Additionally, his uncle, Sultan Abdul Aziz, died under mysterious circumstances, with some claiming it was suicide while others suspected murder. From the first day of his ascendancy to the throne, Sultan Abdul Hamid faced a challenging situation. Among the 166 large importing merchants, 125 were Armenian, which means Armenian merchants accounted for 75% of this group. Among the 166 large importing merchants, 125 were Armenian, which means Armenian merchants accounted for 75% of this group. Sultan Abdul Hamid was called the Red Sultan.