Mahmud II was one of the most influential sultans of the Ottoman Empire. As a radical reformer, he strove to implement military and governmental reforms to prevent the empire from collapsing. His removal of the Janissary corps, the establishment of new government institutions, and new measures regarding appearance brought about radical changes in the Ottoman army and society, and because of this very reason, he was known as "Infidel Sultan." He laid the foundations of the modern state structure not only through military reforms but also through measures such as the first census, the first official gazette (Takvim-i Vekayi), the establishment of modern ministries (Interior, Foreign Affairs, etc.), and the modernization of the bureaucracy.
More about: Mahmud IIDefinition
Timeline
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1785 - 1839Life of Mahmud II.
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1804 - 1813The First Serbian Uprising
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28 Jul 1808Mahmud II ascends the throne.
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1815 - 1817The Second Serbian Uprising.
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1821 - 1829Rebellion in Greece.
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1826Mahmud II removes Janissary corps and starts implementing reforms. Auspicious Incident (Vaka-i Hayriye).
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1831 - 1833The First Egyptian Crisis.
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1839 - 1841The Second Egyptian Crisis.
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1839Mahmud II dies in 1839.
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1839Ottoman and Egyptian armies clash at Nezib.
