Enderûn

In descending order of importance, these were the Privy Chamber (hass oda), the Treasury (hazine), the Privy Larder (kilar-ı hass), and the Campaign Chamber (seferli oda).

These boys received a thorough education and were destined for the highest state offices, beginning their career as pages in the Inner Service, and were known as içoğlanı ('lads of the interior').

[7] The Inner Service was notable for its employment of deaf-mutes (dilsiz), at least from the time of Mehmed II, to the end of the empire.

They acted as guards and attendants, and due to their particular nature were often entrusted with highly confidential assignments, including executions.

[8] Their number varied but they were never numerous; they had their own uniforms, their own superiors (başdilsiz), and although many were literate, they also communicated in their own special sign language.