Selim III
On the 24th of December 1761, a boy named Selim was born into the Topkapı Palace. His mother Mihrişah Sultan was an ethnic Georgian who later reformed government schools and established political corporations. His father Mustafa III believed in creating a powerful army with professional soldiers to prevent Russian invasion. The elder sultan opened maritime and artillery academies before dying of a heart attack in 1774. An oracle had predicted his son would be a world conqueror, so he organized a seven-day joyous feast for the newborn. Selim received extensive education within the palace walls while his uncle Abdul Hamid I took care of him after their father's death. When Abdul Hamid died, Selim succeeded him on the 7th of April 1789 at age twenty-seven.
In 1797, Selim III collected Turkish peasant youths from Anatolia to form a new military corps called Nizam-I Cedid. These troops wore French-style uniforms and carried modern weapons supplied by European instructors. By 1806, this new army numbered around 23,000 troops including a modern artillery corps. They performed effectively in minor actions against rebellious Janissaries in Balkan provinces like Sanjak of Smederevo. However, Selim could not integrate these forces with the rest of the Ottoman army which limited their defensive role. The Janissaries viewed this entire reform program as a threat to their independence and refused to serve alongside them in the field. Powerful derebeys were alarmed because the sultan confiscated timars to finance these new forces.
Selim III established permanent embassies in Britain, France, Prussia and Austria despite Christian religious prejudice toward Muslims. He maintained extended correspondence with Louis XVI even after France became a republic. On the 1st of July 1798, French forces landed in Egypt causing Selim to declare war on France. The Ottomans fought periodic conflicts with the French until March 1801 when peace came in June 1802. War broke out again with Russia on the 27th of December 1806 and with Britain in March 1807. British attacks on the Dardanelles ended without effect that same February. Selim joined Napoleon's Continental System to defy St. Petersburg and London while Turkish garrisons controlled Serbian fortresses after Russian rebels gained autonomy.
Throughout the summer of 1806, armed confrontation occurred between New Order Troops and Janissary garrisons in Thrace during the Edirne Incident. Selim attempted to expand his reformed army by establishing New Order barracks in Balkan cities. Imperial forces retreated to Istanbul and Anatolia which constituted a death blow to his ambitions. This event resulted in his deposition the following May when rebellious Janissaries rose once more. They induced the Sheikh ul-Islam to grant a fatwa against reforms and placed his cousin Mustafa IV on the throne on the 29th of May 1807. Over the next year embassies were dismantled and Nizam-I Cedid troops dispersed before the deposed sultan was murdered.
On the night of Thursday the 28th of July 1808, Selim III stayed at the Harem with two consorts named Refet Kadın and Pakize Hanım. Assassins including Master of the Wardrobe Fettah the Georgian and black eunuch Nezir Ağa entered the room with drawn swords. Pakize Hanım threw herself between them and her lord while being cut in her hand. Refet Kadın screamed in terror as another slave girl fainted upon seeing what happened. The former sultan was cut down and murdered with last words Allahu Akbar meaning God is great. His body was quickly wrapped in a quilt before assassins moved to find Prince Mahmud who later ordered their execution. Selim III became the only Ottoman sultan killed by a sword and was buried in Laleli Mosque near his father's tomb.
Sultan Selim III created fourteen makams or melodic types three of which remain in current use today. Sixty-four compositions by him are known today some part of regular Turkish classical music performance. He performed on ney reed flute and tanbur long-necked fretted lute under teachers Kırımlı Ahmet Kamil Efendi and Tanburi İzak Efendi. As patron he encouraged musicians Dede Efendi and Baba Hamparsum whose notation system became dominant for Turkish and Armenian music. In 1797 he invited an opera troupe for first opera performance in Ottoman Empire. Writing under nom de plume İlhami, his poetry collected in divan included Şeyh Galib among regular court attendees. He entered Mevlevi Order at Galata Mevlevihanesi creating many musical compositions including Mevlevi ayin liturgical form in makam Suzidilara.
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Common questions
When was Selim III born and who were his parents?
Selim III was born on the 24th of December 1761 into the Topkapı Palace. His mother was Mihrişah Sultan, an ethnic Georgian, and his father was Mustafa III.
What military reforms did Selim III implement to modernize the Ottoman army?
In 1797, Selim III collected Turkish peasant youths from Anatolia to form a new military corps called Nizam-I Cedid. By 1806, this new army numbered around 23,000 troops including a modern artillery corps equipped with French-style uniforms and weapons supplied by European instructors.
Why did Selim III lose power in May 1807?
Rebellious Janissaries rose once more during the Edirne Incident and induced the Sheikh ul-Islam to grant a fatwa against reforms. They placed his cousin Mustafa IV on the throne on the 29th of May 1807, resulting in Selim III's deposition.
How did Selim III die and when did the assassination occur?
On the night of Thursday the 28th of July 1808, assassins entered the Harem where Selim III stayed and murdered him with swords. He became the only Ottoman sultan killed by a sword and was buried in Laleli Mosque near his father's tomb.
What musical contributions did Selim III make to Ottoman culture?
Sultan Selim III created fourteen makams or melodic types three of which remain in current use today. Sixty-four compositions by him are known today some part of regular Turkish classical music performance and he invited an opera troupe for first opera performance in Ottoman Empire in 1797.