, usually called Ḳod̲j̲a Miʿmār Sinān, the greatest architect of the Ottomans. Sinān came from Ḳaiṣarīya [q. v]. in Anatolia where he was born on the 9th Rad̲j̲ab 895 (April 15, 1589) the son of Christian Greeks. His father was later called ʿAbd al-Mennān but his real name is not known. His non-Turkish origin ( mühtedī) is beyond question and is never in dispute, either among his contemporaries or among all serious ¶ Turkish scholars. The young Sinān came into the Serai in Stambul with the levy of youths ( dews̲h̲irme, q. v.), became a Janissary, distingmshed himself in the campaigns…