Sultan Murad V, a figure often overshadowed by his more prominent predecessors and successors, offers a fascinating glimpse into a brief yet pivotal moment in Ottoman history. Ascending to the throne in 1876, his reign lasted a mere 93 days, making it one of the shortest in the empire’s history. Despite this, Murad V’s liberal ideals and vision for a constitutional monarchy left an indelible mark on the Ottoman political landscape. This article delves into the Extra History of Sultan Murad V, exploring the complexities of his short-lived rule, his intellectual pursuits, and the circumstances that led to his tragic downfall. Join us as we uncover the untold stories and enduring legacy of a sultan who dared to dream of a modernized Ottoman Empire.
The son of Sultan Abdulmecid, who aimed to structure the Ottoman Empire according to the requirements of the age, Sultan Murad V was born on September 22, 1840. Sultan Murad V, whose real name was Mehmet, was one of the lucky princes because he was born during his father’s reign. Sultan Murad V, who took science lessons as well as Arabic and French lessons in the palace and took piano and Western music lessons from an Italian teacher, was declared the heir apparent after his uncle Abdülaziz ascended to the throne. Sultan Murad V, who participated in trips to Egypt and Europe with his uncle Abdülaziz, spent most of his time at the farmhouse in Kadıköy Kurbağalıdere until his uncle was deposed and he ascended to the throne. Sultan Murad V, who came into contact with the New Ottoman Movement initiated in Europe by Ottoman intellectuals of the period such as Şinasi, Namık Kemal, and Ziya Pasha during his years as the heir apparent, exchanged views with them on issues of constitutional monarchy and freedom. Murad V’s closest ally at the Sublime Porte was Mithat Pasha. He ascended to the throne of the Ottoman Empire after the dethronement of Sultan Abdulaziz at a time when European states were preparing to intervene in the Ottoman Empire following the events that began with the Herzegovina uprising and turned into the Balkan crisis with the Bosnian and Bulgarian uprisings.
Hüseyin Avni Pasha Opened the Way to Rule
After the dethronement of Abdulaziz in a plot, the coup plotters enthroned Sultan Murad V. Crown Prince Sultan Murad V collaborated with Mithat Pasha in ascending to the throne. He sent Mithat Pasha the money he obtained from Sarraf Hristaki Efendi to support the demonstrations of the madrasah students who were launched to dethrone Abdulaziz. The uprisings, also known as the “Softalar Rebellion” and which began on May 10, 1876, ended on May 30, 1876, when Abdulaziz was dethroned. That night, Dolmabahçe Palace was blockaded by land and sea, and no one was allowed to enter or exit. Minister of Military Schools Suleyman Pasha armed the students of the War Academy and laid siege to Dolmabahçe Palace by land with three battalions he had prepared in Taşkışla. Later, he went to the crown prince’s quarters in the palace and wanted to take Murat Efendi. Sultan Murad V, who was afraid of being arrested and fearing the arrival of Süleyman Pasha, did not want to leave his apartment. During the events that developed like a scene from a movie, Hüseyin Avni Pasha took Sultan Murad V from Süleyman Pasha and tried to take him to the European side in a boat waiting at the dock under the heavy storm and pouring rain. In the meantime, three different boats were changed in the sea and the Sirkeci Pier was reached. Extra History of Sultan Murad V.
Soldiers Were Deceived by the Lie “Abdulaziz is Dead”
Crown Prince Sultan Murad V was brought to the Serasker Gate in Beyazıt in a rented horse-drawn carriage to assume his reign, which would last 93 days. On the morning of the night Abdülaziz was dethroned, the Sheikh-ul-Islam and some other statesmen swore allegiance to Sultan Murad V and declared him the new ruler. Afterwards, a fatwa was read regarding Abdülaziz’s removal. The fatwa that permitted his dethronement claimed that Abdülaziz was insane and did not understand state affairs. The official notification noted that the decision to dethrone Abdülaziz was made with the unanimous consent of the general. It was later understood that many statesmen and soldiers were deceived by the news that Abdülaziz was dead. When the former sultan was transferred to Topkapı Palace, Sultan Murad V was taken to Dolmabahçe Palace. The enthronement was announced with cannon fire and a second allegiance ceremony was held for the statesmen gathered in the palace. According to tradition, the new sultan was supposed to sit on the golden throne in Topkapi Palace, but Murad V was seated on a gilded chair and an oath of allegiance was held.
He Appointed Ziya Pasha as Chief Secretary
Sultan Murad V appointed Ziya Pasha, whom he knew from the New Ottomans movement, as his chief secretary when he ascended the throne. In the meantime, he recalled Namık Kemal and his friends who were exiled in Europe due to the censorship policy implemented by Abdülaziz. Differences of opinion soon arose between the leading statesmen of the period such as Mithat Pasha and Hüseyin Avni Pasha, who were called “the chief of staff” and who dethroned Abdülaziz. Mithat Pasha was a libertarian and defended the constitutional order. Others were in favor of continuing the old order. Indeed, in the imperial edict issued on the third day of Sultan Murad V’s accession to the throne, the subject of constitutionalism was glossed over with a few bright words. In the meantime, Serasker Hüseyin Avni Pasha, who currently holds the status of chief of general staff, began to interfere in everything as if he were the sole authority. He did not allow the sultan to meet with anyone without informing him. He also removed Ziya Pasha from the position of chief secretary and appointed Sadullah Pasha in his place.
Real History Of Sultan Murad V
After being dethroned, Abdulaziz was transferred to the Feriye Palace. On his third day there, he was found with his wrists slit in his room. Thereupon, Abdulaziz’s brother-in-law, Lieutenant Governor Çerkez Hasan Bey, killed Hüseyin Avni Pasha, whom he held responsible for his brother-in-law’s death, by raiding the Council of Ministers meeting held in Mithat Pasha’s mansion. Sultan Murad V, who was nervous about the student demonstrations that were initiated to depose his uncle and the events that took place until the day he ascended to the throne, was also deeply frightened when Hüseyin Avni Pasha was killed. The events he experienced while ascending to the throne had caused him to experience a spiritual collapse. Indeed, it became apparent during the first Friday prayer session held in the Hagia Sophia Mosque that he had a disorder of consciousness. When he received the news of his uncle’s death, Sultan Murad V was shocked and was hastily transferred to the Yıldız Palace, but due to his insanity, he wanted to throw himself into the pool and commit suicide. The mental deterioration of Sultan Murad V became even more evident with his behavior during the second Friday greetings. Thereupon, he was locked up in the palace and was not allowed to see anyone. The sword-girding ceremony that was supposed to be held in Eyüp Sultan could not be held, and foreign ambassadors could not present their letters of credence.
His Illness Was Hidden From The Public
Although an attempt was made to hide Sultan Murad V’s illness from the public, everyone knew what was going on. Therefore, the fact that the country was being governed by a grand vizier without a sultan was a subject of criticism. Religious scholars were discussing whether Friday prayers could be performed in the country of a ruler who was mentally ill. When the rumors spread, palace officials began to take Sultan Murad V out for Friday prayers again. The ruler was taken by car to the mosque closest to Yıldız Palace, and two palace officials were sitting opposite him, which was completely out of order. Sultan Murad V, whose nervous system was extremely ill, wanted to commit suicide by breaking the windows of his room one morning, out of sadness at the situation that had become a theatre. Thereupon, he was examined by a committee of doctors. The committee’s report stated that the sultan had very little chance of recovery. The government, following the advice of the British ambassador, had the sultan examined by Doctor Leidesdorf from Vienna. When he also gave a negative report, the removal of Sultan Murad V from his seat was on the agenda.
The Way Was Opened for Abdulhamid II
When it came to the question of dethroning Sultan Murad V, a search began for who would succeed him. Thereupon, Mithat Pasha met with Abdülmecit’s second son, the crown prince Abdülhamit. The Council of Ministers decided on the dethronement of Sultan Murad V and the enthronement of Abdülhamit in a meeting held on August 30, 1876. The dethronement edict was read in the presence of the statesmen gathered in Kubbealtı the next morning. Thus, Abdülhamit was enthroned on August 31, 1876. After being dethroned, Sultan Murad V, who was allowed to live in the Çırağan Palace, did not respond to any treatment. In the meantime, claims spread among the public that his health was good and that he had been unjustly dethroned. For this reason, his brother Abdülhamit II had Sultan Murad V examined by a committee of local and foreign doctors and received a report stating that his illness was ongoing and that treatment was impossible. Extra History of Sultan Murad V.
They Wanted to Kidnap Him and Re-Assemble Him
A group of people who were running the power struggle in the Ottoman Empire through the crown princes wanted to kidnap Sultan Murad V from the Çırağan Palace. The four-person committee, two of whom were foreigners, was caught trying to enter the Çırağan Palace in November 1876. The people who tried to kidnap Sultan Murad V confessed that they wanted to take him to Europe and restore him to the throne. The second attempt to kidnapSultan Murad V was prevented by a tip-off on April 15, 1877. The third attempt to kidnap him was prevented by the murder of Ali Suavi on May 20, 1878. Abdulhamid implemented strict protective measures to prevent these kidnapping attempts that bothered him.Sultan Murad V lived a complete life in prison until he died of diabetes on August 29, 1904. His body was buried next to his mother in the New Mosque Mausoleum. It has been stated that the greatest weakness of Sultan Murad V, who was accused of being a member of a Masonic lodge among the Ottoman sultans, was his excessive addiction to alcohol and his extravagance.
Final Words
In conclusion, the Extra History of Sultan Murad V serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges and aspirations that defined his brief reign. Though his time on the throne was short, his efforts to introduce constitutional reforms and his intellectual contributions to the empire’s cultural fabric were significant. Murad V’s story is one of ambition, resilience, and ultimately, tragedy. As we reflect on his legacy, it becomes clear that his vision for a progressive Ottoman state, though unrealized in his lifetime, paved the way for future reforms. We hope this exploration of his extra history has provided you with a deeper appreciation of Sultan Murad V’s unique place in Ottoman history.