Sultan Abdülmecid (1823-1861) was the 31st ruler of the Ottoman Empire and the 110th Islamic Caliph. When he ascended to the throne at the age of 17, he faced his first challenge: a betrayal by Ahmet Pasha, the Admiral of the Fleet, who handed over the navy to the troublesome Egyptian governor, Mehmet Ali Pasha, in protest of Hüsrev Pasha's appointment as grand vizier. This resulted in a significant setback for the Ottoman Empire.
Sultan Abdülmecid is known for promulgating the Tanzimat Edict, indicating his inclination towards modernization, much like his father, Mahmud II. He also extended a helping hand during the great famine in Ireland in 1840, providing potatoes and essential supplies, an act still remembered by the Irish today.
In 1848, he offered refuge to refugees from Hungary and Poland, refusing Russian demands for their extradition. This bolstered the Ottoman Empire's reputation in Europe. Subsequently, Russia occupied Wallachia and Moldavia, leading to the Crimean War, in which an alliance with England and France resulted in Russia's defeat.
Following the war, the Paris Peace Conference was held, and Sultan Abdülmecid issued the Reform Edict (Islahat Fermanı). He passed away at the age of 38 and was interred near the Sultan Selim Mosque. Abdülmecid was recognized as a gentle and refined personality with a deep appreciation for Western music. He was proficient in French. His brother, Sultan Abdülaziz, succeeded him, and after him, four of Sultan Abdülmecid's sons ascended the throne, comprising the last four rulers of the Ottoman Empire.
During Abdülmecid's reign, the first telegraph line and the first railway in Ottoman territories were inaugurated, and the pioneering scientific academy, Encümen-i Daniş, was established in 1851.
Military reforms were implemented, allowing Christians to be conscripted for the first time. While the Reform Edict granted extensive rights to non-Muslims, it was met with resistance from some segments of the Muslim population, resulting in localized uprisings. Abdülmecid's era also witnessed intense pressure and activities by European powers in Ottoman territories and the straits.
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