The Bostandji was an official of the Imperial Palace who carried out his duties either at vineyards and gardens or on the Sultan's boat. There were two groups – the Bostandjis of the private gardens of the Emperor, and the Bostandjis of the vegetable gardens of the Emperor. The first group looked after the gardens around the Imperial Palace and the latter group were responsible for the kitchen gardens. Their commander was called the Commander of the Imperial Guards -Bostanji Pasha- and he had jurisdiction over the shores and waters of the Bosphorus. He also had control of and sterred the Sultan's boat.
