SULTAN SELIM III (1789-1807)

Sultan Selim III was born in Istanbul, on 24th December 1761. He is the son of Sultan Mustafa III and Mihrisah Sultana. His mother is Georgian originated. His father Sultan Mustafa III was very influenced by the oracles and as they told his son Selim will a world-conqueror he organised a feast lasted seven days with great joy. Selim was grown with the joy of the day he was born. He was very well educated in the palace. Sultan Mustafa III bequeathed him as his successor. But, Selim’s uncle Abdulhamid I ascended the throne after Sultan Mustafa. Sultan Abdulhamid I had taken care of Selim and put great emphasis on his education. After Abdulhamid’s death Selim succeeded him on 7th April 1789, in his 28th year.

Sultan Selim III was very fond of literature and calligraphy; many of his works were put on the walls of mosques and convents. He had spoken Arabic and Persian fluently. He was very religious, and very patriotic. He was a talented poet and a brilliant musician. He was a composer as well. He was also very fond of fine arts.

Selim was a very modern man and a reformist ruler. He was planning to modernise the Ottoman Empire. When he was acceded, his people revealed their respect to him and they were very hopeful about his administrations. The Ottoman people hoped that this young modern sultan would have brought back the victorious days of the empire.

Selim III left the throne to Mustafa on 29th May 1807 and he died a year 2 months later. The men of the new sultan during Alemdar Pasha Events killed him. His was buried in Laleli Mosque near his father’s tomb.

The Ottoman-Russian wars

When Selim III ascended the throne the Ottoman Empire was in war with Russia and Austria. He continued to struggle with these two states. The basic reason of this war was to save Crimea and hinder Austria planning to divide the Ottoman territories. Crimea’s geopolitical condition was very significant for the safety of Istanbul. During these wars, Ismail Triumph was won against Austria but Russia defeated the Ottoman Army nearly in every front. In Foksan (1st August 1789) and in Boze (22nd September 1789) wars the Ottoman Army was defeated. With these victories Russia invaded the Castle of Akkerman and Baserebya Region. On the other hand, the Austrians invaded Sebes, Muhadiye, Lazarethane and Pancova, afterwards, they occupied Belgrade and Semendire.

Yas Agreement

With Zistovi Treaty Austria left Russia alone in the war. One year later, Russia requested peace as well. Yas Agreement was signed between the Ottoman Empire and Russia (1792). With this treaty the Ottoman government approved Crimea’s transfer to Russia. The region between the rivers Bug and Dinyester and the castle of Ozi were left to Russia. The Regression Period started with Karlofca Treaty was ended and decay and destruction period of the Ottoman Empire begun.

Zistovi Peace Treaty

As the war continued the political administrations were held. On 11th July 1789, between the Ottoman Empire and Sweden a protocol was signed. Sultan Selim III also signed a treaty with Prussian King whom saw Russia and Austria as a threat (31st January 1790). However, these acts did not become valid as Austria was forced to sign a peace treaty with the Ottoman Empire as a result of her internal conflicts (4th August 1791). Austria gave the land she invaded during the wars back. A small land located between the Orsova and Unna streams was given to Austria. Most importantly, Austria guaranteed that she never support Russia again.

Nizam-ý Cedid

Sultan Selim was accusing the Yeniceri Corps after the defeat against Russia. He followed closely the improvements in the European Armies, and he observed the Prussian Army’s educational system. He was aware of the fact that the Ottoman Army needed an immediate reform. He collected new soldiers for the Yeniceri Corps. Thus, he established a modern army called Nizam-i Cedid (24.02.1793).

He established a new treasury called Irad-i Cedid to cover the expenses of this new army. He commissioned European soldiers for the training of the modern Ottoman Army. He constructed Selimiye Barracks and restored Land and Sea Gunnery Schools. After the Yas Agreement, he focused on improvement movements. He sent permanent ambassadors to Paris, London, Vienna, and Berlin and opened embassies in these cities. French was approved as the legal foreign language of the empire. Foreign language and science education gained importance. Some technical works were translated into Turkish.

Egypt and France

The Ottoman-French relations were begun in 16th century and developed during the Tulip Period. France supported Ottoman Empire against Venice and Austria. Mahmud II extended Suleyman I’s capitulation. But, this close relationship was ruined in the 18th century.

After 1789 revolution, France became a republic. The other European countries saw this as a danger and declared war against France. However, they failed to defeat France in these wars. The French Army commanded by Napoleon defeated nearly all their enemies except United Kingdom. France was intending to keep away the British from the Mediterranean and dominate the trade roads through India. For this reason, Napoleon made an expedition to Egypt and occupied Alexandria (2nd July 1798). After Alexandria, Cairo was invaded and the Ottoman Empire declared war against France on 2nd of September in year 1798. The Ottoman Army commanded by Cezzar Ahmed Pasha defeated Napoleon on 18th March 1799. Napoleon escaped to France and the French Army withdrew from Egypt on 27th June 1801. El-Arish Treaty was signed between two sides on 25th June 1802. The Ottoman Empire took Egypt back.

The last years

The Ottoman-Russian relations were improved following the treaties signed. However, the Russians followed their extension policies. The Ottoman Empire in order to hinder the Russian pressure in the Balkans closed the straits to the Russian ships. Moreover, the Princes of Wallachia and Moldavia were changed. But, these decisions could not have been applied with French and British pressure.

The revolt of the Kabakci Mustafa

Selim III was probably the most modern sultan of the Ottomans. His army Nizam-i Cedid reveals his attitude about the reformation of the empire. However, many statesmen and soldiers were planing to abolish the Nizam-i Cedid by inciting the yeniceris.

Opponents of Nizam-i Cedid led by Kabakci Mustafa revolted and killed Raif Mahmud. The Ottoman Government decided to make assembly and decide their policy about this revolt. But Grand Vizier Kose Musa Pasha claimed that the revolt was an insignificant event. Consequently, the rebels gained power.

Sultan Selim III as being so late for the repression of the revolt had to have abolished the new corps. But, the rebels continued their actions and wanted to depose the sultan and his 11 statesmen. Eventually, Sultan Selim said, “it is better to leave the Caliphate rather than to be the Caliph of such a rebellious nation” and left the throne (29th May 1807).

Selim lived in palace for one more year, and died during Alemdar Mustafa Pasha’s revolt to enthrone him again. Although his reform movements were interrupted he succeeded to base a modern state. He introduced a modern military system and he established technical schools.