Abdulmecid I

Sultan Abdülmecid was born in 25th day of April, 1823. He is the son of Sultan Mahmud II and Bezm-i Alem Mother Sultana. Bezm-i Alem Sultana was Georgian originated. Abdulmecid, followed his fathers footsteps, he admired the western civilisation, and like his father he was a reformist. In his 17th year, he succeeded his father Sultan Mahmud II, and, on the fourth month of his sovereign he declared the Reform Firman (Tanzimat Fermani), in Gulhane Park, Istanbul. He is known as the Sultan of the Reform Period. European historians and writers appreciate his reforms as well as his character. Sultan Abdulmecid I was a fair and graicous sovereign, but, he used to have drinking alcohol since his youth. He died at the age of 39, because of tuberculosis. He was buried near the tomb of Sultan Selim III. When Sultan Mahmud II was in his dead bed, Kavalali Mehmet Ali Pasha (Governor of Egypt) had revolted and defeated the Ottoman Forces in Nizip. Abdulmecid was acceded under such a chaotic condition. Egypt appeared as an European conflict with the Russian Navy's arrival to Istanbul due to the Treaty of Hunkar Iskelesi. England, Austria, Prussia and Russia assembled a conference to solve the problem between Kavalali and the Ottoman Empire. The European countries were against a strong administration in Egypt and they favoured the Ottoman Empire. The Treaty of London was signed in 1840. Due to this treaty; Egypt remained in the Ottoman authority, but, Kavalali Pasha and his sons took the administration. Egypt was imposed to pay 80.000 gold annual tax. Syria, Adana, Kyrite were left to the Ottoman Empire. Another conference assembled in 1841 after the treaty of Hunkar Iskelesi had fallen due. France, England, Prussia and Austria joined to this conference and, the domination of the Straits was given to the Ottoman Empire, also, other countries' battleships' transit in the periods of peace was forbidden. With this conference; France and England ensured their safety in the Straits but, the Ottoman authority was declined.

His wifes : Servet-seza, Shevk-efza Mother Sultana, Hosh-yar, Tir-i Mujgan Mother Sultana, Verd-i Cenan, Gul-cemal, Rahime Perestu Mother Sultana, Gulistu (Gülistan), Duzd-i Dil, Bezmi (Bezmara), Mahitab