Joseph II was the Holy Roman Emperor of the Austrian Habsburg dominion from 1765 to 1790. Following the death of his father, he served as a co-ruler with his mother, gaining sole reign only in 1780. Joseph II, during his reign, introduced in his dominion numerous policies that were fiercely opposed as the policies interfered with the age-old customs and beliefs. It was for his reforms that Joseph gained the reputation of an ‘enlightened despot’. Spanning over administrative, legal, economic and ecclesiastical field, the reforms though unprejudiced and liberal in structure, did not go too well with the citizens and were met with significant opposition. As such, towards the end of his rule, he failed to get his programmes implemented. Despite the criticism and opposition, Joseph’s policies, popularly known as Josephinism, aimed at equating the society on all grounds – religion, education, administration and law. A proponent of enlightened absolutism, Joseph II is ranked as one of the three great enlightenment monarchs. Having no children of his own, he was succeeded by his brother Leopold II.