Which of the following statements concerning the reforms of Mahmud II is most accurate?
a. Mahmud, with the consent of the ulama and the ayan returned to a traditional Islamic form of government.
b. Mahmud patterned his reform program on Western precedents, including the creation of a diplomatic corps.
c. Mahmud's program of reform was actually less ambitious than that of his predecessor, Selim III.
d. Despite subtle military and administrative reforms, Mahmud was unable to shake off the influence of the Janissaries.
e. The reforms were a blend of Islamic and east Asian economic influences with Enlightenment ideas.
Answer: B