CINCI HODJA

Cinci Han that sits on the arches founded as galleries onto the canal below, Cinci Bath, and 50 shops between the inn and bath were built by Cinci Hodja of Safranbolu who had been advanced up to the Anatolian Judge of the Army in 17th century.Cinci Hodja is also known by the names of “Cinci Hüseyin Efendi”, “Karabaszade Hüseyin Efendi”, or “Kazasker Hüseyin Efendi”.It is understood from a deed of trust of the foundation which he had founded for the name of his mother, Hamide Hatun, that Cinci Hodja who had got strong and prospered in the time of Sultan Ibrahim I-also known as “Lunatic Sultan Ibrahim”.He had been working as seraglio healer at the regency of Sultan Ibrahim(1640-1648), and he had become an influential hodja in Istanbul in that short period.Cinci Hodja, son of Karabas Ibrahim Efendizade Seyh Mehmet Efendi had gone to Istanbul in his youth, and joined into the alm's house of Huseyinefendizade Seyh Mehmet Efendi.He followed madrasah courses for a long time.He successed a perfect learning in the Ottoman Seraglio and relieved Sultan Ibrahim.The sultan gave him a degree of lieutenant and “sahn professorship” with a mandate.He advanced quickly in 1641-1643, and promoted to Judge of Galata from Professorship of Suleymaniye.In 1644 he become the teacher of the sultan.He married the daughter of Kazasker Kara Celebizade Mahmut Efendi.In 1644, he acquired the Anatolian Judge of Army.Cinci Hodja to whom Galata District had been given as benefice, and who had become Anatolian Judge of Army four times with short intervals gained more and more efficiency.He was one of those few dominant people in the palace intriques and in the policy of Ottoman at home and abroad in the time of Sultan Ibrahim I.Cinci Hodja fell from grace in 1647, and was exiled to Izmit.Though he was forgiven and given permission to return to Istanbul, he was arrested at the Door of Pasha as Sultan Ibrahim I had been dethroned.The registries af his all farms and estates were abolished.The same year he was executed and his life ended.
About the life and deeds of Cinci Hodja, who had lived in one of the most turbulent periods of Ottoman History, there has been so many speculations.The events in the time of his life, his being one of the most important people in Ottoman Regency in a very short time, and also his peculiar character caused him to be the special sphere of interest of historians, political scientists, men of letters and movie makers, and it has been continuing to be so.

CINCI HODJA IN TURKISH LITERATURE

Cinci Hodja In Ottoman Palaces

The Ottoman Rasputin Cinci Hodja

The Ottoman Rasputin Cinci Hodja

CINCI HODJA IN TURKISH MOVIE

Source	: T.R. Culture and Tourism Ministry Screen Rights and Cinema General Managership