Abdul Hamid I

Sultan Abdul Hamid I was born in Istanbul on 20 March 1725. His father was Ahmed III, his mother Rabia Şermi Sultan. His mother had him strongly educated. He went through all the histories available in his time and also occupied himself with calligraphy. He was known as a merciful, courteous and guileless man. Throughout his reign he undertook many reforms and public works. He always concerned himself closely with affairs of state and communicated his thoughts and opinions on every question to his viziers. He tried to appoint capable viziers, and behaved always with compassion and moderation towards the people.

Abdul Hamid I had only just come to the throne when he heard that an accession bounty was being demanded of him. Frowning and hardening, he said:

"There is no bounty in the treasury; from now on let no accession bounty be given! Let our decree be announced to our soldier sons!"

The soldiers grumbled a little but dispersed without taking the matter further.

Abdul Hamid I embarked on political and military reforms. He opened schools in the European style and tried to give a new face to the Janissary corps and to the navy. He founded the Corps of Rapid-Fire Gunners, had the Janissaries counted, and had those drawing excessive pay identified. Grand Vizier Halil Hamid Pasha, who carried out these measures, was denounced to the sultan by those whose interests they harmed. Despite all his good work, Halil Hamid Pasha was executed on the order of Abdul Hamid I, who had been misled on the matter.

For all his failures, Abdul Hamid I is remembered among Ottoman sultans for his good will and his effort. In the fire that broke out in Istanbul in the summer of 1782 he directed the firefighting himself, and thereby won the affection and esteem of the people.

Regarded by the people as a saint on account of his piety and goodness, Abdul Hamid I died in April 1789 at the age of sixty-four, after a reign of fifteen years, two months and seventeen days. He was buried in the tomb he had built for himself at Bahçekapı.

• Sons: Mustafa IV, Mahmud II, Murad, Nusret, Mehmed, Ahmed, Süleyman
• Daughters: Esma, Emine, Rabia, Saliha, Alimşah, Dürrüşehvar, Fatma, Melikşah, Hibetullah Zekiye

Source: Osmanlı Tarihi Interaktif CD-ROM (Türk Tarih Kurumu Yayınları XXXI. Dizi-Sa.2)