He defeated the war-like Rajputs, but gave them rank and married their princesses, who were permitted to conduct Hindu rites in the harem.

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He could have as many concubines as he could support - some had up to 300, although they were not all in the Harem at the same time.

BBC: Uncover the secrets of Topkapi Palace

And the sultan himself was, in theory, a slave as well, because he was the son, most often, of his father, plus a woman out of the harem who was, in theory, a slave.

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In reality, these were the imperial family quarters, and every detail of Harem life was governed by tradition, obligation and ceremony.

BBC: Uncover the secrets of Topkapi Palace