What prevented real Turkish harems from being merely pleasure palaces?

The real Turkish harems, particularly the ones during the Ottoman Empire, were not merely pleasure palaces largely due to their complex social structure and the significant political role they played within the empire.

Firstly, the harem was an integral part of the imperial household and was composed of the Sultan's family, which included his mother (the Valide Sultan), his wives, his concubines, his daughters, and other female relatives, as well as eunuchs who served as guardians and servants. This intricate family structure meant that the harem was a place where children were raised and educated, which is more akin to a domestic household than a place of pure indulgence.

Secondly, the harem had a strict hierarchy and a rigid set of protocols. The Valide Sultan, usually the Sultan's mother, held significant power and influence over the imperial household, including the selection of concubines for the Sultan and the upbringing of the heirs to the throne.

Lastly, the harem served as a political institution where alliances were formed, and power dynamics were continually in play. Women in the harem could exercise considerable political influence through their proximity to the Sultan and involvement in the education of the princes, leading to the phenomenon known as the 'Sultanate of Women' during certain periods of the Ottoman Empire.

All these factors worked together to make the harem much more than a pleasure palace; it was a central institution that had social, political, and familial duties, shaping the dynastic and political landscape of the Ottoman Empire.