Thaindian News

By Ranjana Narayan
Istanbul, June 2 (IANS) It is a piece of history that never fails to excite Indian tourists in Istanbul - a gold throne encrusted with emeralds and rubies that Persian invader Nadir Shah carted away from India during Mughal rule in 1747 and presented to the Ottoman ruler of Turkey.

The throne, among numerous other priceless antiquities, is housed in the Topkapi Palace, which was the official and primary residence in Istanbul of the Ottoman Sultans for 400 years from 1465 to 1856.

The throne was presented by Nadir Shah to Ottoman king Mahmud I (1730-1754).

The Topkapi dagger is another interesting piece of priceless antiquity. The dagger’s handle is encrusted with huge emeralds and its sheath is made of gold studded with diamonds. It was intended as a present for Nadir Shah by the Ottoman rulers. However, when it was being sent to Iran, news came of Nadir Shah being killed. The dagger was then returned to the Ottoman empire.

The Topkapi dagger was the subject of a Hollywood film, titled “Topkapi” starring Peter Ustinov. The heist film, made in 1964, was about plans to steal the dagger.

The treasury also houses the world’s third largest diamond, an 86-carat gem, called the Spoonmaker’s diamond.

Besides, the museum houses religious relics, including the wooden stick used by Prophet Mohammed, his beard, a bowl used by him and an imprint of his feet. The relics were brought to Topkapi Palace by the Ottomans in the 16th century.

The amulet of St.John the Baptist, a staff used by Moses, a silver case and mantle of Prophet Mohammed and other interesting religious relics can also be found in the museum. The Quran is continuously read by a cleric in this section of the museum.

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Iznik tiles

The Ottoman rulers decorated much of the walls of Topkapi Palace with Iznik tiles, which were made of quartz and beautifully painted with blue coloured designs.

Around 80 percent of the tile is made of quartz and it was baked in wooden kilns. Semiprecious stones were ground and used to give it the blue colour with flowers, leaves and trees used as motifs.

The ancient art of pottery making has been kept alive in some parts of Turkey, and some of the choice decorated ceramic ware comes from Cappadocia in central Turkey.

Potters use the kickwheel, an ancient technique that began in the region more than 3,000 years ago. “The kickwheel is a technique used by the Egyptians,” Abdullah, the owner of Omurlu Ceramic, a ceramic workshop based in Avanos in Nevsehir, Cappadocia, told this visiting IANS correspondent.

Abdullah’s workshop houses beautiful samples of Turkish ceramic pottery. It is his family profession, six generations old, that he is keeping alive.

They have tried to revive the art of Iznik tile-making but do not use the 80 percent quartz in tiles as was originally used. “It becomes too expensive and quartz is very rough on the hands, it causes cuts and bruises,” says Abdullah.

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Drowning out sound

The Ottoman rulers had taps placed on the two sides outside their main conference rooms. Whenever they were in secret talks with dignitaries and ministers and did not want their speech to be overheard, the taps would be turned on. The gurgling water would drown or muffle the speech, tour guide Derya Kutuckcu told IANS.

The sound of water falling was also used as a soothing effect. This was in the circumcision room of the Topkapi Palace, where young princes were brought after surgery.

The room, beautifully decorated with Iznik tiles, had couches for the princes to rest on and the taps were turned on to soothe them. The room also overlooks the Bosphorus river.

(Ranjana Narayan can be contacted at ranjana.n@ians.in)