Sultan Selim III (1761-1807) was the son of Sultan Mustafa III and Mihrişah Sultan. He ascended the throne at the age of 28 in 1789. He was the 28th Ottoman Sultan and the 107th Islamic Caliph.
In the year he took the throne, the French Revolution occurred, and Selim found himself embroiled in a war that started with Russia and Austria. The alliance with Sweden against Russia proved ineffective, but an agreement with Prussia led to Austria's withdrawal from the war. Subsequently, the Treaty of Yaş was signed with Russia, which left them isolated on the battlefield. This created an opportunity for peace in the Ottoman Empire, prompting Selim III to initiate various reform efforts.
Technical schools were established, and the army and navy were reorganized along European models. New ships were constructed, and the Nizam-ı Cedid units were formed to train disciplined soldiers. Envoys were sent to foreign states, and reforms continued. Selim III's era of reforms included the establishment of the first state printing press, adopting French as the Ottoman Empire's first official foreign language, and creating a modernized army under the name Nizam-ı Cedid, modeled after Western forces.
However, in 1798, Napoleon's invasion of Egypt strained relations with France. An alliance with the British led to the expulsion of Napoleon from Egypt. Following this, a Serbian uprising began, and Nizam-ı Cedid troops were sent to suppress the rebellion.
The British initially sided with the Russians in a new war, but despite Russian advances, they returned without significant gains. At this time, a rebellion led by Kabakçı Mustafa, opposing Nizam-ı Cedid, began. Selim III acquiesced to the rebels' demands and disbanded Nizam-ı Cedid, but despite fulfilling all their requests, he could not avoid being dethroned.
After being deposed, an organization called the Ruschuk Ayan, led by Alemdar Mustafa Pasha, moved to reinstate him in the Balkans. When they reached Istanbul, Sultan Mustafa IV ordered Selim III to be brutally killed. It is known that he struggled with the Janissaries who came to assassinate him, even using the Ney, an instrument he dearly loved, in an attempt to defend himself.
Sultan Selim III is remembered for his calm and innovative nature. He was an accomplished composer, even creating a new musical mode. His compositions have survived to this day. During his time as a prince, he corresponded with the last French king before the Revolution, Louis XVI.
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