Mahmud II was the 30th Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, reigning from 1808 to 1839. He is known for initiating significant reforms aimed at modernizing the empire, including military, administrative, and educational changes. His reign marked a shift towards a more centralized government and the reduction of the power of the Janissaries, the elite military corps. One of Mahmud II's notable achievements was the abolition of the Janissary corps in 1826, which he viewed as a threat to his authority. He also established new military units and introduced Western-style education. His reforms laid the groundwork for the later modernization efforts during the Tanzimat period.