world, often kept in luxurious but restrictive chambers, with limited contact with the outside court.

The Kafes was more than just a physical confinement. It was a psychological trap designed to prevent rebellion but often resulted in severe inhumane conditions. Princes were kept under constant watch by palace guards and kept away from political power, yet they were also subject to boredom, isolation, and sometimes neglect.

Historians note that the method of confinement varied over time. Some princes were kept in well-furnished chambers with access to music, books, and companionship, while others endured harsh conditions and psychological torment. The system aimed to keep them alive as potential heirs, but many suffered from mental health issues, depression, or even died prematurely due to neglect.

According to historian Dr. Stanford J. Shaw, “The Kafes was a paradox, an attempt at moderation that often exacerbated the very dangers it sought to eliminate. The confinement bred suspicion, paranoia, and in some cases, madness among the princes.”

Furthermore, the system’s inhumane aspects drew criticism from contemporary observers. A European diplomat in the 17th century remarked, “The princes are kept in cages like birds, their lives a continuous imprisonment, their fates sealed from birth.”

The dark legacy of the Ottoman Kafes system reveals a complex interplay of political pragmatism and human suffering. While it aimed to secure stability and continuity, it also became a symbol of the empire’s brutal methods of maintaining power. The tragic Night of 19 Coffins and the subsequent confinement of princes serve as stark reminders of a bygone era’s harsh realities.

Stay tuned for Part 2, where we will explore more about the inhumane practices within the Kafes system and the implications for the future of the Ottoman dynasty.

Prepared by : Lokman Hafiz Asary, Language Academy, Faculty of Social Science and Humanities, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM)