Sultan Abdulmajid II
Sultan Abdulmajid II, son of Abdulaziz II, is recognized as the last Sultan of the Ottoman Empire. He was exiled following the abolition of the caliphate in 1924, marking the end of the sultanate and the establishment of a republican government under Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in Turkey.
Life and Death of Sultan Abdulmajid
Born on May 30, 1868, Sultan Abdulmajid II was known for his noble character, kindness, and a deep appreciation for Turkey’s Islamic heritage. He garnered support from many who opposed Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s vision of separating Islamic identity from the state. Abdulmajid was appointed heir apparent following his cousin Sultan Mehmed VI. He was elected by the Grand National Assembly on November 18, 1922. However, when the sultanate was abolished and Ottoman rule came to an end, Sultan Mehmed VI fled the country, which led to Abdulmajid losing his title as heir apparent. Subsequently, he was exiled to Paris, France, where he passed away on August 23, 1944.
Sultans of the Ottoman Empire
Below is a list of significant Sultans of the Ottoman Empire who played vital roles in its rise and prosperity:
| Sultan | Reign |
|---|---|
| Osman I ibn Ertuğrul | 680 AH / 1281 AD |
| Orhan | 724 AH / 1324 AD |
| Murad I | 761 AH / 1360 AD |
| Beyazid I | 791 AH / 1389 AD |
| Mehmed I | 805 AH / 1403 AD |
| Suleiman I | 806 AH / 1403 AD |
| Murad II (First Reign) | 824 AH / 1421 AD |
| Mehmed the Conqueror (First Reign) | 848 AH / 1444 AD |
| Murad II (Second Reign) | 850 AH / 1446 AD |
| Mehmed the Conqueror (Second Reign) | 855 AH / 1451 AD |
| Beyazid II | 886 AH / 1481 AD |
| Selim I | 918 AH / 1512 AD |
| Suleiman the Lawgiver | 926 AH / 1520 AD |
| Selim II | 974 AH / 1566 AD |
| Murad III | 982 AH / 1574 AD |
| Mehmed III | 1003 AH / 1595 AD |
| Ahmed I | 1012 AH / 1603 AD |
| Mustafa I (First Reign) | 1026 AH / 1617 AD |
| Osman II | 1027 AH / 1618 AD |
| Mustafa I (Second Reign) | 1031 AH / 1622 AD |
| Murad IV | 1032 AH / 1623 AD |
| Ibrahim | 1049 AH / 1640 AD |
| Mehmed IV | 1058 AH / 1648 AD |
| Suleiman III | 1099 AH / 1687 AD |
| Ahmed II | 1102 AH / 1691 AD |
| Mustafa II | 1106 AH / 1695 AD |
| Ahmed III | 1115 AH / 1703 AD |
| Mahmud I | 1143 AH / 1730 AD |
| Osman III | 1168 AH / 1754 AD |
| Mustafa III | 1171 AH / 1757 AD |
| Selim III | 1203 AH / 1789 AD |
| Mustafa IV | 1222 AH / 1807 AD |
| Mahmud II | 1223 AH / 1808 AD |
| Abdulmejid I | 1255 AH / 1839 AD |
| Abdulaziz | 1277 AH / 1861 AD |
| Abdulhamid II | 1293 AH / 1876 AD |
| Mehmed V Rashad | 1327 AH / 1909 AD |
| Mehmed VI Vahideddin | 1336 AH / 1918 AD |
| Abdulmajid II | 1922-1924 AD |
Fall of the Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman Empire faced significant decline between 1839 and 1876, prompting Sultan Abdulhamid II to implement various political reforms, including the establishment of the first constitution in 1876 and the formation of a parliament. However, the empire’s situation worsened significantly after entering World War I on the side of the Central Powers—Germany, Austria, and Hungary—in 1914. Following their defeat in 1918, treaties divided the Ottoman territories among Britain, France, Greece, and Russia.