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Osman Ghazi’s First Major Battle with the Byzantine Army
The first capital of the Seljuk Empire in Anatolia was the city of Iznik. However, during the First Crusade, the Seljuks lost control of the city, and it fell into the hands of the Christians. As a result, the Seljuks were forced to move their capital from Iznik to Konya. Nevertheless, the Seljuks strongly desired to reclaim Iznik, as they considered it part of their ancestral heritage.
After Iznik fell, it became a borderland between the Byzantines and the Seljuks. However, nomadic Turks frequently crossed into Byzantine lands to graze their livestock, as they needed suitable pastures across the border.
On the other hand, the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) governors were highly troubled by the arrival of the Turkmens in their lands. To prevent Turkish incursions, they built a long chain of fortresses along the border.
In 1176 AD, the Seljuks and the Byzantines fought the Battle of Myriokephalon, in which the Seljuk Sultan Kilij Arslan secured a decisive victory. Thousands of Byzantine soldiers were killed, while many others were taken prisoner. Following this defeat, the Byzantine Emperor sought peace with Sultan Kilij Arslan. The Sultan accepted the peace offer on the condition that all newly built Byzantine fortresses near the border be dismantled, which the Emperor complied with.
Despite this, the Seljuks never gave up their dream of recapturing Iznik. They made several attempts but failed to regain the city.
As a result, Osman Ghazi, the leader of the Kayi tribe and the supreme commander of the border areas under the Seljuk Empire, decided to conquer Iznik himself.
After the collapse of the Seljuk Empire in Anatolia, various governors and emirs established independent states. During this period, Osman Ghazi laid the foundation of the Ottoman Empire, gaining independence from the Seljuk rulers. He initially conquered Karacahisar, Yarhisar, and Inegöl through his own efforts.
Following these victories, Osman Ghazi set his sights on the former Seljuk capital, Iznik. As he began expanding his territory, the Christian governors of Bithynia became increasingly alarmed. However, unlike the ruling elite, the local population of these cities supported Osman Ghazi and wished for his rule.
A contemporary Christian historian wrote:
“The governor of Iznik treated his people like bandits would treat their victims.”
The Roman (Byzantine) people under Osman Ghazi’s rule reported that he granted them complete religious freedom and justice. As a result, the inhabitants of other Byzantine regions eagerly hoped for Osman Ghazi to liberate their cities as well.
After conquering Bilecik, Yarhisar, and Inegöl, Osman Ghazi continued his military campaigns. In 1301 AD, he attacked and captured Yenişehir and Köprühisar, incorporating them into the Ottoman realm. He then declared Yenişehir as the new capital of the Ottoman Empire.
With Yenişehir established as the Ottoman capital, Osman Ghazi’s next target was Iznik. He began preparations for a siege and soon marched out from Yenişehir to conquer this strategic fortress.
Upon reaching Iznik, Osman Ghazi laid siege to the city, cutting off all supply routes. The city’s inhabitants depended entirely on the grain stockpiled inside, as Osman Ghazi’s forces completely blocked access to the outside world.
When news of the siege reached Byzantine Emperor Andronikos II in Constantinople, he was deeply troubled.
In a desperate move, the Byzantine Emperor assembled an army of 7,000 mercenaries and personally set sail from Constantinople to save Iznik. Before departing, he also ordered the Byzantine governors of Bursa and nearby regions to raise additional forces against Osman Ghazi. These Byzantine lords began gathering troops in preparation for a decisive battle.
Meanwhile, Osman Ghazi had spies in Constantinople, who informed him about the arrival of a large Byzantine army as well as the mobilization of Byzantine forces in Bursa and surrounding areas. This intelligence put Osman Ghazi in a difficult position.
He now faced a dual threat:
- A Byzantine army arriving from Constantinople
- Local Byzantine lords amassing troops in Bursa
Realizing the risk, Osman Ghazi made a strategic decision:
He lifted the siege of Iznik and retreated to Yenişehir with his forces.
Shortly afterward, the Byzantine army under General Muzalon advanced towards Yenişehir. The Byzantine lords from Bursa also prepared to join the battle.
The Battle of Bapheus (1302 AD)
On the night of July 27, 1302, Osman Ghazi’s forces camped near the Byzantine army. Osman Ghazi spent the night praying to Allah for victory.
Before dawn, just before Fajr prayer, Osman Ghazi ordered his vanguard to attack.
The Byzantine commander Muzalon stood at the rear of his army. His best cavalry units were positioned in front of him, while his infantry (spear-wielding soldiers) were placed at the frontline. The Byzantines planned to halt Osman Ghazi’s attack using their spear units, while their cavalry flanked the Ottomans from both sides.
As Osman Ghazi’s vanguard clashed with the Byzantine front line, Muzalon ordered his cavalry to flank the Ottomans from both sides. Initially, this maneuver was somewhat successful, as the Byzantine infantry managed to hold back the Ottoman forces.
However, Osman Ghazi, watching from a distance, saw that his troops were being encircled. Without hesitation, he personally led the main Ottoman force into battle.
Osman Ghazi launched a ferocious attack with his cavalry. The Ottoman vanguard pulled back slightly and engaged the rest of the Byzantine army.
Seeing the battlefield shift, Muzalon ordered his infantry to charge, but they refused to fight—terrified by the Ottoman onslaught.
The Ottoman warriors continued relentless attacks. Shields shattered, horses collapsed, and Byzantine formations crumbled.
Muzalon again ordered his infantry to charge, but they panicked, threw down their shields, and fled.
At this point, most of the Byzantine army was either killed or surrendered to Osman Ghazi. The Byzantine commander Muzalon fled the battlefield, marking a decisive Ottoman victory.
This battle, known as the Battle of Bapheus, was Osman Ghazi’s first major victory against the Byzantines. The Ottomans captured a vast amount of war spoils and prisoners.
After this triumph, Osman Ghazi’s fame spread throughout the Islamic world. Upon hearing of the establishment of the Ottoman state, many warriors and scholars migrated to Osman Ghazi’s lands, further strengthening the Ottoman military.
Within a short period, the Ottoman Empire grew rapidly—militarily, economically, and culturally—laying the foundation for one of history’s greatest empires.
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