Nefise Hatun

Nefise Melek Sultan Hatun (Ottoman Turkish: نفیسہ خاتون; c. 1363 - post 1403) was an Ottoman princess, daughter of Sultan Murad I. She was the wife of Alaeddin Ali Bey of Karaman and mother of Mehmed II of Karaman and Alaeddin Ali II of Karaman. She is known as the first politically active Ottoman princess.

Nefise Melek Hatun was born in Bursa around 1363. Her father was the Ottoman sultan Murad I, while it is unknown who her mother was.

In 1378, Nefise's brother Bayezid married Devletşah Sultan Hatun, princess of Germiniyan. During the wedding reception, Nefise's father Murad I negotiated with the representatives of Karaman, Ali Bey and Davud Bey, to give her in marriage to Alaeddin Ali (ruler of Karaman, grandson of Ali and brother of Davud). Karaman was one of the most powerful beyliks and, at the time, the main opponent of the Ottomans. The marriage was supposed to be the basis of an alliance between the two states, that were at that time adversaries.

Nefise's dowry included 100,000 gold coins, one hundred horses, ten herds of camels, nine carpets, nine chests of jewels, gold, and precious stones, and more than fifty rolls of silk, velvet, and gold fabrics from France, Syria, Egypt, and Turkey. Her dowry in case of divorce consisted of the territories of Aksehir and Aksaray, including the neighboring villages and all income. At that point, the marriage was announced in both the states during Friday prayers.

The wedding ceremony was held in Bursa, with Candarli Kara Halil as the bride's representative and Mevlana Muslihiddin as the groom's. Soon after, Nefise set out for Karaman. During the journey, the procession was attacked by Mongol raiders, who were, however, put to flight by the cavalry units escorting the princess. In Karaman, the wedding ceremony was repeated, this time in the presence of both bride and groom. Among the guests were the rulers of Saruhan, Aydin, Menteşe and Eshrefoglu. In Karaman, Nefise became known as Sultan Hatun (Lady Sultana) in reference to her birth status. By their marriage was birth at least three children, three sons.

Contrary to expectations, the marriage between Nefise and Alaeddin did not produce any lasting peace, but thanks to Nefise's intercession Alaeddin managed to obtain forgiveness several times first from Murad I and then from Bayezid I.

In 1386, while Murad was busy elsewhere, Alaeddin occupied the territories along the Ottoman-Karaman border, which were considered Ottoman protectorates. Murad reacted to this faster than expected and forced Alaeddin to retreat to a besieged Konya. For twelve days, Alaeddin sent Murad peace proposals, which were rejected. At that point, Nefise secretly left Konya with her three sons and went to her father, pleading on behalf of her husband. Nefise's embassy was successful and Alaeddin was pardoned in exchange for a formal act of submission and the cession of the territories of Beysehir.

Alaeddin rebelled a second time between 1390 and 1391, immediately after the death of Murad and the accession of his son Bayezid I. Once again, he was defeated within a few weeks and again only managed to save his life through the mediation of Nefise.