1. Rulers

This study registers in detail the Ottoman Sultans and the European rulers chronologically, and is meant to provide background and support for the projects "Diplomacy as Cultural Exchange" and "Ottoman Empire and European Theatre".

a. Osmanlı or Ottoman, the Imperial House of Osman

The entire eighteenth century falls into the Stagnation Era (1683-1827) of the Ottoman Empire beginning with the defeat of the Second Siege of Vienna. But surprisingly, or contradictorily, this era is also when extensive reforms in various areas were instituted by certain extraordinary members of the House of Osman.

b. The Three Reformer Sultans

Selim III (r. 1789-1807), Mahmut II (r. 1808-1839) and Abdülmecid I (r. 1839-1861) are mostly known as the reformer Sultans of the Ottoman dynasty, who implemented significant military, diplomatic, legal and social reforms. Nevertheless, a more important common characteristic of them was their affinity to musical-scenic arts. Selim III was a highly talented composer and poet and the first Sultan known to invite an opera troupe to the court. Mahmut II to establish the first military band except that of the Mehter, invited Giuseppe Donizetti, who established the first Ottoman orchestra and trained many musicians. His heir to the throne, Abdülmecid I, an advocate of reforms like his predecessor and father Mahmut II, was also a true enthusiast of classical music, theatre and opera, thus closely befriended with Giuseppe Donizetti, and was the founder of the first court theatre at the Dolmabahçe Palace (est. 1859).

c. Ottoman and European Rulers Index

We believe it is not possible to conduct sound research on theatre, opera or cultural history without having an overview of the historical facts of the era we analyze. Therefore, it was essential to map the Ottoman-European history through the rulers in history, so the Ottoman and European Rulers Index serve to this aim.