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Sultan Murad V is widely considered one of the most intriguing and controversial figures in the history of the Ottoman Empire. He holds the unique distinction of being the only Sultan to have ever joined the Masonic Society.
His reign was incredibly brief, lasting only 93 days. He was deposed and isolated due to a severe nervous breakdown triggered by the tragic death of his uncle, Sultan Abdulaziz.
The Lineage and Family of Sultan Murad V
Sultan Murad V was a prominent member of the Ottoman dynasty. His lineage traces back through centuries of rulers to the founder of the empire. His genealogical line is as follows:
Sultan Murad V, son of Abdulmejid I, son of Mahmud II, son of Abdul Hamid I, son of Ahmed III, son of Mehmed IV, son of Ibrahim I, son of Ahmed I, son of Mehmed III, son of Murad III, son of Selim II, son of Suleiman the Magnificent, son of Selim I, son of Bayezid II, son of Mehmed the Conqueror, son of Murad II, son of Mehmed I, son of Bayezid I, son of Murad I, son of Orhan Gazi, son of Osman Gazi, son of ErtuÄŸrul Gazi.
The Early Life of Sultan Murad V
Sultan Murad V grew up in the opulent environment of the palace, receiving a high-level education. He learned the Holy Quran, the Ottoman language, and Hadith, alongside becoming fluent in French. He also possessed a remarkable talent for the piano and Western music.
The Sultan studied French literature and Turkish rhetoric, showing a strong inclination toward poetry and the arts.
As a young prince (Shahzada), he took a great interest in architecture. He spent significant time at his mansion in Kurbağalıdere (Kadıköy). While the mansion itself was largely demolished over time, the historic bathhouse (hamam) structure still remains as of 2025.
Sources describe Prince Murad as a thoughtful and sometimes melancholic figure, often spending long hours in contemplation.
He accompanied his uncle, Sultan Abdulaziz, on famous state visits to Egypt and Europe. During these trips, Prince Murad garnered the admiration of Napoleon III and Queen Victoria due to his refined manners and Western-leaning ideas.
Murad V and Freemasonry
Prince Murad maintained contact with the Young Ottomans and privately joined the Freemasons, making him the first member of the Ottoman dynasty to do so. In 1872, he was initiated into the Proodos (Progress) Lodge, which was affiliated with the Grand Orient of France, by Cleanthi Scalieri.
He suggested holding Masonic rituals in Turkish, though this was not immediately implemented. His involvement was controversial and kept secretive.
Sultan Abdulaziz eventually tightened control over Prince Murad, restricting his movements. He was prevented from walking freely in public and was only allowed to travel in closed carriages with prior permission.
During this tense period, Prince Murad commissioned a French lawyer to draft a constitution for the Ottoman Empire, intending to implement it upon his accession to the throne.
The Short Reign of Sultan Murad V
Sultan Murad V ascended to power on May 30, 1876, following a coup by constitutionalists that deposed his uncle, Sultan Abdulaziz.
However, his reign was plagued by tragedy from the start. Just days after taking power, the shock of his uncle’s suspicious death caused Murad V to suffer a severe mental collapse.
Terrified that the public would blame him for Abdulaziz’s death, the Sultan exhibited symptoms of a nervous breakdown, becoming unable to recognize even his own ministers.
Key ceremonies, such as the girding of the sword and the accreditation of foreign ambassadors, had to be postponed. As his condition worsened, Dr. Leidesdorf, a specialist from Vienna, was brought in to examine the Sultan’s psychological state.
The doctor concluded that a full recovery was unlikely in the short term. Consequently, the ministers turned to Prince Abdul Hamid II. Although Abdul Hamid initially preferred to wait for his brother’s recovery, the situation was deemed critical.
Following a fatwa from the Sheikh al-Islam declaring Murad incompetent to rule due to mental illness, his reign ended on August 31, 1876. He had ruled for exactly 93 days before being replaced by Sultan Abdul Hamid II.
Life After Removal: Imprisonment in Çırağan Palace
Murad V was confined to the Çırağan Palace for the remainder of his life, a period spanning nearly 28 years. While reports suggest he regained his mental clarity after the first nine months of imprisonment, he was never released.
During the early years of his confinement, supporters made three separate attempts to rescue him and restore him to the throne. All attempts failed, leading Sultan Abdul Hamid II to tighten isolation measures further.
Travel Note for 2025: Today, the Çırağan Palace has been transformed into the luxurious Çırağan Palace Kempinski hotel. Visitors can stay where the Sultan was once imprisoned, with room rates in 2025 averaging between $486 and $526 USD per night.
The Death of Sultan Murad V
Sultan Murad V, who also suffered from diabetes, passed away in Çırağan Palace on August 29, 1904. His funeral was conducted quietly, without official state ceremony.
Also read: Enderun Ottoman School
His body was washed and shrouded at Topkapi Palace, then transferred to the Hidayet Mosque in Bahçekapı. Following the funeral procession, he was buried next to his mother, Şevkefza Sultan, in the Cedid Havatin Tomb at the New Mosque (Yeni Cami) in Istanbul. Visitors to Istanbul in 2025 can visit the tomb for free.
