Istanbul, 1842 - Sultan II. Abdülhamid (1842-1918) was the 34th Ottoman Sultan and the 113th Caliph of Islam. His father was Sultan Abdülmecid and his mother was Tirimüjgan Sultan. Raised by Piristü Kadın Efendi after his mother passed away when he was just 10 years old, Sultan Abdülhamid had a close relationship with his uncle Sultan Abdülaziz, even accompanying him on a foreign tour, which included a visit to Britain in 1867.
Coming to the throne at the age of 34 on August 31, 1876, after his uncle Abdülaziz's suspicious death, Sultan II. Abdülhamid found himself amidst internal and external challenges. He fulfilled his promise by proclaiming constitutional rule, holding elections, and opening the Parliament (Meclisi Mebusan).
Despite facing setbacks like the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-78 (also known as the 93 War) and the Ayastefanos Peace Treaty, Sultan Abdülhamid managed to engage in effective public diplomacy and significantly safeguarded the core territories. He pursued a peaceful and robust foreign policy while initiating reforms internally.
During his reign, railways, roads, healthcare facilities, schools, and universities were established. He continued the modernization efforts initiated during his uncle Abdülaziz's reign, undertaking significant projects like the Rumeli and Hijaz railways. Various barracks were built, and arms were procured, aiming to strengthen and modernize the army in the German style. Substantial efforts were made in the field of education, with vocational schools established in various fields like arts, commerce, law, agriculture, veterinary, and language.
The Kanun-i Esasi, considered the first constitution of the Ottoman Empire, was promulgated during his rule. The Duyun-u Umumiye was established in 1881 for the repayment of foreign debts.
Sultan Abdülhamid, known for his pan-Islamic stance, directed investments with the belief that the state's foundation should be based on its Muslim subjects. He resisted the intense Western efforts to establish an independent Armenian state and prevented Zionists from taking Palestine and establishing the state of Israel. His firm response to Armenian uprisings in the eastern borders led French historian Albert Vandal to nickname him the "Red Sultan," a term later adopted by other Western powers.
Sultan Abdülhamid is acknowledged to have had an extensive intelligence network, establishing the Yıldız Intelligence Organization in 1880. He administered the country efficiently both domestically and internationally. Despite debates and substantial territorial losses, the Ottoman Empire, during his reign, stood virtually alone against the whole world. Many historians believe that Sultan II. Abdülhamid extended the life of the Empire by 40 years.
Even amidst internal turmoil, he did not hesitate to provide aid to Muslim communities and territories in regions like India, Africa, and the Far East. Additionally, in 1878, he awarded the Order of Benevolence to women who excelled in charity and aid work.
Sultan Abdülhamid survived an assassination attempt by an Armenian rebel and his gang in Yıldız, a moment later lamented by the so-called intellectuals who had wished for the success of the assassination plot.
As the end of his rule approached, the Young Turk Revolution in Manastır led to the proclamation of constitutional rule and the reopening of the parliament. However, a year later, the 31 March Incident resulted in his dethronement on April 27, 1909. He spent nearly ten years in confinement, first in Thessaloniki and later in Beylerbeyi Palace. When he passed away on February 10, 1918, he was laid to rest in the tomb of Mahmud II.
Described as dark-skinned, tall, and with hazel eyes, Sultan Abdülhamid was also noted for his intelligence and exceptional memory. He was deeply religious. According to his daughter Ayşe Sultan, her father once said, "Faith and Science," and emphasized that it was permissible to believe in both.
Sultan Abdülhamid, who worked approximately 15 hours a day, was a lover of theater. He was also skilled in carpentry. He had an interest in printing and brought modern printing machines to the country. A fan of detective novels, he had all of Sherlock Holmes' books translated into Ottoman Turkish and printed. Unfortunately, his collection of detective novels disappeared after Yıldız Palace was looted.
While he aspired to build a bridge across the Bosphorus, the project didn't materialize due to funding issues. The Yemen railway project was initiated during his reign but was canceled in 1913 after the Italians bombarded the region. Darülaceze, a charitable institution, was established, and Şişli Etfal, Haydarpaşa Military Medical Faculty, and Haydarpaşa station were built during Sultan Abdülhamid II's reign. He facilitated the development and immigration of cities like Samsun and Bursa through the construction of roads. When he ascended the throne, there were about 200 modern primary schools in the capital, but he increased this number to nearly 9,000 during his reign.
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