The series **Payitaht Abdulhamid**, known in English as *The Last Emperor*, is a sweeping Turkish historical drama chronicling the final 13 years of the reign of **Sultan Abdul Hamid II** (played by **Bülent İnal**), the 34th ruler of the Ottoman Empire. Set in the capital (*payitaht*), the series delves into the intense political turmoil, espionage, and constant threats—both foreign and domestic—that plagued the Sultan as he struggled to prevent the collapse of his vast empire. With five seasons and 154 episodes, **Payitaht Abdulhamid** offers a dramatic, revisionist perspective on a critical period in world history.

The Sultan faced a terrifying array of enemies: powerful nations like the **United Kingdom** and **Russia**, internal dissidents like the **Young Turks** and **Freemasons**, and even treachery from those supposedly loyal to him. This **ultimate guide** explores the 10 most insane secrets, conspiracies, and historical events—from the Hejaz Railway to the Freemason infiltration—that define the dramatic saga of **Payitaht Abdulhamid**.

The Global Threats and Imperial Projects in Payitaht Abdulhamid

The reign of Sultan Abdul Hamid II was marked by ambitious modernization projects constantly threatened by international rivals determined to see the Ottoman Empire fail. **Payitaht Abdulhamid** effectively dramatizes these high-stakes conflicts.

1. Sabotage of the Hejaz Railway Project (Season 1)

The series begins with the Sultan planning the **Hejaz railway**, a massive project intended to link Constantinople to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. This strategic and symbolic project was immediately met with sabotage attempts from internal traitors like **Mahmud Pasha** and external rivals like the **British** and **Theodor Herzl**. The railway represented Ottoman strength and unity, making its protection a central focus of the Sultan’s reign, as depicted in **Payitaht Abdulhamid**.

2. The Conflict with Theodor Herzl and Palestine

One of the most famous (and historically debated) conflicts in **Payitaht Abdulhamid** is the fictionalized clash between the Sultan and **Theodor Herzl**, the founder of Zionism. Herzl’s demand for land in **Palestine** is a recurring threat in the narrative. The show uses this conflict to emphasize the Sultan’s staunch refusal to concede Ottoman territory, positioning him as the resolute defender of Muslim lands against Western colonial and political ambitions.

3. The Oil Move and the Baghdad Railway (Season 2, 4)

As the new century begins, the Sultan launches the crucial **oil move**—recognizing the strategic importance of oil—that sparks wars in the new century. Later, the establishment of a second railway project in **Baghdad** further threatens British interests, directly leading to a confrontation with the British ambassador, **William Hechler**. Hechler openly becomes an enemy, highlighting how **Payitaht Abdulhamid** portrays the Sultan’s strategic foresight in economics and geopolitics.

[INSERT INTERNAL LINK TO RELATED POST HERE]

The Hidden War: Freemasons, Young Turks, and Spies in Payitaht Abdulhamid

The Sultan’s reign was perpetually threatened by elaborate conspiracy networks and treachery originating both inside and outside the palace walls. The series masterfully portrays this pervasive atmosphere of espionage.

4. The Freemason Conspiracy and Murad V’s Will (Season 5)

The Freemasons are consistently portrayed as the subject of conspiracy theories seeking to undermine the Ottoman Dynasty. In Season 5, the death of the Sultan’s older brother, **Murad V**, leaves behind a cryptic will—a musical **composition**—that contains the secret heir to the Masons’ leadership. The decoding of this composition initiates a dangerous hunt for the “Mason Pasha” within the highest ranks of the court, showcasing the deep level of infiltration faced by **Payitaht Abdulhamid**.

5. The Poison Gas Assassination Plot (Season 2)

The threats escalate from political sabotage to mass murder. The proclamation of the **Global Monarchy’s vizier**, **Alexendar Israel Parvus**, and his agent **Marco** leads to an insane assassination plot using a new invention: the **radiator**. Parvus uses a man named **Mr. Crowly** to inject poison gas into the palace during a ceremony, poisoning everyone. This dramatic climax is thwarted only by the self-sacrifice of **Fehim Pasha**, emphasizing the ruthlessness of the Sultan’s enemies.

6. Fuad Efendi and the Young Turks Revolution (Season 3)

The Sultan faces the powerful opposition of the **Young Turks**, led by **Sabahattin** (Mahmud Pasha’s son) from Paris. The series details how **Fuad Efendi**, the son of a former Khedive of Egypt, enters the Payitaht and, along with his fiancée **Shivenaz (Lila)**, creates problems. The season culminates in Fuad Efendi’s betrayal being uncovered and the **Young Turks starting a revolution** that attacks the palace, trapping the Sultan and his family inside the burning building—a defining moment in **Payitaht Abdulhamid**.

For context on the historical reality of the Young Turk Revolution and the Freemasons’ role, understanding the late Ottoman political environment is key. Consult historical resources on the era for clarity on the constitutional movement.

Palace Harem Battles and The Greek War (Payitaht Abdulhamid)

The political instability of the empire finds a reflection in the intense rivalries within the Harem, which are frequently exploited by the Sultan’s enemies. The series also covers the crucial military victories that punctuated the Sultan’s reign.

7. The Rivalry of Bidar and Seniha Sultan (Season 1, 2)

The Harem is a constant source of internal tension, primarily between **Bidar Kadin** and **Seniha Sultan**. This rivalry extends to their families and is manipulated by traitors like Mahmud Pasha. The trauma of the period severely affects Bidar Sultan, who, after a severe carriage accident, struggles to convince anyone that her abduction was deliberate. This Harem drama adds a layer of personal vulnerability to the imperial crises of **Payitaht Abdulhamid**.

8. The Victory in the Greek War of 1897 (Season 2)

The Sultan achieved a rare military victory for the collapsing Ottoman Empire: the **Greco-Turkish War of 1897**. **Payitaht Abdulhamid** emphasizes that the Sultan “changed the fortune of the Ottoman Empire, who had not been victorious in the last two centuries,” winning the war and proving his strategic capacity to the world. Though the conflict continued at the diplomatic table, the military victory was a massive propaganda and morale boost.

9. The Unlikely Spy: Mahmud Pasha’s Redemption (Season 5)

In a final, shocking plot twist, the longtime traitor **Mahmud Pasha**, forced to flee and take refuge with the British, reveals a secret: he was actually a **spy** inside the Masons all along, seeking to destroy them internally. Although sick and dying, he obtains crucial intelligence from his son Sabahattin and sends it back to the palace, restoring his name and adding a complex layer of ambiguity to his historical character’s portrayal in **Payitaht Abdulhamid**.

The entire structure of the show, which uses fictional elements to dramatize political and military events, is a hallmark of historical revisionist drama. The grand scale and meticulous detail of the production, produced by ES Film and directed by Sedat Akar, maintain the immersive quality throughout five seasons.

Conclusion: Documenting the End of Payitaht Abdulhamid

The series **Payitaht Abdulhamid** skips many years forward to reveal that **Tahsin Pasha** was given a secret duty: to document all the events that took place during the Sultan’s reign. This framing device allows the narrative to reflect on the entirety of the Sultan’s struggle. The show closes with the tragic mutual acknowledgment between the dethroned Sultan and **Talaat Pasha** (a prominent figure in the subsequent government) that the Ottoman Empire was about to collapse, despite the Sultan’s efforts.

The final, emotionally resonant scene shows Sultan Abdülhamid’s dream: walking down a long hall and seeing the great previous Ottoman rulers—Suleiman the Lawgiver, Selim the Stern, Mehmed the Conqueror, and Osman Gazi—each passing him a message. This powerful sequence solidifies the series’ perspective: **Payitaht Abdulhamid** portrays Sultan Abdul Hamid II as the last true defender of the imperial legacy.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Who plays Sultan Abdul Hamid II? The lead role is played by Turkish actor Bülent İnal.
• What are the main conflicts in Payitaht Abdulhamid? The Sultan’s struggle against the Freemasons, the Young Turks, British strategic interests, and the political opposition led by figures like Theodor Herzl.
• Did the Sultan win the Greek War? Yes, the Ottoman Empire won the Greco-Turkish War of 1897, a rare military victory for the era.
• How many seasons does the series have? The series ran for 5 seasons and 154 episodes, concluding in 2021.