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Abdul-AzizThe 32nd Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, who reigned from 1861 to 1876. Second son of Sultan Mahmud II; ascended the throne after his brother Abdulmecid on June 25, 1861.
Date of Birth: 09.02.1830
Country:  Turkey |
Content:
- Abdul-Aziz: The 32nd Sultan of the Ottoman Empire
- Reforms and Challenges
- Decline and Abdication
- Family and Children
- Concubines: - Yıldız Hanım Effendi - Çeşmidil Hanım Effendi
Abdul-Aziz: The 32nd Sultan of the Ottoman Empire
Abdul-Aziz was the 32nd Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, reigning from 1861 to 1876. He was the second son of Sultan Mahmud II and ascended the throne after his brother Abdul-Mejid on June 25, 1861.
Reforms and Challenges
Abdul-Aziz desired reforms and surrounded himself with liberals, which gained him popularity. He promised to implement state and palace economies. However, he lacked the firmness to fulfill his intentions. From 1862, frequent nervous disorders hindered his ability to govern, and as a result, the Grand Vizier governed the state until 1871, according to the guidance of Abdul-Aziz's predecessor.
During his reign, significant events took place. These included the uprising in Crete (1866), the cession of Belgrade to Serbia (1867), and Greece's diplomatic victory (1868), which encouraged the uprising in Crete. However, these events were often associated with more famous statesmen, such as Fuad Pasha and Ali Pasha, rather than Abdul-Aziz. In 1863, Abdul-Aziz traveled to Egypt accompanied by Fuad Pasha. In 1867, despite disagreements with other countries, Abdul-Aziz became the first Ottoman Sultan to visit the West during negotiations on Crete. He was splendidly received in Paris, visited the World Exhibition, stayed in London from July 12 to 23, greeted the Prussian royal couple in Koblenz on July 24, spent five days in Vienna, and returned to Constantinople on August 7, 1867.
Decline and Abdication
After the death of Ali Pasha in 1871, Abdul-Aziz intended to personally govern the state. He wanted to change the law of succession in favor of his son Yusuf Izzeddin and increase his own treasury at the expense of the state. He tried to appropriate all state revenues for himself. In 1873, by yielding to the Khedive of Egypt for 21 million francs, Abdul-Aziz almost surrendered all rights as an independent ruler, leaving soldiers and officials without payment. When the situation began deteriorating and Herzegovina rebelled in August 1875, he ordered a 50% reduction in interest payments on government debts, undermining trust in the state.
The implementation of the Tanzimat reforms during Abdul-Aziz's rule did not resolve the social and political crisis of the Ottoman Empire. Rising prices, privileges of foreign entrepreneurs, and increased external dependence further intensified dissatisfaction with Abdul-Aziz's reign. By the end of his rule, a significant portion of the liberal-minded bureaucracy had shifted to the opposition. In 1876 (May 11), the Sofya uprising forced him to replace the Grand Vizier Mahmud Nedim, who was pro-Russian, with Mehmed Rushdi and Hussein Avni, renowned patriots. On May 30, 1876, they forced him to abdicate in favor of his nephew, Mehmed Murad (Murad V). Just a few days later, on June 4, he died, officially declared a suicide by slashing his veins, in the Feriye Palace, where he and his family were imprisoned as state criminals.
The 1881 trial against many statesmen, including Midhat Pasha, proved that the Sultan was murdered.
Family and Children
Abdul-Aziz had multiple wives and children.Wives:
- Durri-Nev Kadyn Effendi
- Eda-Dil Kadyn Effendi
- Hayran-ı-Dil Kadyn Effendi
- Nesrin Kadyn Effendi
- Gevheri Kadyn Effendi
Concubines: - Yıldız Hanım Effendi - Çeşmidil Hanım Effendi
Sons:
- Şehzade Yusuf Izzeddin (1857-1916, mother: Durri-Nev Kadyn Effendi)
- Şehzade Mahmud Celaleddin (1862-1888, mother: Eda-Dil Kadyn Effendi)
- Şehzade Mehmed Selim (1866-1867)
- Abdul-Mejid II (1868-1944, mother: Hayran-ı-Dil Kadyn Effendi)
- Şehzade Mehmed Seifeddin (1874-1927, mother: Gevheri Kadyn Effendi)
- Şehzade Mehmed Şevket (1872-1899, mother: Nesrin Kadyn Effendi)
Daughters:
- Fatma Salih Sultan (1862-1941, mother: Durri-Nev Kadyn Effendi)
- Emin Sultan (1866-1867, mother: Eda-Dil Kadyn Effendi)
- Nazime Sultan (1866-1947, mother: Hayran-ı-Dil Kadyn Effendi)
- Esma Sultan (1873-1899, mother: Nesrin Kadyn Effendi or Gevheri Kadyn Effendi according to other sources)
- Emin Sultan (1874-1920, mother: Nesrin Kadyn Effendi)
- Fatma Sultan (1874-1875)
- Münevvere Sultan (born and died in 1877)
