Mezidemestan Kadın (Ottoman Turkish: مزیدمستان قادین, "merry woman", also Mezide Kadın; born Kadriye Kamile Merve Mikanba; 3 March 1869 – 21 January 1909) was the sixth consort of Sultan Abdul Hamid II of the Ottoman Empire.
Early life
Mezidemestan Kadın was born in 1869.[1] Born as Kadriye Kamile Merve Mikanba,[2] she was a member of Abkhazian noble family Mikanba. Her father was Kaymat Bey Mikanba.[2] She had been brought to Istanbul when she was young, where she was entrusted to the entourage of Sultan Murad V, Abdülhamid II's older half-brother. Here her name according to the custom of the Ottoman court was changed to Mezidemestan. She was known for her extreme shyness. She was aunt of Emine Nazikeda Hanım, future consort of Sultan Mehmed VI, Abdülhamid II's younger half-brother.[3]
Marriage
Mezidimestan married Abdul Hamid on 2 February 1885 at the Yıldız Palace.[4] She was given the title of "Fifth Kadın". On 19 December 1885, after ten months of the wedding, she gave birth to her only son, Şehzade Mehmed Burhaneddin.[5] Mehmed Burhaneddin was the most favourite son of Abdul Hamid. As the mother of the sultan's favourite son she was very influential but never abused her position; instead, she was known for helping everyone and even her step-children loved her.[6]
In 1895, she was elevated to the title of "Fourth Kadın",[5] and in 1901, she was elevated to the title of "Third Kadın". Abdul Hamid had presented her a villa located on the grounds of Yıldız Palace.[7]
Death
Mezidimestan Kadın died of stomach cancer in Yıldız Palace,[3] on 21 January 1909, aged 39. She was buried in Yahya Efendi Cemetery, Istanbul.[5]
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Sakaoğlu, Necdet (2008). Bu Mülkün Kadın Sultanları: Vâlide Sultanlar, Hâtunlar, Hasekiler, Kandınefendiler, Sultanefendiler. Oğlak Yayıncılık. ISBN978-6-051-71079-2.
Uluçay, M. Çağatay (2011). Padişahların kadınları ve kızları. Ötüken. ISBN978-975-437-840-5.