3-077-685 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Broussa, in Asia Minor, the ancient Turkish capital: Tomb of Ghazi Osman, the first Sultan, 1890. 'The tombs of the early Sultans are also marvels of rich tracery and imposing magnificence, draped on top in the richest Cashmere shawls. Those of the first Sultan, Ghazi Osman, and of the second, his son Orkhan, are among the finest, in which the richness of the arabesques surpasses description. Splendidly illuminated copies of the Koran are deposited in a box at the side of each tomb. The will of the founder of the Osmanli Empire, Ghazi Osman, who is buried here, gives this catalogue of his worldly goods, as recorded by the Turkish historian: "He left neither gold nor silver; only a spoon, a saltcellar, an embroidered caftan (or cloak) and a new turban, some flags of red muslin, a stable full of excellent horses, several yoke of oxen for the labour of the field, and choice flocks of sheep"...His son Orkhan, who was the first successor, was a man of much the same stamp, and it was he who established the first medresseh, or college, in the Ottoman Empire, as well as charitable institutions, and villages for the benefit of refugees, existing to the present day'. From "Illustrated London News", 1890.