Book Description

Set against the majestic backdrop of Imperial Istanbul in the aftermath of the First World War, A Farewell To Imperial Istanbul weaves a captivating tale of family, duty and the indomitable human spirit.

İstanbul 1922. As the Ottoman Empire crumbles in the wake of the Great War, the fate of the Imperial capital and the House of Osman hang in the balance.

Emboldened by victory in the Turkish War of Independence, the Turkish Nationalist Government abolishes the Ottoman Sultanate, bringing an end to over six centuries of Ottoman dynastic rule. Although the Ottoman Caliphate endures for now, Istanbul is stripped of its Imperial mantle and mourns its lost glory. Amid this tumultuous period, Prince Nihad navigates the shifting political landscape with deep concern for his nation and the fate of the Imperial family. Meanwhile, his son, Prince Vâsıb, envisions a peaceful future following the Treaty of Lausanne and yearns to see his city liberated from foreign occupation.

As the new Republic of Turkey emerges from the ashes of the once-mighty Ottoman Empire, Istanbul and the Imperial family confront a pivotal moment in history, their destinies entwined with the perilous currents of the Bosphorus that separate East and West and threaten to engulf the city’s Imperial past, members of the dynasty face challenges that test their resilience and unity as they chart a new and uncertain course.

Ayşe Osmanoğlu takes us on a journey back in time to witness the final days of Imperial Istanbul, as Nihad and Prince Vâsıb grapple with personal aspirations, family loyalties and the legacy of an Empire in transition.

Ayşe Osmanoğlu was born and raised in England. She is a member of the Ottoman Imperial family, descended from Sultan Murad V through her grandfather and Sultan Mehmed V (Mehmed Reşad) through her grandmother. After reading History and Politics at the University of Exeter, she obtained an M.A. in Turkish Studies from SOAS, University of London, where she specialised in Ottoman History. Her research and writing concentrate on the late Ottoman period, exploring narratives embedded in her imperial heritage. A Farewell To Imperial Istanbul commemorates the centenary of the Ottoman family’s exile.

For further information about Ayşe Osmanoğlu or to learn more about the Ottoman Dynasty, Sultan Murad V, or the other members of the Ottoman Imperial family featured in her books, visit her website: https://ayseosmanoglu.com