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Read now about The Astonishing Achievements of Orhan Ghazi – Ottoman Empire’s Great Leader in Eng the son of Osman Ghazi.
The History of Orhan Ghazi, the First Ruler of the Ottoman Empire
When Ertugrul Ghazi passed away, the Kayi Tribe only controlled Sogut city and a couple of other tribes, which Osman Ghazi inherited. Osman Ghazi successfully transformed this tribal leadership into a frontier state and then laid the foundation of an empire. By the time Osman Ghazi passed away, he had left a much larger inheritance for his son, Orhan, than what he had received from his father, Ertugrul Ghazi.
Although Osman Ghazi had established the Ottoman Empire, it still lacked an organized administrative system or a structured army. The state had neither wealth nor a navy. They didn’t even have access to a seaport. Thus, Orhan Ghazi had to make significant efforts to transform this newly inherited empire into a well-organized state.
At the time of Osman Ghazi’s passing, Orhan Bey was around 40 years old. In his father’s final years, due to Osman Ghazi’s illness, Orhan had already taken over the administration and achieved several victories.
Conquests Under Orhan Ghazi
During the siege of Bursa, in 1321 AD, Orhan Ghazi conquered Mudanya and sent Konur Alp to capture the areas stretching from the Sakarya Valley to the Black Sea coast. Meanwhile, Akçakoca was dispatched to conquer Izmit. Both commanders succeeded, capturing Düzce, the surrounding areas, and the regions around Lake Sapanca. Around the same time, Abdurrahman Ghazi also conquered Yalova.
After Osman Ghazi’s death, he left behind two sons: his elder son, Alauddin, and his younger son, Orhan. Orhan Ghazi initially offered to divide the empire with his elder brother, Alauddin, but Alauddin refused, preferring a peaceful life. However, at Orhan’s insistence, Alauddin agreed to take charge of the state’s administration, becoming the first Grand Vizier (Prime Minister) of the Ottoman Empire.
Alauddin’s Contributions
Alauddin Ghazi focused on three major reforms: currency, clothing, and the military. Even though Sultan Alauddin Seljuk had granted Osman Ghazi permission to issue coins in his name, Osman refrained from doing so. However, during Orhan’s rule, Alauddin introduced coins in Orhan Ghazi’s name, marking a significant step in the empire’s sovereignty.
Alauddin also enforced dress codes, differentiating attire for various social classes, including urban and rural residents, Muslims, and non-Muslims.
His most remarkable achievement, however, was military reform. He established a permanent standing army, known as the Janissaries (Yeniçeri Corps). This elite military force significantly strengthened the Ottoman Empire and played a crucial role in its military dominance for the next 300 years.
Orhan Ghazi’s Expansion Efforts
With a strong military force, Orhan Ghazi turned his attention toward expansion. On April 6, 1326, after conquering Bursa, he set his sights on Iznik (Nicaea) and Izmit (Nicomedia)—two vital cities. Iznik was an industrial hub, even larger than Bursa, while Izmit was a crucial trade port. Capturing these cities would give the Ottomans a strategic advantage, depriving the Byzantines of their stronghold in the Sea of Marmara.
Before seizing Iznik, Orhan’s commanders conquered several surrounding regions. Karamürsel Bey took over the southern shores of the Izmit Gulf, Akçakoca captured the area near Kandıra, while Konur Alp and Abdurrahman Ghazi secured Üsküdar and Samandıra Fortress.
The Siege of Iznik and the Byzantine Response
The siege of Iznik had begun during Osman Ghazi’s final years. After becoming the ruler, Orhan Ghazi intensified the blockade. Due to the Turks’ fair treatment of the local population in conquered territories, many Greek communities near Iznik advised the city’s residents to cooperate with the Ottomans, and some even joined the Turkish forces.
Iznik was one of the most well-fortified cities in Anatolia, surrounded by strong walls. It was also a significant religious center for the Eastern Orthodox Church, further elevating its strategic importance.
Realizing the gravity of the situation, Byzantine Emperor Andronikos III ended his internal conflicts and personally led an army to Anatolia in 1329 AD to halt Orhan Ghazi’s conquests. His goal was to not only save Iznik but also reclaim lost Byzantine territories.
The Battle of Pelekanon (1329 AD)
Upon learning of Andronikos III’s arrival, Orhan Ghazi handed over Iznik’s siege to his son, Prince Suleiman, and led his army toward Izmit to confront the Byzantines. Andronikos III camped between Gebze and Eskihisar, planning to lure the Ottomans into open battle.
The battlefield favored the Byzantines, with their archers positioned on hills and the Sea of Marmara securing their rear. Andronikos hoped to draw the Ottoman forces into an unfavorable fight.
Orhan Ghazi, observing the battlefield from a hill, devised a clever strategy. He sent 300 cavalrymen to harass the Byzantine forces with hit-and-run archery attacks. Initially, the Byzantines held their ground, but as the Ottomans repeated this maneuver, Andronikos lost patience and ordered his cavalry to chase them.
This was exactly what Orhan Ghazi had planned. As the Byzantine cavalry moved forward, the Ottomans unleashed a devastating counterattack. The Byzantine forces were overwhelmed. During the chaos, Emperor Andronikos was wounded by an arrow in his leg. A false rumor spread that he had been killed, causing panic among his troops. Seizing this moment, Orhan Ghazi launched a full-scale assault.
Andronikos III barely escaped with a handful of men, fleeing back to Constantinople. A significant portion of his army perished—some were slain, others were taken prisoner, while many drowned trying to flee.
This victory marked Orhan Ghazi’s first major triumph against the Byzantine Empire. Following this success, he returned to Iznik to resume its siege.
The Fall of Iznik (1331 AD)
With the Byzantine emperor’s army defeated, Iznik had no hope for reinforcement. The city had no choice but to surrender. In 1331 AD, Orhan Ghazi triumphantly entered Iznik.
Orhan Ghazi reassured the citizens that their lives and property would be protected. He announced that everyone could continue their previous professions and freely practice their religion. That evening, Turkish soldiers publicly declared in the streets that no harm would come to the inhabitants.
The city’s Byzantine commander and some of his soldiers left for Constantinople by ship. However, due to Orhan Ghazi’s just governance, most residents chose to stay in Iznik rather than flee.
Conclusion
Thus, the most significant Byzantine city in Anatolia, Iznik, fell into Ottoman hands. This marked a crucial milestone in the expansion of the Ottoman Empire.
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