Muhammad IV al-Hadi
Bey of Tunis
Muhammad El Hadi Bey, commonly referred to as Hédi Bey (Le Bardo, 24 June 1855 – Carthage, 11 May 1906) was the son of Ali III ibn al-Husayn and the fourteenth Husainid Bey of Tunis, ruling from 1902 until his death. He was named Bey al-Mahalla (Heir Apparent) on 3 December 1898 and succeeded as Bey of Tunis on the day of his predecessor's death, 11 June 1902, at a ceremony in the throne room of the palace in Tunis, in the presence of the French resident. Before the French protectorate of Tunisia the Ottoman sultan had bestowed honorific military ranks on the Bey of Tunis and his Heir Apparent. Hédi Bey did not receive such an honour, but was instead made Divisional General of the Beylical Guard when he became Heir Apparent, and became Marshal on his accession. Following a dispute in 1904 with the French Resident General Stephen Pichon over the dismissal of his Grand Vizier Mohammed Aziz Bouattour, he suffered a stroke which caused paralysis of his lower limbs. Shortly before his death, the first violent resistance to authority since the start of the protectorate took place in the Thala-Kasserine Disturbances.
The modern Tunisian army was formed in 1831 by Al-Husayn II ibn Mahmud. The first battalions of the regular modern Tunisian army were created at the same time as the reform of the Ottoman army and after the French conquest of Algeria in 1830. At the initiative of Minister of Hussein Bey II, Mamluk Shakir Saheb Ettabaâ, a battalion of Tunisians was established in Tunis in January 1831. The next year, another battalion was raised, composed mainly of Sahelians and based in Sousse. Soldiers and officers were trained, equipped and dressed in European fashion, like the first regiments of the Ottoman army after the reforms of Sultan Mahmud II which followed the removal of the Janissary Corps. Ahmed Bey I built on the initial reforms of the reign of his uncle, Hussein Bey II and initiated more extensive changes in both the Tunisian army and state. The former changes included the raising of Tunisia's first regular cavalry regiment in 1838, the opening of a military academy in 1840 and the creation of four conscript based regiments of infantry by 1842. Four artillery units were organised between 1838 and 1847, to be brigaded with the conscripted infantry. By 1855 the Tunisian army was divided into 7 infantry brigades spread throughout the country as listed below. Each was under the command of an Amir Liwa (Brigadier-General). From 1864 an Amir Oumar (General of Division was appointed). The numbers of each brigade varies from 1 000 to 2 000 men at different times. Also available from 1835 to 1860 were 4 artillery brigades (topjiya) of 1000 men each. The
Army also had several Tunisian irregular regiments made up of Berber tribal levies (or Zouaoua mkhaznia) spread across the country. The full strength of these irregular units reached up to 40,000 infantry and cavalry. They were based mainly in barracks at Kef, Nefza and Tunis, and were commanded by Turkish Mamluks. When the need for a regular cavalry regiment (spahis) arose, Ahmed Bey I created one regiment in 1850, based in Manouba. During the period of the French Protectorate (1881-1956), Tunisians were recruited in significant numbers into the French Army, serving as tirailleurs (infantry) and spahis (cavalry).
The Husainid dynasty or Husaynid dynasty was a ruling Turkish dynasty of the Beylik of Tunis. The dynasty was of Greek origin from the island of Crete. It came to power under al-Husayn I ibn Ali in 1705, succeeding the Muradid dynasty. After taking power, the Husainids ruled as Beys and ruled Tunisia until 1957. The Husainids originally ruled under the suzerainty of the Ottoman Empire. The Ottoman sultans officially regarded them as beylerbeyis (provincial governors) and recognized their rights to hereditary succession. Their succession to the throne was in theory determined by male primogeniture, but this was not always followed and, especially in later periods, the throne was often granted to an older male family member along the collateral branches of the family. The heir apparent to the Bey held the title Bey al-Mahalla and led the mahalla, a biannual tax collection expedition around the country. After Husayn I ibn Ali was granted the title of beylerbeyi by Sultan Ahmed III in 1705, the Husaynid beys ruled with effective independence from the Ottomans, even going so far as to form separate diplomatic agreements with European powers such as France, England, and the Italian states. Their independence was
strengthened in the 19th century, especially after Hammuda Pasha suppressed the local Janissary Corps in 1811 after a revolt. Nonetheless, they were able to retain advantageous relations with the Ottomans, sometimes requesting protection from them and at other times sending troops to assist in Ottoman wars. Under the reigns of Ahmed I Bey (r. 1837–1855), Muhammad II Bey (r. 1855–1859), and Muhammad III as-Sadiq (r. 1859–1882), efforts were made at significant reforms. In 1845, with French support, Ahmad I Bey ended the regular payments of tribute to Istanbul, but continued to receive the official titles of wali and mushir and to maintain a semblance of Ottoman authority. Ahmad also abolished slavery and removed the statutes that kept Tunisian Jews legally inferior. The abolition of the slave trade and the commission of major public works incurred large debts, which were mainly held by European (especially French) interests and businessmen. On 10 September 1857, Muhammad II Bey enacted the "Fundamental Pact", modeled on the Ottoman Tanzimat reforms. In 1861 Muhammad III as-Sadiq promulgated a new constitution which transformed Tunisia into a constitutional monarchy, with a legislative assembly. The state's financial situation worsened, however, which led to raised taxes, rebellions, and larger debts. In 1869 Muhammad as-Sadiq was forced to consent to the creation of an "international financial commission" (composed of Tunisia, France, England and Italy) that oversaw management of the country's debt. French intervention and pressure continued to increase. In 1881, following a French invasion and occupation, the Treaty of Bardo was signed and Tunisia came under the control of France as a protectorate.
Awards: Sash, insignia and star of the Order of Glory.
