Osman I is the founder of the Ottoman Empire. The most powerful state that has existed for more than six centuries.
There is very little reliable factual information about Osman, since history was not documented in his time. Most of the information about him is based on oral traditions and legends.
1258 year. On the territory of Asia Minor, there are two large states that are in a state of decline.
The Byzantine Empire, which has already collapsed into three parts, and the Konya Sultanate, a fragment of the Seljuk Empire, which lost all its power due to the Mongols' raids.
Between it is a small beylik with the center in the city of Segyut, which is ruled by the leader of the Kayi tribe Ertugrul. In this year, his youngest son Osman is born to him and his wife Halime.
Despite the fact that Osman will become the first ruler of the Ottoman Empire, Ertugrul is rightfully considered the father of this empire. Thanks to his courage, patience and perseverance, he began the great conquests that later formed the Ottoman state. During his reign, Ertugrul managed to conquer many Greek settlements and transfer significant territories to his son.
After the death of Ertuğrul, the transfer of power to Osman was overshadowed by a family conflict. The leader was chosen by elections at the council of beys. The tribe was divided into those who were for Osman and those who voted for his uncle Dundar. The latter understood that Osman had strong support and gave him the championship. The conflict was smoothed over for some time, but still the uncle constantly intervened in management, criticized Osman's decisions, undermined his reputation and ensured that one day Osman killed him with a millet by shooting from a bow.
In his early years, Osman met a respected theologian, Sheikh Edebali. The sheikh became Osman's mentor, helping shape and develop the policies of the growing Ottoman state. And also gave him his daughter Rabie-Balu.
Under the influence of Sheikh Edebali, Osman became a deeply religious person and managed to ignite the flame of faith among his compatriots. It was he who turned the predatory raids of the nomadic horde into a holy war, and ordinary robbers in Gazi - fighters for the faith.
The first battles with the Byzantines for Osman in the status of the leader of the tribe became unsuccessful. They went down in history as the Battle of Ermenibel and the Battle of Domanich. Many of Osman's soldiers were killed, and he himself had to flee. In these battles, his brother Savdzhi and his own nephew were killed.
But, these defeats did not break the warlike spirit of the brave warrior, and in 1291 he captured the fortress of Karajahisar. It was an important point, controlling the road to Nicaea and Constantinople, and Osman made it the center of his beylik. Then, within 8 years, Osman captured the fortresses of Bilecik, Yarhisar, Inegol and Yenishehir.
In 1299 Osman Gazi declared his beylik an independent state. He ordered to read the Friday prayer in his own name - the name of the new ruler.
After capturing impressive territories, Osman began to systematically move the borders of his beylik towards the sea. In 1308, the first sea expedition was made, during which the island of Imrali was captured. This island was used by the Byzantines as a supply base for Bursa.
In 1316, the Kaya detachments took possession of Mount Olympus Minor, from which the city of Bursa was clearly visible. In 1321, Osman captured the port of Mudanya, after which Bursa was cut off from the world. This siege turned out to be the last military campaign of the founder of the future empire. Bursa was an important strategic point that allowed to control trade routes. After the conquest of the city, it became the capital for Osman's son, Orhan, who became the successor of power.
It is authentically known about two wives of Osman: Rabiya Bala-Khatun and Malkhun-Khatun. Rabiya was the mother of Alaeddin and Malhun was the mother of Orhan.
In addition to Orhan and Alaeddin, the chronicles also call Choban, Hamid, Melik, Pazarlu and Savdzhi sons of Osman. He also had a daughter, Fatma.
All Ottoman historiography depicts Osman as a half-holy man.
Osman was a wise, patient ruler, whom people sincerely respected and were ready to serve him faithfully.
The population of the state was called "Ottomans" until the beginning of the 20th century, until the empire collapsed. The activities and personality of Osman as the founder of the state and dynasty are highly valued by historians of both the past and the present.
Osman Gazi died in 1324 and, according to legend, he chose the place for his grave himself. He wished to be buried in Bursa at the top of the hill where the Byzantine monastery of Saint Elijah stood at that time.
Initially, Osman was buried in Sogut in the mausoleum next to his father Erturgul. Only after the conquest of Bursa, son Orhan fulfilled the will of his father and transferred his remains to Bursa.