Sultan Abdulhamid II was one of the last rulers of the Ottoman Empire, reigning from 1876 to 1909. His full name was Abdulhamid II bin Abdulmejid. Here's an overview of his reign and significance:
Early Life and Accession: Abdulhamid II was born on September 21, 1842, in Istanbul. He ascended to the throne on August 31, 1876, following the deposition of his brother, Sultan Murad V, who was declared mentally unfit to rule after just 93 days on the throne. Abdulhamid inherited a vast and diverse empire facing numerous challenges, including internal rebellions, nationalist movements, and external pressures from European powers.
Reign: Abdulhamid's reign was characterised by attempts to modernise and centralise the Ottoman state while also combating threats to its territorial integrity. He implemented various reforms, including administrative, military, and educational reforms, aimed at strengthening the empire. However, his rule was also marked by authoritarianism, censorship, and the suppression of dissent, earning him the epithet "the Red Sultan."
Pan-Islamism: One of Abdulhamid's notable policies was pan-Islamism, an attempt to unite Muslims worldwide under Ottoman leadership. He positioned himself as the protector of Muslims in the Balkans, Caucasus, and other regions where they faced persecution, earning him support from Muslim communities across the empire and beyond. This policy also aimed to counter European imperialism and influence in Muslim-majority regions.
Foreign Relations: Abdulhamid's reign saw the Ottoman Empire struggle to maintain its sovereignty and territorial integrity against the backdrop of European imperialism. He faced pressure from European powers, particularly Britain, France, and Russia, who sought to exploit the empire's weaknesses. The Russo-Turkish War of 1877–78 resulted in significant territorial losses for the Ottomans and further weakened Abdulhamid's position.
The Armenian Question: One of the most controversial aspects of Abdulhamid's reign was his response to the "Armenian Question." Under his rule, the Ottoman Empire witnessed the Armenian massacres of the 1890s, in which hundreds of thousands of Armenians were killed in a series of violent pogroms. These events continue to be a subject of historical debate and remain a source of tension between Turkey and Armenia today.
Deposition: Abdulhamid's autocratic rule and perceived mismanagement eventually led to discontent among various groups within the empire, including the Young Turks, a reformist and nationalist movement. In 1908, the Young Turks staged a successful coup, forcing Abdulhamid to reinstate the Ottoman constitution and share power with a parliament. However, he was effectively sidelined, and in 1909, he was officially deposed in favor of his younger brother, Mehmed V.
Later Years and Death: Abdulhamid spent the remainder of his life in exile in Istanbul, where he died on February 10, 1918, during World War I. He was buried at Yıldız Mosque in Istanbul.
Abdulhamid II's reign remains a subject of historical analysis, with interpretations varying widely depending on perspective. While some view him as a reformer and a defender of Islam, others criticise his authoritarianism and policies that contributed to the decline of the Ottoman Empire.