Abdulmecid I

Abdülmecid I was the sultan of the Ottoman Empire from 1839 to 1861. He succeeded his father Mahmud II on 2 July 1839. His reign was notable for the rise of nationalist movements within the empire's territories. Abdulmejid wanted to encourage Ottomanism among secessionist subject nations and stop rising nationalist movements within the empire, but despite new laws and reforms to integrate non-Muslims and non-Turks more thoroughly into Ottoman society, his efforts failed in this regard. He tried to forge alliances with the major powers of Western Europe, namely the United Kingdom and France, who fought alongside the Ottoman Empire in the Crimean War against Russia. During the Congress of Paris on 30 March 1856, the Ottoman Empire was officially included among the European family of nations. Abdulmejid's biggest achievement was the announcement and application of the Tanzimat (reorganization) reforms which were prepared by his father and effectively started the modernization of the Ottoman Empire in 1839. For this achievement, one of the imperial anthems of the Ottoman Empire, the March of Abdulmejid, was named after him. Abdulmejid was well educated, spoke fluent French, and was interested in literature and classical music. He was an advocate of reforms and was lucky enough to have the support of progressive viziers such as Mustafa Reşit Pasha, Mehmet Emin Ali Paşa and Fuad Pasha. He was also a patron of arts and culture, supporting the establishment of the Academy of Sciences, the Academy of Arts, the School of Medicine, and the School of Civil Engineering. He commissioned many public works, such as bridges, railways, telegraphs, mosques, and palaces. He was also known for his religious tolerance and generosity, granting amnesty to political exiles, donating money to various charities and religious institutions, and granting the right of worship to non-Muslims. He died of tuberculosis on 25 June 1861 at the age of 38 and was buried at the Yavuz Selim Mosque in Istanbul. He was succeeded by his brother Abdulaziz.