An epic tale spanning nearly a century in the life of the Ottoman Empire. In 1540, twelve-year-old Jahan arrives in Istanbul. An animal tamer in the sultan?s menagerie, he looks after the exceptionally smart elephant Chota and?befriends (and falls for) the sultan?s beautiful daughter, Princess Mihrimah. A palace education leads Jahan to Mimar Sinan, the empire?s chief architect, who takes Jahan under his wing as they construct some of the most magnificent buildings in history. Yet even as they?build Sinan?s triumphant masterpieces, dangerous undercurrents begin to emerge, with jealousy erupting among?Sinan?s four apprentices.