Abdülhamid, whose father was Sultan Abdülmecid and whose mother was Tirimüjgan Kadınefendi, was born in Istanbul on September 21, 1842.
Abdülhamid's father, Sultan Abdülmecid, who lost his mother due to tuberculosis when he was only 10 years old, died in 1861 at the age of 38.
Abdulhamid II ascended to the throne as the 34th Ottoman Sultan on August 31, 1876, after statesmen and administrators who wanted to establish a constitutional government dethroned Sultan Abdulaziz and Murad 5.
During the reign of Sultan Abdulhamid II, important steps were taken in the fields of education, public works and agriculture.
In 1876-1908, the number of primary schools was increased from 200 to 4-5 thousand, primary schools to 10 thousand, secondary schools from 250 to 600, high schools from 5 to 104, and the number of teachers' houses, which are today's teacher training schools, was increased to 32.
In addition, he opened many vocational schools in agriculture, finance, law, veterinary, trade, agriculture and many other fields.
Studies on the real diversification of sports branches, their transformation into a social entertainment culture and their scientific learning took place during the reign of Sultan Abdulhamid II.
Today, the three biggest clubs of Turkish football, Fenerbahçe, Galatasaray and Beşiktaş, were founded during the reign of Sultan Abdülhamid.
2. Abdulhamid had a collection of very valuable albums prepared, containing important photographs of various cities of the empire, especially Istanbul.
Haydarpaşa Medical School and Şişli Etfal Hospital, which he had built with his own money, and Darülaceze, which he paid for some of his expenses from his personal pocket, were among the important steps he took in the fields of health and social aid.
Chambers of commerce, agriculture and industry were also opened during the reign of Sultan Abdulhamid II. Horse-drawn and electric trams and regular docks were built in various cities.
Telegraph lines were drawn up to Hejaz and Basra. Clock towers were built in many cities of the Ottoman Empire to commemorate the 25th anniversary of his accession to the throne.
During the reign of Sultan Abdulhamid II, the number of military secondary schools and high schools was increased. The army was equipped with new weapons.
Important steps have also been taken in the field of law. Criminal procedure and commercial procedure laws were enacted. The police organization was reorganized according to western examples.
Abdulhamid II, who was also interested in western music, opera and theater, was meticulous about the expenditures in the palace.
Sultan Abdulhamid, who cut down on expenses, lived a simple life.