Beyhan Sultan (daughter of Selim I)

In 1513, Beyhan Sultan married vizier Damat Ferhat Pasha. However, on 1 November 1524, Ferhet Pasha quelled the rebellion of Janberdi and was executed on the orders of her brother Suleiman the Magnificent.

She was alienated from her brother and refused to remarry and lived in a self exile from Istanbul in her palace at Skopje.

Beyhan Sultan's loyalty to her husband surpassed her loyalty to her family, which was a rare occasion. Ferhat was executed on the grounds of rapacious and ruthless conduct in the provinces which he was assigned. Through the intercession of Suleiman's mother Ayşe Hafsa Sultan, Ferhat had been pardoned after his first offences, but he continued to provoke the complaints from his constituents, the sultan ordered him executed.[1] After 1524, she was remarried to Mehmed Pasha, with whom she had a daughter, Esmehan Hanımsultan (sometimes she is indicated as daughter of Ferhad).[2]

The number and paternity of Beyhan's children is debated: Beyhan's only certain daughter was Esmehan (or Ismihan) Hanımsultan, but it is uncertain whether she was the daughter of the first or second marriage. Additionally, documents relating to Ferhad Pasha's execution mention his and Beyhan's children when they talk about his family's grief, but without specifying their name, number or gender.[1][2]

The question therefore remains disputed.

Beyhan Sultan died in her palace a Skopje[3][4] in 1559. Her resting place is located inside the türbe of her father Selim I in Yavuz Selim Mosque.

In the TV series Muhteşem Yüzyıl, Beyhan Sultan is portrayed by Turkish actress Pınar Çağlar Gençtürk.