Abdülaziz

Abdülaziz (Ottoman Turkish: عبد العزيز) (8 February 1830 – 4 June 1876) was the 32nd Sultan of the Ottoman Empire and was 111st Caliph of Islam. He ascended the throne when he was 31 years old, reigned between 25 June 1861 and 30 May 1876. He was the son of Sultan Mahmud II and became sultan after the death of his brother Abdülmecid I.[3] He was deposed in 1876, having become unpopular, and was found dead six days later.

Abdulaziz
Ottoman Caliph
Amir al-Mu'minin
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques
Khan
4f3bdb2b3891715176c6580e6ab6cb4b--ottoman-empire-sultan.jpg
Sultan of the Ottoman Empire (Padishah)
25 June 1861 – 30 May 1876
PredecessorAbdulmejid I
SuccessorMurad V
Grand viziers
Born8 February 1830
Constantinople, Ottoman Empire
Died4 June 1876(1876-06-04) (aged 46)[1]
Feriye Palace, Constantinople, Ottoman Empire
Burial
Tomb of Sultan Mahmud II, Fatih, Istanbul
Consorts
Issue
Among others
Full name
Abdülaziz Han bin Mahmud[2]
DynastyOttoman
FatherMahmud II
MotherPertevniyal Sultan
ReligionSunni Islam
TughraAbdulaziz's signature

His Reign

Abdülaziz was fond of wrestling, hunting and arm wrestling. He expanded and modernized the Ottoman navy, making it the third largest in the world. This resulted in large debts to European countries. He also bought modern weapons for the Ottoman Army and expanded it.

Sultan Abdülaziz frequently organized trips to inland and abroad. He was the first Sultan who visited Egypt after Yavuz Sultan Selim who had conqueared Egypt in 1517.

As well as principalities Abdülaziz was the first Sultan who visited Europe. And often contacted with other countries' leaders.

In the peroid of Abülaziz the Ottomans pay attention to get along with West. Ottoman's westernization politics that was started after the Edict Of Gülhane were continued.

New provinces were created country-wide and the Istanbul University's system re-edited by copying France's education system. Sirkeci Train Station began to be built in the Abdülaziz era.

Here are some modernization introductions enacted by him.

  • New soldier uniforms were prepared
  • Post stamps were used for the first time
  • Lighthouses were built along the coasts.
  • Ottoman Bank was opened.
  • High schools and industry schools were opened.
  • Forest, mine, and medicine schools were opened
  • Rulers of France, Austria, and Iran visited Istanbul.

Lover of Polish Arabian Horses

In 1864 the westernizing Ottoman sultan Abdülaziz imported 90 mares and two stallions from Count Branicki"s studs in Bialocerkiew/Poland.

Descendants of Abdulaziz

Only male descendants of Abdulaziz are considered representatives of the former Ottoman throne.

Name Position Relation
Abdülmecid II last Ottoman Caliph (1922–1924)
37th Post-Imperial of the House of Osman (1922–1944)
son
Şehzade Mehmed Cemaleddin Post-Imperial Head of the House of Osman (1944-1946) grandson
Şehzade Ömer Faruk Osmanoğlu Post-Imperial Head of the House of Osman (1946-1969) grandson
Şehzade Mehmed Abdülaziz II Post-Imperial Head of the House of Osman (1969–1977) grandson
Şehzade Süleyman Saadeddin Post-Imperial Head of the House of Osman (1977-1985) great-grandson
Şehzade Orhan Saadeddin Post-Imperial Head of the House of Osman since 1985 great-great-grandson

Abdülaziz Media

References

  1. "Abdülaziz". Encyclopædia Britannica (15th) I: A-ak Bayes. (2010). Chicago, IL: Encyclopædia Britannica Inc.. 21. 
  2. Garo Kürkman, (1996), Ottoman Silver Marks, p. 46
  3. Chambers Biographical Dictionary, ISBN 0-550-18022-2, page 2

Other websites

  Media related to Abdül Aziz I at Wikimedia Commons

Abdülaziz
Born: 9 February 1830 Died: 4 June 1876
Regnal titles
Preceded by
Abdülmecid I
Sultan of the Ottoman Empire
25 Jun 1861 – 30 May 1876
Succeeded by
Murad V
Sunni Islam titles
Preceded by
Abdülmecid I
Caliph of Islam
25 Jun 1861 – 30 May 1876
Succeeded by
Murad V