Abdulhamid II was the 34th Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, reigning from 1876 to 1909. He is known for his efforts to modernize the empire, including reforms in education, infrastructure, and the military. However, his rule was also marked by increasing authoritarianism and repression of dissent. During his reign, Abdulhamid II faced significant challenges, including nationalist movements within the empire and external pressures from European powers. His policies aimed to maintain the empire's integrity, but ultimately led to his deposition in 1909, following a coup by the Young Turks, who sought to restore constitutional governance.