Crowds have been lining the streets of Istanbul to watch a parade marking Republic Day.

The Republic of Turkey was founded 91 years ago by soldier-tuned-politician Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.

It came as the country emerged from its imperial days under the Ottoman Empire, following its collapse during World War I.

Pomp, ceremony and stamping feet.

Bands parade through the streets of Istanbul.

This parade is marking the 91st anniversary of the foundation of modern Turkey.

On 29 October 1923, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, a military officer who fought against the British in Gallipoli, founded the modern Turkish Republic - which would be based on democracy, secularism, nationalism and equality for women.

Mehmet Karli, Professor of law at Galatasary University says Mustafa and his followers "changed the political system."

"On the 29th of October, they declared the foundation of the Republic of Turkey, therefore, the end of the Ottoman Empire and the end of the Ottoman Dynasty. But of course, the declaration of Republic, and following reforms, the republican reforms, they are not solely, they are not only about a change of governmental system," he adds.

But reforms brought in by the pro-Islamic Justice and Democracy Party (AKP), which has been in power for more than a decade, have left some in society questioning whether values of the Republic of Turkey have been eroded.

"There is a certain reaction within certain sections of society as against the policies of the present government. AKP has been in power for the last 12 years, and it has become clear that they are promoting different values than the ideals of Republic," says Karli.

"The ideals of Republic, I just tried to describe them, secularism, westernisation, equal role for the women, a peaceful and pacifist policy in its region and respecting the equality of other states in its region, and all these things. Those were the republican ideals, and a lot of people feel that those ideals are under attack by the AKP government."

Dignitaries salute the crowds gathered here in Istanbul including 1st Army Commander, Salih Zeki Colak; Istanbul's governor, Vasip Sahin; and Istanbul's mayor, Kadir Topbas.

AP Television

Istanbul, Turkey - 29 October 2014

1. Wide of march, band from air force academy

2. Close-up of boots marching

3. Pan left across march, pull out

4. Mid of audience

5. Mid of marching band of Kuleli Military High School

6. Close-up of faces, Commander of the 1st Army, Salih Zeki Colak (left); Istanbul governor, Vasip Sahin (middle); Istanbul mayor, Kadir Topbas (right), in background

7. Wide of march of students from naval high school

8. Close-up of boots marching

9. Various of infantryman

10. Various of tanks

11. Wide of students from Istanbul High School marching

12. Close-up of students

13. Mid of military brass band

14. Wide of marching band of Fatih Female Anatolian Religious Vocational High School

15. Mid of marching band of International Fatih Sultan Mehmet Religious Vocational High School

16. Mid of march of Turkish World Research Foundation

++NIGHT SHOTS++

17. Various of Mehmet Karli stood on balcony of office

18. SOUNDBITE: (English) Mehmet Karli, Professor of law, Galatasary University:

"Mustafa Kemal Ataturk and his followers, they changed the political system in Turkey 91 years ago, and on the 29th of October, they declared the foundation of the Republic of Turkey, therefore, the end of the Ottoman Empire and the end of the Ottoman Dynasty. But of course, the declaration of the Republic, and following reforms, the republican reforms, they are not solely, they are not only about a change of governmental system."

19. Cutaway of hands

20. SOUNDBITE: (English) Mehmet Karli, Professor of law, Galatasary University:

"There is a certain reaction within certain sections of society as against the policies of the present government. AKP has been in power for the last 12 years, and it has become clear that they are promoting different values than the ideals of the Republic. The ideals of the Republic, I just tried to describe them, secularism, westernisation, equal role for the woman, a peaceful and pacifist policy in its region and respecting the equality of other states in its region, and all these things. Those were the republican ideals, and a lot of people feel that those ideals are under attack by the AKP government."

21. Various of audience at parade

22. Wide of Commander of the 1st Army, Salih Zeki Colak (left); Istanbul governor, Vasip Sahin; Istanbul mayor, Kadir Topbas saluting the crowds from a military jeep