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What an attack, don't ask, racing with wind The land became Anatolia My hands are up in the air, praying To see the Crescent at Byzantium
Ships coming from land, down to sea Saints, Dervishes starting to chant "Hu" From now on, we own this beauty I said let me go sajdah, to praise
He is a world-renowned Sultan with His foresight, bravery, political and military genius and idealism of serving for Islam
The conquest from Habibullah's (SAV) tidings and the Sultan accomplishing that tiding
The Conqueror of the conquerors, who closed an era and starting a new era
The Conqueror, Fatih Sultan Mehmet Han
Opening the era of Renaissance, inventing the Shahi Canons, galloping his horse to sea, riding his ships on land
And conquering the beautiful city of Istanbul sealed his name as "The Conqueror" in to history, are the first things comes to mind
But not only those, his personality, his principles is setting examples for us today too
His political genius made the world bound to Empire, the importance he gave to justice, the free and respectful approach to science and art,
And most importantly, his devotion to serve İslam, his understanding of Tevhid,
is bringing the need of reviewing him from every aspect in order to understand him
As Historians noted, he was born on the of March 29th
His Mother Huma Hatun was a very religious women, giving high regards to education.
His Father was the 6th Sultan of Ottoman Empire, Sultan Murad II Han.
He spent some of his childhood in the Edirne Palace.
Then he stayed till he was around 10, in Bursa at a house which turned to a museum now.
Later with famous hoca's and scholars of the time, he was assigned to be the Governor of City of Manisa.
Shahzade Mehmet II, like all the other shahzades followed the Ottoman tradition of holding a government post
As this practice turn to a tradition, the aim was to have Shahzades gain experience in administrative and military fields,
so that they'll develop their ability
When Shahzade Mehmet II was sent to Manisa, responsibility of his education was given to Molla Gurani
After giving this mission to Molla Gurani, Sultan Murat II gave him a stick, if Shahzade Mehmet ever becomes lazy,
he told Molla Gurani to beat him up with this stick.
Molla Gurani leaves without saying anything, later on, to give lessons he enters Shahzade Mehmet's room.
As he was holding the stick Sultan Murat gave, Shahzade Mehmet astonished, asks "What are you going to do with this stick?"
Molla Gurani answers religiously, I'll remove the dusts of laziness from you...
This is your father's order.
Molla Gurani, never used this stick and Shahzade Mehmet never had dusts of laziness as Molla Gurani calls it.
Besides the lessons, he had to choose a profession as it was an Ottoman tradition.
There were various reasons of this tradition of Shahzades having a profession...
First of all it was the high respect for Prophets.
Because every prophet had a profession.
On the other hand the Ahi organization that had great role in the foundation of Ottoman Empire,
all their Sheikhs and murids had a profession and that had an affect on this tradition.
Shahzade Mehmet chose to become a cannon molder as if this was his first step to conquer Istanbul.
Prophet David's tale in Quran was an ifluence on Shahzade Mehmet's choice of profession.
Prophet David when he was the ruler of his country, he used to disguise and go around in public.
Again, one day as he was disguised,he approaches to a person who does not know him and asks "how do you know David?"
The man says"David is good" says and adds,"however, he has a flaw.He supports his family by receiving a salary from the government`s treasury "the man says.
So,after that moment,Prophet David (AS) begs to Allah (ST) and asks him to grant him a trade.
Allah (ST) grant him the miracle of being able to melt the iron in his hands like a dough and give it any shape he wants.
After that day,Prophet David (AS),supports his family by what he earns from forging.
In the light of all these,starting to learn the trade of forging cannon Shahzada Mehmed,would be appearing with a different side of himself,also will be mentioned as an inventor someday.
when he reach to 13 years of age,his father Sultan Murad 2nd wishes to leave the throne to him and to give himself to religion and to take a rest.
With that consideration,by making a 10 years duration treaty with Hungarians,one of the swore enemies of Ottomans
he leaves the throne to his son Mehmed 2nd on July 12th 1444.
He then would retreat to Manisa.
this date is the date of Sultan Mehmed 2nd`s first ascending throne.
First Candarli Halil Pasha and some viziers opposed to a 13 years old boys ascending throne and becoming a Sultan,yet,Murad 2nd stood firm.
Hungarians wanted to take advantage of Ottomans having a 13 old on the throne, although there was a pact, they started their invasion.
They got together fast to prepare a crusade and enter to Ottoman land.
While all these were going on, Grand Vizier Halil Pasa and other Viziers convince young Sultan to have his father Murat II be back in throne and head of army.
Sultan Mehmet II in the letter he sent to his father, asks to have him come back to the throne.But he couldn't get a positive respond.
After this with a second letter Sultan Mehmet make his statement firm and clear.
If you're the Sultan please come and lead your armies, if I'm the Sultan then obey my order and lead the armies.
Murat II comes back to throne and leads the armies, on November 9, 1444, wins the war called "Varna Victory"
After this, Murat II stayed in the throne and his son Mehmet II assigned to become Governor of Manisa.
During his Shahzadah era, Mehmet II gave priority to his education, besides Arabic and Farsi, he was learning Greek and Latin.
As he was learning horse riding and archery day time, he was on his knees learning the knowledge from his mentors night time.
Since the day he heard Molla Husrev, explaining the Hadith of Prophet AS, regarding conquering Constatinople
He was going trough deep thoughts, studying history books and doing research, making comments on why the city had been sieged so many times,
but never been conquered...
In one aspect it could have been said for him that,
to attain the tidings of Prophet ASV and conquer Istanbul/Constantinople was his youth dream.
One day he told this to his mentor:
If I sit on the throne one day, I'll try to make this tiding of Prophet ASV happen
And you'll guide me with your knowledge and enlight my way with your prayers.
Shahzade Mehmet II also has a memory of this subject.
When he was a little kid, his father Sultan Murat II, took him to go to Haci Bayram Veli together.
Sultan Murat II always had the taught of conquering Istanbul in his mind.
When he shared his thoughts with Haci Bayram Veli, Haci Bayram Veli with smiling told:
My Sultan, Istanbul will be conquered by this kid and by my beardless murid.
The kid he was referring to was Sultan's son Mehmet II, and the beardless was, his young murid Ak Semseddin.
After Sultan Murad II's passed away, Shahzade Mehmet II comes back to the throne again.
Young Sultan had Istanbul in his mind, to conquer the city...
But there are other problems to be solved... Karamanoglu Ibrahim Bey had an uprising and
he was in the process of founding the state of Karaman.
He was in agreement with Venetians too...
Sultan Mehmet II gathers his army and enters Karaman lands.
As Ibrahim Bey becomes helpless without the support of Venetians and other seigniory,
he asks forgiveness with his letter he sends...
Young Sultan Mehmet II thinks that it's not to time exaggerate internal matters and forgives Ibrahim Bey.
In the meantime, Byzantian delegates arrives to his encampment and requests to raise the annuity of Shahzade Orhan whom had given as hostage
Byzantine wanted to use Shahzade Orhan as a trump card and if the annuity is not raised, they were mentioning that,
Shahzade Orhan will be provided with soldiers and will be released
Byzantine, seeing that young Sultan`s being busy with Karamanoglu ,as an opportunity to give him one more trouble and discourage him.
Sultan Mehmet thinking all of that,makes an evaluation, then says to delegates,
tell your Emperor,we shall return to Edirne soon.We shall think about his request.
Hearing these words,delegates voice their displeasure but, Sultan continues with a harsh voice.
It`s been told you to leave.Know that, what our power may conquer,even your Emperors`imagination may not reach.
Delegates leave the encampment.
Sultan Mehmet, turns to the ones in the room and says,"to silence this owl for eternity became our incumbent.Make preparations,we are returning."
Thinking of conquering istanbul with a growing passion inside him,the young Sultan starts to move, to execute the plans in his head one by one.
He comes in front of Anatolia Castle that was built by sultan Bayazid at 1395.
His idea is to buld another castle opposite of Anatolian Castle and cut the way of Constantinople by the sea completely.
He turns to the ones next to him and says,My heavenly forefather Sultan Bayazid Khan built this castle at such proper place.
So, we should built right across this castle another one.
With that construction starts to build Rumelia Castle.
The lumber was brought from Izmit and Black sea area,heavy duty stones and lime from different parts of Anatolia.
Construction of the castle continues at a dizzling speed.
During the construction of the Castle,the architect of the castle Muslihiddin Aga,Vizier Sahabettin Pasha and Sultan Mehmed`s teacher Molla Husrev were physically worked by carrying stones which gave the workers extra boost.
While the construction was continuing,Byzantin Emperor again was worried and felt disturbed from this situation and sent messengers to request for the construction to be halted.
Sultan Mehmed`s answer was harsh for this kind of a request.
"How to use our land belongs to us.We don`t have intention of asking permission from anyone for that.
Which power can hinder us.Rumelia seashores belongs to us."
After a day and night nonstop work,the construction of the Rumelia Castle was completed in such a short time as 5 months.
With that The Black Sea way was closed for The Byzantine.
After the Castle was finished,Sultan Mehmet goes back to Edirne and starts to work on the preparations and speeding up the work there .
Istanbul`s really strong castle walls were well known and it was not possible to knock them down with the cannons which were available that time.
Knowing all these and realizing that he needs to built enormous size new cannons,sultan Mehmet gave this job to a very good cannon molder master, called Hungarian Urban to mold the new cannons according to his plans.
On one hand ,being busy with molding new cannons and testing them,on the other hand closely involving the training of the soldiers,
The Sultan was thinking about possible problems that might happen with other neighboring countries and making plans not to deal with these matters while he is busy with conquering Istanbul.
A peace treaty was signed with Hungarians for 3 years,reneved the present peace treaty with the venetians.
He sent raiders ,led by Turhan Bey and his sons to surpass the despots of Mora,brothers of the Byzantine Emperors to Mora peninsula.
Watching all these preparations while paying great deal of importance to even the smallest details,Padishah was working day and nights and especially
while working at nights,he was taking care of his prayers and worship.
The time he was spending for sleep was hardly 2 hours.
His faith,his determination and his passion of the conquest wasn`t letting young Sultan to sleep.
while Ottomans were in full preparation,on the other side,fear and panic was dominating the Byzantine.
Byzantine Emperor Dragezes and the notables of Byzantine were struggling to get some help from their neighbors.
Emperor was ready to pay big compensates for the helps that would come.
Besides,there was not seem to be another solution for them.
King of Hungaria Naibihunyat ,has said that he could help in exchange of getting Silivri and Misivri and King of Catalan asked for the island of Limni for sending help.
Accepting these requests right away, Emperor Dragezes,apply to Pope Nicolas too for help.
He promises to accept to uniting the catholic and the orthodox churches if a help comes from the Pope.
Receiving this offer,Pope, sends Cardinal of Poland Izolor with a full group of Priests to Istanbul.
Both sects hold a ceremony together at St Sophia.However,some of the priests in Istanbul are against to the idea of joining two sects.
Being the most important statesman second to Emperor,Grand Duke Notoras lining with those priest, shows his reaction in this matter by saying;
"I`d rather to see Turkish Turban in Istanbul, other than seeing Catholic Latin head dress."
Yet,Emperor was ready to give in to anything to stop Ottomans.
Completely corrupted Byzantine had one thing that was still strong,it`s castle walls.
Always bragging for its strength,Byzantine had one thing he could still be proud of, it`s walls.
Finally,the time of start has come for the Conquest.
When the Ottoman Army departed from Edirne by Sultan`s order, date was showing March 23th 1453.
The people were spilled on the roads,praying for the Sultan and his army and saying ,
"The commander that Holly Prophet(ASV)was praising would be you inshallah!"
On one side ,religion scholars Aksemseddin,Mullah Gurani,Mullah Husrev,Fahreddin Acemi,Molla Zeyrik and others
On the other side, Grand Vizier Candarli Halil Pasha,Vizier Zaganos Pasha,Saruca Pasha other viziers,commanders and renowned by the world with its glory which will open a new era,Ottoman soldiers.
After a 14 days of journey,the army arrives in front of Istanbul on April 5th 1453.
The giant cannons that have been pulled by 60 water buffalo and 400 soldiers are positioned in front of the Castle.
On the 6th of April Friday,a line of blockade was formed from Ayvansaray to reaching to Yedikule.
Padishah`s tent,also called Otag-i Humayun was set up in front of Topkapi and also,his teachers` tents were set up around his tent so, he could consult with them anytime he needs to.
The historians` accounts about the size of ottomans Army`s ,given numbers are different.
While some historians talk about 150 to 200 thousand soldiers,especially the number 300 thousands which was claimed by Rumelian is remarkable.
For the conquest,on one side Sultan Mehmet and Ottoman Army has come to City`s doors,
on the other hand, Byzantine has been taken some precautions to defend the City.
Earlier ,city walls were checked and repaired,cannons were installed in crenels,catapults were made that throw stone and flame ball.
Furthermore,entrance of Halic (Golden Horn)was closed using giant chains underneath the sea from one end to other end.
By doing that,the idea was obstructing of Ottoman Navy ships from entering that way.
Right behind those thick chains,with 20 odd sized ships,an experienced navy commander and soldiers were positioned.
As an addition to all these preparations,deep trenches in front of the walls were filled with water and one years worth of food and water for the City was stored also.
With all that preparations done,Emperor was telling that they were in safety now and no body could destroy The Byzantine anymore and
he was saying that, young Ottoman Padishah had an unrealistic desire and that desire was going to stick in his gizzard.
After the preparations were done,Sultan Mehmet sends his vizier Mahmud Pasha to Emperor.
Vizier Mahmud Pasha delivers these addressing the Emperor;
My Padishah,Son of Sultan Murat,Sultan Mehmet Khan demands you to surrender the City unconditionally.
If you surrender it,no one will be harmed.
you will be free to go anywhere you wish with your personage.
Our religion orders us, to treat unresisting enemy with goodness.
However, the Emperor gets angry hearing these words.He replies in a harsh mode.
My religion too ,orders me to protect this holy city, considered as the heart of the Christianity.
Tell your master to go away!Don`t throw himself into the fire..
Vizier Mahmud Pasha,smiles to the answer of Emperor and replies;
"We are a nation which loves the fire."
Finally, with the arrival of the Ottoman Navy,the great Sahi cannons started to rumble and first steps were taken for the Conquest.
Rums,watching from the hilltops, seeing the gigantic cannons` making loud noises and opening 2 lengths holes caused them being seized by horror and fear.
Yet,The Emperor and commander in chief Justiniani were still thinking that, the Ottoman army had to go back not being able to pass the walls.
The holes that were opened in the walls ,were being repaired in the darkness of the night.
Sultan Mehmet,gives the order to take action to Admiral Baltaoglu Sulaiman Bey,therefor, he sends some of the navy ships to conquer the islands around Istanbul and himself tries to cut the chains covering Halic and attempts to enter into Halic.
The battle was very hard and cutting the chain was not possible.
Conquering Istanbul, without entering Golden Horn (Halic) was very difficult.
In the mean time,Genoese ships, that Pope had sent to help, carrying 400 armed head to toe Genoese soldiers already entered to the waters of Istanbul.
Padishah ,immediately gave order to Baltaoglu Sulaiman Bey to stop the ships.
Leaving with a few ships Sulaiman Bey,could`nt stand a change ,against to the biggest war ships of that era, with his comparable small and low decked ships and
had to retreat ,after intense battles`with great losses.
Watching all that`s happening from seashore and riding his horse into the sea with fury Sultan Mehmet,by yelling;
"Hey,how could you be defeated"was showing his intolerance of this failure.
He would remove Admiral Sulaiman Bey after this incident.
What needed was to pass the chains, surrounding Halic and the navy ships behind those chains and to destroy that navy.
There must be a way to do that too.
There was a Genoese colony on the Galata side that time.
Sultan Mehmet had an agreement with those Genoeses whose living in that colony, to leave them alone.
In return,the Genoeses was not going to help Byzantine.
Although genoeses were two timing,Sultan Mehmet was not touching them.
During that war, one delegate from Geneoses comes and comes before The Padishah.
Genoeses has a complaint to Padishah.
He says that some of the cannon balls thrown at Byzantine ships ,fell down on their houses and they were devastated by that,
and for that reason ,Sultan needs to come up with a solution for that problem.
Sultan Mehmet Khan replies to Genoese by saying,"Allright,we shall find a way."
Thinking about heavily on this matter,Padishah knew that all the cannons that was made until then, were hurling straight balls and these kind of incidents were happening because of this.
Such a cannon should be built,so when the cannon ball was hurled,it should ascend in the air for a while ,then while cambering should hit the target.
To put that idea into action,he immediately makes plans and drawings, then molds the cannon that was in his mind,
and by taking the helm of the cannon,himself shoots the cannon.
What he thought was happened.The ball first, took off by ascending ,then landed by cambering.
During these test shootings, one of the enemy ships that was in Halic was hit and sank.
So, a new leaf was turned over in the history about weapons ,and what was called Humbara then ,it is written in the history as a weapon,invented by Sultan Mehmet himself,called today by the name of Mortar.
For the sake of the Conquest ,the war was continuing at full speed,despite of the cannons pounding the walls,collapsed walls were being repaired at night wasn`t giving way and making the Conquest more difficult.
Looking for another way ,The Padishah knew the necessity of The navy`s being lowered into Halic before, and was thinking that it was not possible to conquer Istanbul without entering to Halic.
While working at night, busy with making plans and thinking about the matter of how to bring the Navy into Halic,
Padishah suddenly sprung to his feet and came out of his tent, with the idea just came to his mind.
Since he cannot pass through the sea, to enter Halic because of the chains,
he was going to bring the Navy over the land into Halic.
Immediately meeting with his viziers,Padishah tells his idea to them.
Hearing this idea ,viziers could not hide their amazement,they said ,it would be impossible to execute this idea.
While they were still thinking about the possibility of this idea,Padishah, with a determined and harsh tone speaks;
We have come to fulfill a glad tiding from The Holy Prophet (AS). With the permission and help of Allah(CC), We make the impossible possible.
Run! Find workers,find handymen!From Dolmabahce to Beyoglu`s ridges open a wide road!Along the road side lay down slipways!Buy oil from Geneoses and oil the slipways.
Yet,keep this matter top secret,so Byzantine would not realize what we are doing.
Decision was made and for the people who are there,there was no option other than execute these orders.
According to the order that was given,the road is made and the slipways starts to being lay down.
After the phase of oiling the slipways,the carriages to put down under the ships and the water buffalos and the oxes to pull the ships would be prepared.
All these works would be done secretly and at a rattling rate.
Seeing young Padishah`s efforts and the passion for the Conquest,his teachers now are sure of the Conquest.
Mullah Gurani, with his murids comes to the presence of Padishah.
Beside his everyday dress,he has a shroud wrapped around his neck.
And turning toward Sultan Mehmet speaks;
My Sultan;The conquest is going to be given to you InshaAllah.Do not give up.I have come with my mureeds.Our shrouds are around our necks.We took an oath on the way to Conquest until we die.
Moved by hearing these words,young Padisah replies to his teacher;thank you oh my teacher.We did not think of giving up even for one moment.
Either we conquer Istanbul or we die for this cause.
Please pray for us.
And, the event of walking the ships over the land in one night,which would still be a dumbfounding event in the worlds` war history starts and ends up with success.
The ships now are in the waters of Halic.
On the Sunday morning of April 22nd,waking up to cannon firings of Ottoman Navy`s,Byzantines were stupefied and looked like they were stuck between delusion and reality.
while Byzantine were thinking how this could happen,Genoese and Venetien navies thinking they were in safety in Halic,now the were caught between two fires.
While all these were happening,Zaganos Pasha who was ordered to make the soldiers to cross to the other side of Halic,starts the work of building a bridge.
The bridge is made by, putting together more than one thousand barrells and on top of that making tie beams tied up together by chain ropes.
The bridge, by the way it`s built and by being the first bridge, built in Istanbul is a first.
Every passing minute working against him,the only way for the Emperor is to sit with Padishah and offer him a treaty.
With this intention,he sends his messengers to Padishah on April 23th 1453 and presents this offer:
if the siege is lifted,he was ready to pay the amount of tax determined by the padishah,he would give all the land up to the Istanbul`s castle walls to Ottomans,
also he would accept that choosing the officers whom responsible of the City`s security,would be given To Padishah.
Young Sultan's answer to this proposal will be clear and unequivocable.
He won't be giving up this passion and console with other relief.
He sent this message to the emperor:
"We're Son of Sultan Murat Han, Mehmet Han, We're chasing the tidings of our Prophet. Tell to your master,
to stop defending and surrender the city. If he does that we'll give Morea Peninsula's domination to him.
We'll also give seigniory to his brothers, if he won't comply we'll enter the city by force.
Messengers brought this message to the emperor.
After thinking about it for a while, Dragazes decides to defend the city till the last drop of their blood.
On May 26th, Saturday he ordered to have St. Mary's big portrayal to be circulate at city's public square and pray.
Their last resort, as they believe, is to ask protection from St. Mary's holy portrayal.
Whole city came together at the square, behind the priest and nuns carrying St. Mary's holy portrayal.
They carried the portrayal along the city walls, believing that protection will come from it.
Around Edirnekapi region, portrayal falls to the ground, facing down
Suddenly break of a storm, followed by thunders and lightnings, frightens everybody.
Gathered crowd takes this as a bad sign and leaves.
Evening of the same day, Sultan Mehmet, holds a meeting with his hoca's, viziers and commanders in his marquee.
After an assessment, Sultan told them :
"All of you made big sacrifices, but we want more from you. Now you have to take this city. We want the good news from you not excuses."
And finally, after midnight, with the order of attack, Ottoman Army's calling "Allah Allah" drown out even the loud Shahi Canons.
Attack towers were brought near the city walls, Bizantiums were not able to close the holes opened by cannons.
Mola Gurani and Ak Semseddin were at the fire line advising and encouraging the soldiers.
21 years old Sultan could not stand still, riding his grizzled horse, saying "Ya Allah Bismillah Brave Ones"
"Today is the day, day of Gayret, keep going" and he kept coming to the front lines.
Seeing their Sultan like this, soldiers were encouraged more and more.
The heroic attacks and extraordinary bravery started to bring the sings of conquer.
Before the day of the attack, Ulubatli Hasan, who went to Sultan, poured out his sorrow of not being in the front line,
now was trying to be the first one entering the city, to raise the flag on city walls.
As he was wounded, entered trough the holes opened by cannons, he was climbing the top of city walls.
Ulubatli Hasan's body was riddled with the arrows, but still he was standing strong.
About 30 other soldiers was trying to climb as they saw him.
Angels were takings Hasan's arm, supporting this wounded warrior.
Finally as he raised Ottoman Flag on the city wall first time, Ulubatli Hasan was also the first warrior entering Istanbul, become a martyr...
His last words entered to the pages of history:
"Allah, don't let this flag be taken from here!"
Glorious Ottoman Soldiers entered the city from Topkapi, flags were raised at city walls, Veterans were praying Facr in Istanbul.
Conquer of Istanbul, Young Sultan, when he saw the flags around city walls, he opened his hands praising Allah.
"Endless Shukurs Rabbim, for allowing this weak and poor servant Mehmet, to reach these days"
With Ottoman Army entering the city, Byzantium chief commander Justinyani fled. Emperor Konstatin Dragazes died during the war.
That day was the opening of a new page, May 29, 1453 Tuesday, World entered a new era.
"Glorious Army" as praised by our Prophet ASW, led by Fatih Sultan Mehmet and accompanied with his Hoca's was entering the city.
When he came to the front of St Sophia, Fatih Sultan went to sajdah, asked it to be turned to a Mosque.
In front of the scared crowd of Byzantium, he ordered to threat them nicely.
As he got the "Conqueror" title, at 21 year of age, young Sultan, on June 1st prayed the first Jumu'ah at St. Sophia with a large crowd.
After the conquer of Istanbul, it became the capital of Ottoman Empire, following the victory of the military.
Now to glorify, embellish the city with new projects, come into question.
Ottomans starts to build new Madrasas, Mosques, public kitchens, hospices and hospitals.
One of the best examples are Fatih Mosque and Fatih University.
With it's Mosques, Madrasas, Public Kitchens and Hospitals, planned as a whole complex, it added meaning to the beauty of Istanbul.
After the conquest, these magnificent projects was embellishing the crown of Istanbul.
Following the conquest, Fatih started to work on other internal and external issues of Empire.
There were rumors that he had an agreement with Byzantium about Grand Vizier Candarli Halil Pasa
and that, he was collecting bribe from them. Furthermore Candarli Halil Pasa made proposals regarding removing the siege.
Fatih didn't look into this during the Conquer, he started expanding the investigation.
To the Grand Duke of Byzantium, Notaras, he asked why they tried to defend that much.
Notaras replies that someone from you adviced it, that Candarli was secretly sending letters telling them they have to resist.
Following this, Sultan Fatih, deposes Candarli Halil Pasa and gets him arrested.
After the conclusion of his investigation, Candarli Halil Pasa was executed on July 10, 1453.
Of course, conquering Istanbul was not Fatih Sultan's only victory.
But it was the biggest and it was the turning point.
He compared the Ottoman Empire to a human, saying that his one leg is Anatolia and the other leg is Balkans,
And that the head is Istanbul
After Istanbul's conquest, Silivri, Imroz, Limni, Enez, Midilli and Genoa also surrendered and many Christian countries became tributary states.
He conquered Serbia, got rid of Peloponnese Despots, he added Eflak and Bogdan lands to Ottoman Empire
He conquered Bosnia Hersek, destroyed Candaroglu seigniory and on 1461 ended the Empire of Trebizond.
1473 Otlukbeli and 1476 Bogdan wars ended with his victory.
These victories placed his leadership in history with great honor.
His high ethics, diligence, most importantly his faith and mission to serve Islam, explains clearly why and how he had these conquests
When he conquered Istanbul, all Christian world thought that he will tyrannize these people,
As they were the tyrants, torturing the people they took over, it was normal for them to think like that.
It was the first thing they think of...
On the contrary Fatih Sultan Mehmet, not only Istanbul but at all places he conquered, to the people living there,
from different faith and nations, instead of oppression and tyranny, treated them justly so that they'll live in comfort and peace...
Right after taking Istanbul, he asked Roman Orthodox Church in Istanbul, to choose their patriarch.
After the election of Ginadios, the new patriarch, he send him presents.
He also protected the Eastern Christians, who were under he oppression of Western Christians.
The understanding of the Justice at Fatih Sultan Mehmet's era can be explained by this impressive incident:
Sultan Fatih, was building a mosque, the project was given to Roman architect called, Ispilante,
During the construction although Fatih didn't want, Ispilante cuts some of the marble pillars.
Sultan Fatih gets very angry when he heard this.
He cuts Ispilante's hand without consulting with anyone.
Ispilante, brings the situation to Qadi (Judge) of Istanbul , Sari Hizir Celebi.
After reviewing the case, Qadi Hizir Celebi calls for the Sultan.
Fatih Sultan Mehmet comes to court with this call, as he was about to take a seat, Qadi Hizir Celebi stops him and says:
"You'll be confronted with your accuser, stand up"
Sultan stands up and confronts with Ispilante.
Ispilante was complaining, Sultan is accepting that he cut his hand.
After listening witnesses Qadi Hizir Celebi reads his verdict.
"The one who cuts the hand of the architect, his hand will be cut too"
Retaliation is in order. As Sultan was listening the verdict in silence, Ispilante was on his knees, crying and saying:
"I gave up on my case, with this kind of Justice, I'm becoming Muslim too, don't cut Sultan's hand"
With his request, they change court's order. New order is for Sultan to give a nice home to Ispilante, he'll take care of his family and pay everything.
Case is resolved like this, everybody dismissed and there was only Qadi and Sultan left in court.
Fatih Sultan Mehmet, by showing his sword to Qadi Hizir Celebi, says:
"If you'd be afraid of my kingship, favor me and make an unjust verdict, Billahi I'd cut your head off with this sword!"
Following his words, Qadi Hizir Celebi, shows the mace he hide under his seat, says:
"My Sultan, if you'd ever be proud with your kingship and disrespect the court of Sharia, don't listen the verdict,
Billahi, with this maze, I'd crush your head"
Fatih's submission to the Justice, as well as the Judge's obedience to the Sharia, made to distinction between a Sultan and a Roman architect
With it's Justice, high ethics and devotion to Islam, this Empire was raising on strong foundation.
Regarding Fatih Sultan Mehmet's personality, his manners and high moral standing, all historians agrees.
With the advanced education and training, Fatih knew Greek, Latin, Italian, French, Arabic and Farsi languages.
He show importance and gave respect to the scholars, poets and artists.
He also wrote poems and used "Avni" as pen name.
He studied sience, invented the first howitzer used for conquering Istanbul, designed Shahi Cannons,
and he made history by making the ships sail on land to conquer Istanbul.
He invited most valuable scholars to Istanbul, supported their studies.
We brought the famous Scholar Ali Kuscu from Azerbaijan to Istanbul, supported him for his researches.
Sultan Fatih became renown not with only his sword, but also with his respects to science, art and cultural improvements.
He took good manners and high ethic as his doctrine.
His aim was not only add more lands, expand the empire or an ambition to rule the World.
If that was the case, he wouldn't bring projects to raise the welfare level to those places he conquered,
he wouldn't achieve incomparable scientific or artistic works, Mosques that would improve the social and cultural life,
Madrasas, hospitals, bazaars and many others, none would have been done...
During his 30 years of ruling, he conquered total of 17 countries, brought them the beauty of Islam and he very well deserved the name "Conquerer" .
He didn't want to enjoy the kingship, left the worldly desires aside.
His mentor, Molla Gurani's words always set an example for him:
"Our religion forbids vanity and prodigality, all Muslim Leaders obeyed this order.Khalifa Hz. Omer's best meal was olive and bread.
Because his people were eating olive and bread too. Don't forget this and live your life according to your people's life."
When he campaigned to conquer the Empire of Trebizond, army had difficulty to pass trough the scarped mountains of Gumushane
His endless determination, time to time made him to step down from his horse and led his soldiers to pass these dangerous mountain passes.
One of those times, mother of Uzun Hasan, Sare Hatun, approached to Sultan and told him:
"Ey Son, this place called Trabzon, does it worth all these efforts?"
The answer Fatih Sultan gave, is an indication of his level of faith and his main purpose:
"Ey Mother, this hardship is for the sake of Islam, we are holding the sword of Islam, if we'd not take this hardship, to call us veteran would be a lie"
His people had great love and respect for the Sultan, they always kept him in their prayers
One day, after returning a siege in Anatolia, as he was passing trough the city of Balikesir, his army took a break from the very hot weather.
Sultan with his lips cracked with thirst, noticed an old village woman approaching him. She offers a cup of yogurt drink.
Sultan noticed hay straws on top of the drink,he starts to blow to draw the straws away and drinks.
After finishing the drink he turns to the old woman and says: "May Allah be pleased with you, but these straws slowed me down to drink it in one sip"
Old woman's respond was beautiful:
"My Son, I deliberately placed those straws there, you're coming from a long road, sweating, I didn't want you to get sick by drinking the cold drink fast"
When time is 1481 Spring, they were gathering for a new campaign, nobody knew where the war is going to be...
Sultan Fatih was keeping it very secret, he wasn't explaining anything till last minute. "Even if a strand of my beard knows where we're going, I'll cut it off"
With the 300,000 soldiers of the tremendous Ottoman Army, on April 27 started to march from Topkapi Palace to Uskudar,
And stays in the imperial marquee. But his sickness was getting worse, as his ancestor he had gout. He was trying to stand against the pains,
wanted to complete this siege as well. This time conquest was Egypt. He was thinking that if he can complete this with victory he can die in peace...
But the disease was weaken him more and more...
For the treatment they called the surgeon general but it was not possible to treat it.
It spreaded to whole body and the pain in his joints was unbearable, but he didn't give up to continue the siege...
He ordered to march, altough Karamani Mehmet Pasa adviced him to rest more, he didn't listen. They adviced to prepare a waggon
He didn't want that either, preferred to ride the horse.
"Soldiers are used to see us on the horse, if they see in a wagon, there will be rumors, his urge of fight will get weak"
As they reached half way, his pains become unbearable, to ride his horse made him worse.
He couldn't resist the pain and insistence, Sultan had to ride on the wagon they prepared.
This was affecting Sultan Fatih deeply and his eyes were filling with tears.
At that night they came around the town of Gebze and they camped there.
Padishah become worse, he was suffering in pain, doctors gave him a pain killer called "sarab-i fari".
As he hardly drank the medicine, he started to have difficulty in breathing.
He said, "This medicine crumbled our lungs"
After a while he renews his Shahada and he leaves this world, the grand Padishah of the world, conquerer of the conquerers,
closed his eyes to this world on May 3 1481 and took his first step to eternal life...
The values he left behind, will have him always be remembered with rahmat and respect.
If Sultan Fatih was a bloodthirsty, tyrannizing ruler like Europe claims,
he would torture the Byzantiums as the rotten medieval Christians tortured the Muslims frightfully...
But Fatih never did that, he never chose slaughtering the kings and their people of the lands he conquered.
Historical facts made even the worst ones to tell the truth, who slandered him with unbelievable lies, how Fatih Sultan was gracious,
when he entered Istanbul how merciful he was to the scared people of the city.
One of front fortresses of the Western World, Istanbul, when conquered, as Western Civilization and Islam Civilization met,
Western Civilization was failed.
With Fatih as it was rebuilt, Istanbul become the center of Islam Civilization for hundreds of years, it also become the center of whole civilization.
Fatih Sultan Mehmet's success, his victories, the conquest that changed the world, of course can not be credited as one person's achievement.
But his faith, his devotion, his ruling of his army and his people, his respect for his hoca's and the scholars,
in short, the values he has in his personality, made him that important, that he is a turning point in history.
As we remember him one more time, not only by remembering his big conquest and his military genius,
but also to see what made him this important, we're impressing the necessity of seeing the values of his personality,
that made him Fatih and taking the real lessons out of it.
We commemorate him with Rahmet and respect...