ABD-UL-AZIS-HAN, ab'clol-a-zez'-han, 32d Sultan of the Ottoman Turks: b. 9 Feb. 1830; succeeded his brother Abd-ul-Mcdjid (q.v.), 25 June 1861; d. 4 June 1876. At first he showed himself liberal-minded and open to Western ideas, promising economy and reform. But ere long he began to spend vast sums on his army, the embellishment of his. capital, hunting and costly journeys. The most im portant of his political trips was in 1863 to Egypt, where he was accompanied by Fuad Pasha. In 1867, at the time of negotiation about Crete, notwithstanding the misunder standings existing between the Sublime Porte and European powers, Abd-ul-Azis went to Paris where he had a sumptuous reception at the Universal Exposition, and, in July of the same year, spent two weeks in London. His government had great difficulties to contend with in the Cretan insurrection of 1866, the struggle with Rumania and Serbia for full autonomy and finally the outbreak of Moham medan fanaticism. In 1871, after the death of
Aali-Pasha, the Sultan strove to have the suc cession settled upon his son, Yussuf-Izedin, in stead of his nephew Murad, according to Turk ish custom. He next tried to set Russia against the other powers and plunged ever into deeper financial difficulties, while his stupid misgov ernment alienated the provinces and led, in 1875, to risings in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bul garia and the Pashalik of Belgrade. At last a conspiracy forced him to dismiss his ministers, and next to abdicate the throne, 30 May 1876. Four days later he was found dead. He was succeeded by his nephew Mehmed Murad, who was shortly deposed on the ground of alleged insanity, in favor of Sultan Ahd-ul-Hamid, and finally murdered. Consult Millingen (Osman Saifi-Bey) 'La Turquie sous le refine d'Abd ul-Azis) (Brussels 1868) ; °Sultal Abd-ul Azis," in the Unsere Zest (Vol. I, Leipzig, 1877).