A Book That Shook Public Debate
In 2016, Filiz Bingölçe published Osmanlı’da Oğlancılık (Pederasty in the Ottoman Empire), a book that sparked outrage, censorship, and legal battles in Türkiye. The book explored male-male relationships, pederasty, and sexuality in Ottoman society, using archival sources, poetry, and historical documents.
By 2018, the book was banned, following a lawsuit by Akit, a conservative newspaper, which accused the author of defaming Ottoman history. However, after a high-profile court case, the book was legally cleared, as the court ruled that all claims were based on authentic Ottoman records.
📖 Read More: (Ekşi Sözlük – Osmanlı’da Oğlancılık)
Historical Context – Sexuality in the Ottoman Empire
Modern perspectives on sexuality and relationships do not always align with historical realities. In the Ottoman Empire, sexual norms were shaped by:
✔️ Sufi mysticism, which often referenced homoerotic themes.
✔️ Elite court culture, where young male companions (sakı, oğlan, köçek) were common in poetry and literature.
✔️ Hamam (public bathhouse) culture, which played a role in Ottoman social and sexual interactions.
📖 Read More: (Homosexuality in the Islamic World – Leiden University)
Key Literary and Historical Sources on Ottoman Sexuality
The Ottoman Empire produced numerous literary and historical texts that discussed sexuality, relationships, and pederasty—often in ways that contrast with modern moral perspectives. Some of the most notable works include:
1. Mehmed Gazali’s Erotic Poetry (16th Century)
Mehmed Gazali, a 16th-century Ottoman poet, wrote extensively about male companionship and homoerotic themes. In one of his poems, he states:
“In this land, you cannot go out with a woman, you cannot walk freely, nor enjoy life in public… But with a boy? You can go wherever you like, flirt, enjoy yourself, and no one will say a word.”
This verse, alongside many others, reflects how male-male relationships were sometimes tolerated in elite circles.
📖 Read More: (Dafiü’l Gumüm, Rafiü’l Humüm – Ottoman Erotic Poetry)
2. Bahname – The Sultan’s Erotic Manuals
During the reign of Sultan Yavuz Selim, the Ottoman scholar Kemalpaşazade was commissioned to write a sexual manual, known as a bahname. These texts covered topics ranging from reproductive health to sexual techniques and included discussions on pederasty, intimacy, and physical pleasure.
📖 Read More: (TDV İslam Ansiklopedisi – Bahname)
3. Rücûʿu’ş-şeyḫ ilâ ṣıbâh fi’l-ḳuvveti ʿale’l-bâh
A famous Ottoman erotic manuscript, written by Ahmet Bin Sulaiman Ibn Kamal Pasha, explored:
✔️ The sexual habits of different regions in the empire.
✔️ The preferences of men in Ottoman society.
✔️ Discussions on sexual stamina and virility.
This book, commissioned by Ottoman elites, was later translated into Turkish and remains one of the most explicit Ottoman-era texts on sexuality.
📖 Read More: (Rücûʿu’ş-şeyḫ ilâ ṣıbâh – Ottoman Erotic Manuscript)
4. Tuhfet ül-Mülk (1794-1795) – Erotic Miniatures
One of the most controversial Ottoman-era manuscripts, Tuhfet ül-Mülk, includes:
- Erotic illustrations and miniatures depicting various sexual scenes.
- A graphic depiction of sexual customs in the Ottoman court.
- References to köçeks (dancing boys) and sakis (young male servants in taverns).
In 2021, a rare copy of this manuscript was sold at Sotheby’s auction house, reigniting debate on Ottoman sexuality and artistic expression.
📖 Read More: (Ottoman Erotic Miniatures at Sotheby’s – BBC Türkçe)
The 2018 Trial – The Book That Won in Court
Following the publication of Osmanlı’da Oğlancılık in 2016, conservative groups in Türkiye reacted with outrage, claiming that the book was an attack on Ottoman heritage and Islamic values. The controversy reached its peak when Akit, a right-wing Islamist newspaper, filed a lawsuit against the book’s author, Filiz Bingölçe, accusing her of slandering Ottoman history.
1. The Accusations
- Akit claimed that the book was offensive, misleading, and immoral.
- The lawsuit argued that the book promoted “degenerate Western narratives” about Ottoman history.
- They alleged that the content was “fabricated” and lacked historical legitimacy.
2. The Court’s Verdict
After a two-year legal battle, the Turkish court ruled in favor of the book, stating that:
✔️ All claims in the book were backed by authentic Ottoman sources.
✔️ The book did not promote any illegal or immoral content.
✔️ Academic research and historical analysis should not be subject to censorship.
As a result, the court not only cleared the book of all charges but also ordered Akit to pay damages for wrongful defamation.
📖 Read More: (Osmanlı’da Oğlancılık – Ekşi Sözlük Discussion)
Why This Topic Remains Controversial Today
Despite the legal victory, discussions on Ottoman sexuality, pederasty, and erotic literature remain highly sensitive in Türkiye. Several factors contribute to this ongoing debate:
1. The Rise of Nationalism and Ottoman Nostalgia
- In recent years, Türkiye has seen a resurgence of neo-Ottomanism, where historical narratives are sanitized to align with modern conservative values.
- Academic discussions on taboo topics in Ottoman history are often met with backlash.
2. Censorship and Media Control
- Books, documentaries, and academic research on controversial aspects of Ottoman history often face government scrutiny and censorship.
- The removal of historical texts from bookstores and archives limits public access to Ottoman erotic literature.
3. The Clash Between Academia and Conservatism
- While historians argue for academic freedom, conservative groups view these discussions as an attack on Turkish identity and Islamic morality.
- The 2018 trial set a precedent, but similar cases of censorship continue today.
📖 Read More: (Homosexuality in the Islamic World – Leiden University)
Conclusion – Uncovering Forgotten Histories
The controversy over Osmanlı’da Oğlancılık highlights the ongoing tension between historical research and modern cultural taboos. The 2018 court ruling, which cleared the book of all charges, set a precedent for academic freedom, but it also exposed the challenges of discussing sensitive aspects of Ottoman history in Türkiye.
Key Takeaways:
✔️ Ottoman-era literature and historical records openly discussed sexuality, companionship, and pederasty.
✔️ The book’s legal victory reinforced the importance of historical accuracy and academic freedom.
✔️ Censorship and nationalism continue to shape public discussions about Ottoman history.
📖 Final Thought: How much of history is being rewritten to fit modern sensibilities?
💬 What do you think? Should historical research be protected from censorship, even when it challenges societal norms?
References & Further Reading
Primary Historical Sources
- Mehmed Gazali – Dafiü’l Gumüm, Rafiü’l Humüm
- Bahname – TDV İslam Ansiklopedisi
- Rücûʿu’ş-şeyḫ ilâ ṣıbâh fi’l-ḳuvveti ʿale’l-bâh – Ottoman Erotic Manuscript
- Tuhfet ül-Mülk – Ottoman Erotic Miniatures (Sotheby’s Auction)
Academic Studies on Ottoman Sexuality
- Homosexuality in the Islamic World – Leiden University
- Sexuality & Gender in the Ottoman Empire – Al Muqaddimah
- Evliya Çelebi & Ottoman Male Companionship – Ekşi Şeyler
The 2018 Court Case & Media Coverage
- Osmanlı’da Oğlancılık – Medium Analysis
- Ekşi Sözlük – Legal Case Against Osmanlı’da Oğlancılık
- Akit Newspaper Loses Defamation Case