The Meclis-i Mebusan was the Ottoman Empire's first elected parliament, established in 1876. It was part of the constitutional reforms initiated by Sultan Abdulhamid II to modernize the empire and respond to growing demands for political representation. The assembly consisted of representatives from various provinces and aimed to address issues affecting the diverse population of the empire. The Meclis-i Mebusan operated until 1920, playing a crucial role in the political landscape of the late Ottoman period. It faced challenges, including censorship and opposition from the Sultan, but it laid the groundwork for future democratic movements in Turkey and the eventual establishment of the Grand National Assembly.