In consequence , most wives of several Ottoman Sultans were ethnic Circassians converted to Islam , e.g. Valide Sultans ( Empress mothers ) , including Perestü Valide Sultan , Pertevniyal Valide Sultan , Şevkefza Valide Sultan , Tirimüjgan Valide Sultan , Nükhetseza Başhanımefendi , other important Hatuns ( Ladies ) and Sultans like Şemsiruhsar Hatun and Saçbağlı Sultan , Haseki sultans ( chief consorts ) such as Mahidevran Haseki Sultan , Hümaşah Haseki Sultan , Hatice Muazzez Haseki Sultan , and Ayşe Haseki Sultan besides numerous Başkadınefendis ( most senior consorts ) , including Bedrifelek I , Bidar II , Kamures I , and Servetseza I as well as Kadınefendis ( senior consorts ) such as Bezmara VI , Düzdidil III , Hayranıdil II , Meyliservet IV , Mihrengiz II , Neşerek III , Nurefsun II , Reftaridil II , Şayan III , amongst many others , or İkbals ( honoured lady consorts ) , most notable of them being Cevherriz II , Ceylanyar II , Dilfirib I , Nalanıdil III , and Nergis IV in addition to Gözdes ( favourite lady consorts ) , including Dürdane I , Hüsnicenan III , Safderun IV , amongst others . The " golden age " of the Circassian beauty may be considered to be between the 1770s , when the Russian Empire seized the Crimean Khanate and cut off their slave trade in Eastern European women , which increased the demand for Circassian women in Near Eastern harems ; and the 1860s , when the Russians destroyed Circassia itself
destroyed Circassia itself
Circassian genocide
Circassian beauties