Mehmed V

Mehmed V (Turkish: Mehmed V Reşad or Reşat Mehmet) (November 2, 1844 – July 3, 1918) was the 35th Ottoman Sultan. He was the son of Sultan Abdülmecid. Like many other potential heirs to the throne, he was confined for 30 years in the Harems of the palace. For nine of those years he was kept entirely alone. During this time he studied poetry of the old Persian style and was a praised poet.

His reign began on April 27, 1909 but he had no real political power. The actual decisions were made by various members of the Ottoman government and finally, during the First World War, by the Three Pashas: Enver Pasha, Talat Pasha, and Cemal Pasha.

Mehmed V's only significant political act was to formally declare jihad against the Allies on November 1914. This was the last genuine proclamation of jihad in history, as the Caliphate lasted until 1924. The proclamation had no noticeable effect on the war, despite the fact that many Muslims lived in Ottoman territories. The Arabs eventually joined the British forces against the Ottomans with the Arab Revolt in 1916.

Mehmed V hosted Kaiser Wilhelm II, his World War I ally, in Istanbul on October 15, 1917.

Mehmed V died on July 3, 1918 at the age of 73. He spent most of his life at the Dolmabahçe Palace and Yıldız Palace in Istanbul. His grave is in the historic Eyüp district of Istanbul. He left two sons: Prince Mehmed Ziyaeddin (1873-1938) and Prince Ömer Hilmi (1888-1935).

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