Abdülaziz

Sultan Abdülaziz of the Ottoman Empire

Abdülaziz (Ottoman Turkish: عبد العزيز) ( 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. He was deposed in 1876, having become unpopular, and was found dead six days later.

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.

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

Other websites

Works written by or about Abd-ul-Aziz at Wikisource Media related to Abdül Aziz I at Wikimedia Commons

Abdülaziz House of Osman 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