They are guarded by five eunuchs, who keep up their authority by occasionally beating them.
The sultan has three sons and two daughters, who live with him in this cage, the doors of which are locked at night, and the keys brought to him, so that he remains free from any fear of attack.

The castle is entered by a long winding passage in the wall, quite dark and very steep.

At the door is a large shed, looking on a square place capable of containing three or four hundred men, closely huddled together.

Under this shed is a great chair of state, once finely gilt and ornamented, with a patchwork quilt thrown over it, and behind it are the remains of two large looking-glasses.

In this chair the sultan receives homage every Friday, before he ascends the castle, after returning from the mosque.