Mahmud II

Reign: 1808 – 1839
Life: 1785–1839

Often described as the "Peter the Great of Turkey", Mahmud instituted extensive administrative, military, and fiscal reforms. His disbandment of the conservative Janissary Corps removed a major obstacle to his and his successors' reforms in the Empire, creating the foundations of the subsequent Tanzimat era. Early in his reign, the Ottoman Empire ceded Bessarabia to Russia at the end of the 1806, 1812 Russo-Turkish War. The Empire's continued decline convinced Mahmud to resume the reforms that were halted before he came to power.

During Mahmud II's reign, Frederick William III of Prussia ruled Prussia, Francis I of Austria ruled Austria, and William I of the Netherlands ruled Netherlands.

Want to learn more? Further reading

Osman's Dream: The History of the Ottoman Empire 1300–1923 by Caroline Finkel

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The World During Their Reign

The most notable rulers who held power elsewhere at the same time, from European courts to Ottoman, Mughal, and Chinese thrones.

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From the library

Go deeper on Mahmud II

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Osman's Dream: The History of the Ottoman Empire 1300–1923

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