The Ottoman court harem?ithin the Topkap覺 Palace (1465??853) and later the Dolmabah癟e Palace (1853??909) in Istanbul?as under the administration of the eunuchs.

These were of two categories: Black Eunuchs and White Eunuchs. Black Eunuchs were Africans who served the concubines and officials in the Harem together with chamber maidens of low rank. The White Eunuchs were Europeans from the Balkans. They served the recruits at the Palace School and were from 1582 prohibited from entering the Harem.