Esmâ Ibret Hanim was born in Istanbul in 1194 (1780).[3] Her father was Serhasekiyan-i hassa Ahmed Ağa, an official in the Royal Palace. She was an only child, and special attention was given to her education. From early childhood she showed an interest in calligraphy, writing in sülüs-nesih and icâzet and copying the work of Mahmud Celâleddin Efendi.