Kapi Agha

[4] The office of the Kapi Agha was an influential post, the holder became a close adviser to the Sultan and could play a decisive role in the imperial succession.

Nevertheless, and in contrast to his analogues in other Islamic states, usually denoted by variants of the title hajib, the holders of the office never expanded their power to the extent that they could rival that of the Sultan.

[1] Nevertheless, many Kapi Aghas went on to assume major provincial governorships (often distinguished by the epithet hadım, "eunuch", in their subsequent careers), and several are considered by modern historians among the greatest Ottoman statesmen of the period.

[1] The post reached its height in the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent (1520–1566), when its holders became the stewards of the charitable foundations and endowments (waqfs) designated for the upkeep of the two holy cities (Haramayn) of Islam, Mecca and Medina, and of over seventy large mosques.

During this time, the holders of the office engaged in open rivalry with the Grand Viziers for control over state affairs.