Murad V

Murad V (21 September 1840 – 29 August 1904) was the 32nd Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, reigning from 30 May to 31 August 1876.

Murad was the son of Sultan Abdülmecid I and Şevkefza Kadın. He received a relatively liberal education for an Ottoman prince, being tutored in French and European literature. This exposed him to the ideas of the Enlightenment and constitutionalism, influencing his views on governance. He became a prominent figure among the Young Ottomans, a group advocating for reforms within the Ottoman government.

His brief reign was marked by significant political turmoil and the growing influence of reformist ministers. He ascended the throne following the deposition of his uncle, Abdülaziz. Initially, Murad V promised to implement a constitutional monarchy, a key demand of the Young Ottomans. However, his mental state deteriorated rapidly, possibly due to stress and psychological fragility exacerbated by the circumstances of his ascension and the preceding events, including the deposition and death of Abdülaziz.

After only 93 days on the throne, Murad V was deposed by his brother, Abdülhamid II, on the grounds of mental instability. He was subsequently placed under house arrest in the Çırağan Palace, where he remained for the rest of his life. During his confinement, attempts were made to liberate him and restore him to the throne, but these failed.

Despite his short and ultimately unsuccessful reign, Murad V's association with the Young Ottomans and his initial support for constitutional reforms played a role in the eventual establishment of a constitutional monarchy in the Ottoman Empire under Abdülhamid II (albeit one that was short-lived and autocratic in practice). His reign represents a pivotal moment in the Ottoman Empire's attempts to modernize and adapt to the changing political landscape of the 19th century.