SECTION XVII.
Of the Medresehs or Colleges.
The first college founded at Constantinople after its conquest by Sultán Mohammed was that of Ayá Sofía; the next was the foundation of the eight colleges on the right and left, that is, on the north and south of Sultán Mohammed’s mosque; these eight colleges may be compared to eight regions of Paradise. The Sultán also founded a school for the reading of the Korán on a spot adjoining the college, and on the east a hospital for the poor. This hospital is a model for all such foundations. On the north and south of the eight colleges are the cells of the students (sokhté), three hundred and sixty-six in number, each inhabited by three or four students, who receive their provisions and candles from the trust (wakf). There is also a conservatory (dár-uz-ziáfat), and a kitchen lighted by seventy cupolas, which may be compared to the kitchen of Kaikáús, where the poor are fed twice a day. Near this refectory there is a cárávanseráï, and a large stable capable of holding three thousand horses and mules.
The medreseh of Sultán Báyazíd is situate on the south side of the grand court of his mosque. The Sheikh-ul-Islám is the chief lecturer, and superintends its affairs.
The medreseh of Sultán Selím, near Yení-bághcheh, at the Koshk of Khaljílar, was built by Sultán Soleïmán, but dedicated to the memory of his father. Its revenue was derived from the Yení-bághcheh (new garden), which originally was one mile long and half a mile broad. On this very spot Sultán Selím pitched his camp when he came to the empire, and received the act of obeisance.
The medreseh of Sultán Soleïmán, on the north and south of this mosque, consists of four schools, one for the traditions (dár-ul-hadíth), one for reading the Korán (dár-ul-kiráa’t); a separate one for medicine, with an hospital and an asylum for the insane, numerous baths, a cáravánseráï, a stable, and a boys’ school.
The college of the Prince Mohammed was built by Sinán, and is famous for its learning.
The college of Sultán Ahmed I. adjoins the mosque of the same name.
The college of Kara Mustafá Páshá is near Parmák-kapú (finger-gate).