Abdul Hamid II was more than just an Ottoman Sultan—he was a master strategist, a feared autocrat, and a deeply religious yet pragmatic ruler. His reign (1876-1909) was marked by significant modernization efforts, political intrigue, and resistance against European colonial ambitions. Some call him the “Red Sultan” due to the Armenian massacres, while others see him as the “Great Khan” who delayed the empire’s collapse.
But who was the real Abdul Hamid II? What were his personal beliefs, hidden projects, and words that echoed through time?
Table of Contents
Abdul Hamid’s Architectural Legacy
Assassination and European Conspiracies
Abdul Hamid II was obsessed with security. Unlike previous sultans who engaged in grand public ceremonies, he rarely left Yıldız Palace and moved with an unpredictable schedule. His paranoia was justified.
- The 1905 Bombing by Armenian Revolutionaries: One of the most dramatic assassination attempts in Ottoman history. A cart bomb exploded outside Yıldız Mosque, missing him by mere seconds. The attack was orchestrated by the Armenian Dashnak organization in retaliation for the Sultan’s suppression of uprisings.
- Espionage and Secret Police: He had one of the most extensive spy networks in the world. Foreign diplomats, journalists, and even high-ranking Ottoman officials were under constant surveillance.
His own words reveal his deep distrust of Western powers:
“They call me ‘Red Sultan’ because I did not let them partition the Ottoman lands like a cake. Had I bowed to them, they would have called me a saint.”
Abdul Hamid’s Literary and Intellectual Side
Few know that Abdul Hamid II was also a writer, poet, and intellectual. He wrote his own memoirs, revealing his thoughts on power, betrayal, and destiny. One of his most haunting reflections:
“Governance is a lonely road. Those who flatter you in daylight will betray you in darkness.”
He was an avid reader of European literature, Islamic philosophy, and military strategy. His personal library contained books from Shakespeare, Voltaire, and Rousseau, alongside Islamic jurisprudence and Ottoman history.
He also authored a short play, “Tarih-i Osmanî” (The Ottoman History), showcasing his deep interest in the empire’s past.
The Man Who Rejected Zionism
One of Abdul Hamid’s most significant political moves was rejecting Zionist leader Theodor Herzl’s proposal to establish a Jewish state in Palestine in exchange for Ottoman debt relief.
Herzl reportedly offered millions of gold coins, but Abdul Hamid II refused, declaring:
“I will not sell even a single inch of Palestinian land. It is not mine to sell—it belongs to the Islamic Ummah. Let the Jews keep their money.”
This cemented his legacy in Palestinian history as one of the last rulers to resist Zionist expansion in the region.
His Secret Dream
Unlike previous Ottoman rulers who focused on their empire alone, Abdul Hamid II had a global vision—to unite the entire Muslim world under Ottoman leadership.
He cultivated alliances with Muslim rulers in India, Central Asia, and Africa, sending emissaries to inspire resistance against British, French, and Russian colonial rule. His dream was to establish:
- A global Muslim communication network, using the Ottoman telegraph system to spread political messages.
- Islamic schools and scholarships for Muslims outside Ottoman lands, creating a new generation of pro-Ottoman leaders.
- A secret alliance with Japan, believing that an Asian-Muslim coalition could counterbalance European dominance.
This vision ultimately failed, but it laid the groundwork for later Islamic movements in the 20th century.
The Mysterious Last Years
After his 1909 deposition, Abdul Hamid II was exiled to Thessaloniki, where he lived under house arrest. Despite his removal, he remained highly respected. When the Balkan Wars broke out (1912-1913), the Ottoman government secretly consulted him on military strategy.
In 1918, as World War I was coming to an end, Abdul Hamid II died in Istanbul, likely from kidney failure. His last words, according to family accounts, were:
“The empire is falling. May Allah protect it from traitors.”
Abdul Hamid’s Influence on Modern Turkey
Even in modern Turkey, Abdul Hamid II’s legacy is divisive. While secularists see him as a ruthless dictator, others admire his foresight, resilience, and refusal to bow to Western pressure.
- Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Turkish Republic, was once an officer in the Ottoman military during Abdul Hamid’s rule. He later abolished the Sultanate in 1922, permanently ending Ottoman rule.
- However, many of Abdul Hamid’s reforms in education, military, and infrastructure laid the groundwork for Turkey’s modernization.
Today, his policies on Islam, nationalism, and state security continue to influence Turkish politics.
Final Thoughts
Abdul Hamid II wasn’t just a ruler—he was a survivor. He played a political chess game against Western empires, internal opposition, and nationalist uprisings, delaying the collapse of the empire for three more decades.
Was he a tyrant or a visionary? A repressive autocrat or the last true defender of Islam?
Perhaps the answer lies in his own words:
“Had I ruled with kindness, they would have crushed me. Had I ruled with cruelty, my people would have abandoned me. I ruled with fear, for it was the only path left.”
Explore Abdul Hamid's Legacy in Istanbul
Abdul Hamid II modernized and reshaped Istanbul through key infrastructural projects, educational reforms, and culturally significant buildings like the newly-reopened Yıldız Palace and numerous Hamidiye Mosques.
The Other Tour highlights his legacy by guiding visitors through these historic sites while fostering real connections with local communities. Through immersive storytelling, hands-on cultural activities, and authentic neighborhood interactions, guests experience how Abdul Hamid II’s influence still shapes the city’s character today.
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