Ottoman imperial anthem
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The Ottoman Empire, since its beginning in 13th century predates the use of anthems, did not use a specific royal or national anthem until late in its history. During the reign of Sultan Mahmud II, when the military and imperial band was re-organized along western lines, Giuseppe Donizetti was invited to head the process. Donizetti Pasha, as he was known in the Ottoman Empire, is believed to have composed the first imperial anthem, the Mahmudiye.
Like many other monarchies of its time, the anthem of the Ottoman Empire was a royal anthem, not a national one. Hence it paid homage to a specific ruler and a new anthem was composed at each imperial succession.
- Mahmudiye - for Sultan Mahmud II (1808-1839) - by Giuseppe Donizetti
- Mecidiye March - for Sultan Abdülmecid (1839-1861), by Giuseppe Donizetti, brother to Gaetano Donizetti
- Aziziye March - for Sultan Abdülâziz (1861-1876), by Callisto Guatelli
- Hamidiye - for Sultan Abdulhamid II (1876-1909), by Necip Pasha
- Resadiye - for Sultan Mehmed Resad V (1909-1918) by Italo Selveli
After the start of the imperial anthem tradition, two Sultans did not have specific anthems composed. The first is Sultan Murad V, who reigned for 3 months in 1876 and the second is the last Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, Sultan Mehmed Vahdeddin who used the Mahmudiye anthem.
Only Hamidiye and Resadiye have lyrics, the first three anthems being melodic only.