Because of its contacts with the Western World's culture, and also because it was suffering from many fundamental problems at home, the Ottoman Empire took up the task of instituting reforms on all fronts in the 19th century. The period in Which these reforms were made is called the "Tanzimat Age". These reforms that are known as the "Tanzimat" were in fact begun when the first reform edicts were issued on Shؤban 26, 1255 AH; Nov. 3, 1839. Undoubtedly, one of the most influential players on the Ottoman reformation scene is the Turkish liberal politician, Midhat Pasha. The present text is a translation of the entry, "Midhat Pasa", of the "Grand Islamic Encyclopedia" in the Turkish Language, in which the writer has discussed this major Ottoman stateman's biography and political record in detail.
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