Order of the Medjidie facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Order of the Medjidie |
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Arms of the Order of the Medjidie
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| Country | Ottoman Empire |
| Type | Order |
| Eligibility | Civilians and military |
| Awarded for | Outstanding services to the state by foreign nationals |
| Status | No longer awarded |
| Statistics | |
| Established | 1851 |
 Ribbon bar of the medal |
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The Order of the Medjidie was a special award from the Ottoman Empire. It was given to both military members and civilians. This important award was created in 1851 by Abdulmejid I, who was the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire at that time. The order was given out from 1852 until 1922.
Contents
History of the Medjidie Order
When the Order Was Created
The Order of the Medjidie was started in 1851. It had five different levels, called classes. The First Class was the highest and most important award. Sultan Abdülmecid gave out many of these awards.
Who Received the Award
Many British and French soldiers and sailors received this order. They helped the Ottoman Empire during the Crimean War. This war was fought against Russia. The order was also given to British people for their service in Egypt and Sudan later on.
In Britain, people wore this order after their own British medals. But it was worn before other foreign medals. Usually, officers received the order. However, some regular soldiers and sailors also got it, but in a lower class. During World War I, some German, Austrian, and Bulgarian officers also received this award. The Order of the Medjidie was often given to people who were not from Turkey.
Design of the Medjidie Order
What the Star Looks Like
The front of the award, called the obverse, has the Sultan Abdülmecid's royal symbol. This symbol is inside a red circle with a gold edge. The whole design is on a star with seven points. Between these points are small crescent moons and five-pointed stars. The award hangs from a red crescent and star. This hanger has green edges.
Meaning of the Inscription
The words on the front of the order have a special meaning.
- To the left, it says: "(you have) crossed."
- To the right, it says: "(you are proven to be) correct."
- At the top, it says: "(you have provided) protection."
- At the bottom, it shows the year 1268. This is according to the Islamic calendar.
- In the middle, it says: "In the name of God the forgiver, the merciful."
Classes of the Order
The Order of the Medjidie had five different classes.
- The First, Second, Third, and Fourth Classes were made of gold.
- The Fifth Class, which was the lowest, was made of silver.
Here is how many people could receive each class:
- First Class Order (Gold) – Only 50 people could receive this. The Sultan himself gave it.
- Second Class Order (Gold) – 150 people could receive this. The Sultan also gave it.
- Third Class Order (Gold) – 800 people could receive this.
- Fourth Class Order (Gold) – 3,000 people could receive this.
- Fifth Class Order (Silver) – 6,000 people could receive this.
Notable People Who Received the Order
Many famous people from different countries received the Order of the Medjidie. They were recognized for their important contributions.
Here are some of them:
- Abdelkader El Djezairi: An Algerian leader who fought against the French invasion.
- Mustafa Kemal Atatürk: An Ottoman Army officer who later became the first president of Turkey.
- Arthur Conan Doyle: A famous Scottish author, known for creating Sherlock Holmes.
- Charles George Gordon: A British general, often called Gordon of Khartoum.
- Theodor Herzl: A journalist and important leader in the Zionist movement.
- Auguste Lumière: A French inventor who helped create early motion pictures.
- Louis Pasteur: A French chemist and microbiologist. He made important discoveries about vaccines.
- Pedro II of Brazil: He was the Emperor of Brazil.
- Rahime Perestu Sultan: She was the queen mother of the Ottoman Empire.
