Abstract: this article examines the problem of Selim III’s development of a platform for future reforms to save the Empire, its centralization and strengthening of power, and the army, undermining separatism of governors in the localities, suppressing anti-Ottoman uprisings, increasing revenues and enriching the state treasury.
Selim III pursued the goal: to streamline management, to prepare new cadres for administrative and military posts. With this were associated and the activities of Selim III in the field of military education, simplifying the office style, limiting the power of the Grand Vizier.
The totality of the reforms, planned and partly carried out by Selim III, was called “Nizam-i-Dzhedid”, which can be translated as “new system”.
Immediate impetus to the reforms was the severe defeat of the Ottoman Empire in the war with Russia in 1787-1791. The enlightened elite of the Turkish society at that time consisted of a spiritual and secular nobility, the class interests of the ulema did not require any reforms, especially reforms that would reduce the role of the Janissaries. But some more keen Ulema understood that further chaos in the governance of the state and the rule of the Janissaries would lead the empire to disaster, and therefore also advocated for reforms.
However, representatives of secular and spiritual nobility, supporters of reforms, had to overcome the resistance of their own clan. Support for the reforms of Selim III also had some large Anatolian feudal lords and together with Selim fought against their enemies: in some cases against the Janissaries, in others against the neighboring feudal lords.
Keywords: Selim III, Ottoman Empire, reform platform, Sultan’s decree, centralization of power, army, incomes, treasury