23 Facts About Mehmed V

Mehmed V Resad was the penultimate sultan of the Ottoman Empire from 1909 to 1918.

Mehmed V had little influence over government affairs and the Ottoman constitution was held with little regard by his ministries.

The Ottomans entered World War I in November 1914, upon which Mehmed declared a jihad against the Allies.

Mehmed V had three elder sisters, Fatma Sultan, Refia Sultan and Hatice Sultan.

Mehmed V had asked Abdulmejid to take the motherless children under her wing, and raised as her own, and carried out the duties of a mother who cares for her children with compassion and concern.

Mehmed V studied Arabic and Persian, and spoke the latter very well.

Mehmed V took piano lessons from an Italian pianist and calligraphy lessons from a famous Ottoman calligrapher, Kazasker Mustafa Izzet Efendi, who designed the giant pendant medallions of the Hagia Sophia.

Mehmed V enjoyed the company of his uncle Abdul Aziz.

Mehmed V became crown-prince in 1876 with the ascension of his brother Abdul Hamid II, but was essentially kept under house arrest in Dolmabahce Palace, and was under close surveillance.

Mehmed V's reign began at the conclusion of the 31 March Incident on 27 April 1909, which resulted in the deposition of his brother Abdul Hamid II.

Mehmed V came to the throne largely as a figurehead with no real political power.

At the age of 64, Mehmed V was the oldest person to ascend the Turkish throne.

Mehmed V then boarded the royal carriage and visited the tomb of Mehmed the Conqueror in the Fatih Mosque, after which he returned to the Dolmabahce.

Mehmed V visited Uskup and Pristine, where he attended Friday prayers at the Tomb of Sultan Murad.

The Savior Officers demanded the pro-CUP Grand Vizier Mehmed V Said Pasha dissolve parliament and to resign, which he did.

Mehmed V appointed Ahmed Muhtar Pasha in his place, who formed a national unity government called the Great Cabinet.

Mehmed V was actually said to look with disfavour on the pro-German policy of Enver Pasha, but could do little to prevent war due to the sultanate's diminished influence.

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

Mehmed V was made Generalfeldmarschall of the Kingdom of Prussia on 27 January 1916, and of the German Empire on 1 February 1916.

Mehmed V was made a Feldmarschall of Austria-Hungary on 19 May 1918.

Mehmed V's grave is in the Eyup district of modern Istanbul.

Mehmed V had a small harem, as well as few children.

Mehmed V was the only sultan not to take new consorts after his accession to the throne.