31 March Incident (31 Mart Vakası) was a rebellion of the reactionaries in 1909 in İstanbul toward the Countercoup (1909), who attempted to put an end to the nascent Second Constitutional Era in the Ottoman Empire and to the newly-established influence of the Committee of Union and Progress, in order to re-affirm the position of the sultan Abdulhamid II as absolute monarch. The incidents actually started, not on 31 March 1909 despite its name, but on 13 April 1909, that day corresponding to 31 March in the Rumi calendar in use at the time in Turkey. 1909 (MCMIX) was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... The location of Istanbul Province Maiden Tower and Historical Peninsula of Istanbul Istanbul (Turkish: Ä°stanbul) (the former Constantinople, Greek: Κωνσταντινούπολις) is the largest city in Turkey, and arguably the most important. ... Public Demonstration The Second Constitutional Era in the Ottoman Empire began with the 1908 Young Turk Revolution, shortly after which Sultan Abdul Hamid II restored the 1876 Constitution suspended since 1878. ... Motto: دولت ابد مدت Devlet-i Ebed-müddet (The Eternal State) Anthem: Ottoman imperial anthem At the height of its power (1683) Capital Söğüt (1299-1326) Bursa (1326-1365) Edirne (1365-1453) Constantinople (Istanbul) (1453-1922) Language(s) Ottoman Turkish Government Monarchy Sultans  - 1281–1326 Osman I  - 1918–1922 Mehmed VI... Foundation: 1890 Dissolved: 1918, Court Martialed Head: Committee of Union and Progress (CUP) (Turkish: Ä°ttihad ve Terakki Cemiyeti) was a political organization during the dissolution period of the Ottoman Empire which came to power between 1908 and 1918. ... Sultan Abdul Hamid II Abd_ul_Hamid II also Abdulhamid, Abdul Hamid, Abd al_Hamid II, or Abdul_Hamid (September 21, 1842 – February 10, 1918) was the sultan of the Ottoman Empire, from August 31, 1876 – April 27, 1909. ... March 31 is the 90th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (91st in Leap years), with 275 days remaining. ... 1909 (MCMIX) was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... April 13 is the 103rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (104th in leap years). ... 1909 (MCMIX) was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ...

The 1908 Young Turk Revolution even though a popular constitutional movement, was a watershed in the history of the late Ottoman Empire. ...

Event

The counter-coup (Countercoup (1909)) led by a certain Dervish Vahdeti (some sources also hint at a direct involvement by Said Nursi) reigned supreme in İstanbul for a few days. It was put down by Hareket Ordusu (The Army of Action) constituted in urgence with troops stationed in the Balkans and which rapidly departed from Selanik. Among the officers who entered the capital was a young captain named Mustafa Kemal. Said Nursi, born 1876? in the village of Nurs, province Bitlis, died March 23, 1960 in Urfa was a Islamic thinker of Kurdish origin. ... Balkan peninsula with northwest border Isonzo-Krka-Sava The Balkans is the historic and geographic name used to describe a region of southeastern Europe. ... The White Tower The Arch of Galerius Map showing the Thessaloníki prefecture Thessaloníki (Θεσσαλονίκη) is the second-largest city of Greece and is the principal city and the capital of the Greek region of Macedonia. ... Mustafa Kemal Atatürk Mustafa Kemal Atatürk (1881 – November 10, 1938), Turkish soldier and statesman, was the founder and first President of the Republic of Turkey. ...

A few weeks after the re-establishment of the order, the sultan Abdulhamid II himself was deposed and sent to exile in Selanik, and replaced by his brother Mehmed V Reşad. Sultan Abdul Hamid II Abd_ul_Hamid II also Abdulhamid, Abdul Hamid, Abd al_Hamid II, or Abdul_Hamid (September 21, 1842 – February 10, 1918) was the sultan of the Ottoman Empire, from August 31, 1876 – April 27, 1909. ... Sultan Mehmed V Mehmed V (sometimes also Mahommed V; known as Mehmed V ReÅŸad (or ReÅŸat) or Reshid Effendi) (November 2, 1844 – July 3, 1918) was the 39th Ottoman Sultan. ...

Effects

It has been suggested that the counter-coup against Countercoup (1909) constituted a breakdown between Britain's relations with Ottoman Empire marking the end of the one year old cooperation. Countercoup (1909) was also believed that it had unlimited British support behind it.

The incident led to a change of grand vizier, and Ahmed Tevfik Pasha, who later on was also going to be the last grand vizier of the Ottoman Empire brought into office. Ahmed Tevfik Pasha was the last Ottoman grand vizier, who had also held office during two different periods before his last (a total of four different periods officially since his first office also saw a change of sultan). ...

Sources

• Şeriatçı bir ayaklanma -A fundamentalist uprising by Sina Akşin with particular emphasis on British involvement.

See also

• Countercoup (1909)