Imperial anthems of the Ottoman Empire

The Ottoman Empire used to have a different anthem for each ruler. The first Sultan that appeared to have a personal anthem was Mahmud II. He started reforms which included the modernization of Ottoman imperial and military bands. This process went to Italian-born composer Giuseppe Donizetti, who was also the composer of first Ottoman Imperial anthem – Mahmudiye Marşı, and second – Mecidyie Marşi. Mehmed VI, the last Ottoman sultan didin't choose a special march composed for him but rather chose to use the “Mahmudiye”.

List of ottoman Imperial anthems

• Mahmudiye Marşı, March of Mahmud – for Mahmud II (1829–1839, 1918–1922), by Giuseppe Donizetti
• Mecidiye Marşı, March of Mecid – for Abdulmejid I (1839–1861), by Giuseppe Donizetti
• Aziziye Marşı, March of Aziz – for Abdülaziz (1861–1876), by Callisto Guatelli
• Hamidiye Marşı, March of Hamid – for Abdul Hamid II (1876–1909), by Necip Paşa
• Reşadiye Marşı, March of Reşad – for Mehmed V (1909–1918), by Italo Selvelli

Lyrics

Only the Hamidiye Marşı and Reşadiye Marşı used to have lyrics, the first three anthems were completly instrumental. The lyrics of the Reşadiye Marşı seem to have been lost to history.

Hamidiye Marşı

Ey velîni'met-i âlem şehinşâh-ı cihan
Taht-ı âlî baht-ı Osmaniye verdin izz ü şan
Sâye-i lûtf-i hümayûnunla âlem kâm-ran
Saltanatta çok zaman Sultan Hamid zevk et heman
Çok yaşa ey padişahım devletinle çok yaşa
Çok yaşa ey padişahım şevketinle çok yaşa