🕌 Sultan Abdul Hamid II (1842–1918)
Sultan Abdul Hamid II was born on September 21, 1842, in Istanbul, the son of Sultan Abdulmejid I. He was well-educated, learned several languages, and was deeply interested in politics, religion, and modernization.
He became the 34th Sultan of the Ottoman Empire in 1876, at a time when the empire was weak, in debt, and losing territories. At first, he introduced the first Ottoman Constitution and parliament, hoping to reform the government. But after the Russo-Turkish War (1877–1878), and heavy losses, he suspended both and began ruling with full power.
Abdul Hamid worked to modernize the empire while keeping strong control. He built schools, universities, telegraph lines, railways, and especially the Hejaz Railway from Damascus to Medina. He also improved the army and navy.
He promoted Pan-Islamism, trying to unite Muslims worldwide under his leadership as Caliph of Islam. He used religion and education to strengthen Islamic identity and loyalty to the empire.
However, his rule was strict. He used spies and censorship to control opposition, which made some people fear him. European powers and Ottoman reformers accused him of being too harsh, and he was nicknamed the "Red Sultan."
In 1908, the Young Turk Revolution forced him to restore the constitution, and in 1909, he was removed from power. After his dethronement, he lived quietly in Beylerbeyi Palace in Istanbul until his death in 1918.
Today, Sultan Abdul Hamid II is remembered as a wise but controversial leader — a man who tried to protect and modernize the Ottoman Empire during one of its most difficult times.