The empire was founded by Osman I, a tribal leader of the Kayı tribe, who declared independence from the Seljuk Sultanate of Rum. His small principality expanded through strategic alliances and military conquests.
Under Osman and his successors, the Ottomans expanded into Byzantine territories. The capture of Bursa in 1326 became their first major capital. By the mid-14th century, they crossed into Europe, conquering parts of the Balkans under leaders like Orhan and Murad I.
Murad I secured Ottoman dominance in the Balkans, though he died during the battle. His son, Bayezid I, continued expansion but was temporarily halted by Timur (Tamerlane) at the Battle of Ankara in 1402.
After a period of civil war, Mehmed I and Murad II restored Ottoman power. Mehmed II, known as Mehmed the Conqueror, achieved a monumental victory by capturing Constantinople in 1453, ending the Byzantine Empire and making it the new Ottoman capital, Istanbul.
Under Suleiman the Magnificent (r. 1520–1566), the empire reached its peak, expanding into Southeast Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. Suleiman's reign is remembered for its legal reforms, cultural achievements, and military prowess.
The Ottoman Empire became a dominant global power, controlling key trade routes and influencing world politics for centuries until its decline in the 17th century and eventual dissolution after World War I
Episode 4
( The tunnels )
