Sultan Abdülaziz (1830-1876) ascended the throne on June 25, 1861, at the age of 31. He was the 32nd Ottoman Sultan and the 111th Islamic Caliph. During his reign, he dealt with Balkan issues and faced conflicts with Greece over the island of Crete, which remained under Ottoman rule due to the efforts of Ali Pasha.
As the governor of Egypt, Ismail Pasha, began to overstep his authority, pressure was applied to reclaim his powers. Subsequently, Bulgarians sought to have an independent church within the Fener Patriarchate, a request that was granted in 1870.
In his era, the balance of power in Europe shifted significantly. With Prussia (Germany) defeating France, Europe saw a major reshuffling of geopolitical dynamics.
The Ottoman Empire struggled with mounting external debts, leading to increasing dissatisfaction among the populace. Uprisings erupted in Bosnia and subsequently spread to Bulgaria. At this critical juncture, a popular movement in Thessaloniki resulted in the killing of two consuls. Influenced by a group known as the Young Ottomans, including Namık Kemal, Mithat Pasha and Grand Vizier Mütercim acted, leading to the dethronement of Sultan Abdülaziz.
Abdülaziz was initially taken to Topkapi Palace, then later to Feriye Palace, where he was found with slit wrists on June 4, 1876, and passed away shortly thereafter. While the official report stated suicide, considering the course of events, it is apparent that he was killed to eliminate the possibility of his return to the throne by the coup plotters. For this reason, Sultan Abdülaziz is the last Ottoman Sultan to be dethroned and killed. In a later interview, his daughter stated that due to his tall and sturdy build, he could only be subdued by force by eight individuals, emphasizing that he was indeed murdered.
Sultan Abdülaziz was a knowledgeable and cultured ruler who traveled to Egypt and Europe. He was the first Ottoman Sultan to visit Egypt after its conquest by Yavuz Sultan Selim. He had a penchant for wrestling and composed marches. During his visit to London, his own march was played by the Royal Orchestra to welcome him. Sultan Abdülaziz's reign saw favorable relations with the West.
Known for his piety, Sultan Abdülaziz aimed to strengthen maritime capabilities, resulting in the construction of a formidable navy. Modernizing the Ottoman navy was one of his foremost priorities, and the first armored warship was commissioned under his reign. Consequently, he faced accusations of misallocating resources. He was also the first Ottoman Sultan to commission a statue of himself, which is now displayed at Beylerbeyi Palace.
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