Warrior turns leader, Osman I unites Turks under Ottoman Empire .

Key Dates:

Born: 1258

Abolition of Caliphate: 1924

Osman announced independence of Seljuk Sultanate of Rum: January 17, 1299

Expanding control over Sakarya River and Sea of Marmora: 1308

Osmon became chief: 1280

Reign of Osmon: 3 May 1299- 4 September 1299

Bio and rise of Empire:

Osman was born in 1258 and was the son of Ertrugal Gazi was the prince of the Byzantine Bithynia in Northwestern Anatolia. In Turkish history, it is believed that Osman had a dream one night to expand the Ottoman Empire. This dream has become the founding myths of the empire. Osman reunited the Seljuk Empire and formed the Ottoman Empire. Short after his rule he continued to cut off trade routes of the Byznatine forcing their local rulers to surrender. Much of his empire consisted of Turkic populations fleeing from the Mongols. Many of them included Ghazi warriors, or fighters of Islam. Osman quickly started to expand his empire avoiding conflict with other powerful Turkish empire. He took over Phrygia and Byzantine. These were often led by peaceful contracts of marriage or defeated Byzantine rulers. Osman’s state was rising and pressed up against the Byzantine Empire and many joined his growing state. This made him becoming a Ghazi very important. Osman greatly expanded his territory through the 1300’s. The Turkish would call their state “Devlet-i-Osmaniyee” or the “State of Osman.”

The Byzantines fled the Anatolia countryside and it was taken over by Ghazi warriors and Dervishes. Osman expanded north along the course of the Sakarya River and South towards Sea of Marmora. In 1308, he participated in the conquest of the Byzantine city of Ephesus and Bursa.

Inspirations and culture:

He was inspired by Ahi Sheikh and Sheik Edebali. He met a dervish (Sufi) group in his home often. Osman was not well into Sunni Islam compared to his son Orhan however he did follow Sharia Law and Din-i-Muhammadi. Before handing over his empire to his son, he told him to be very careful and follow religion under his rule. An important quote summarizes what he told his son :

“Son! Be careful about the religious issues before all other duties. The religious precepts build a strong state. Do not give religious duties to careless, faithless and sinful men or to dissipated, indifferent or inexperienced people. And also do not leave the state administrations to such people. Because the one without fear of God the Creator, has no fear of the created. One who commits a great sin and continues to sin can not be loyal. Scholars, virtuous men, artists and literary men are the power of the state structure. Treat them with kindness and honor. Build close relationship when you hear about a virtuous man and give wealth and grant him…Put order the political and religious duties. Take lesson from me so I came to these places as a weak leader and I reached to the help of God although I did not deserve. You follow my way and protect Din-i-Muhammadi [Islam] and the believers and also your followers. Respect the right of God and His servants. Do not hesitate to advise your successors in this way. Depend on God’s help in the esteem of justice and fairness, to remove the cruelty, attempts in every duty. Protect your public from enemy’s invasion and from the cruelty. Do not behave any person in an unsuitable way with unfairness. Gratify the public and save all of their sake.”

The sword of Osman was of important cultural significance and traditions. It was used during the coronation ceremony of the sultans of the Ottoman Empire. The ceremony started by his father-in-law, Sheik Edebali. The sword is highly symbolic and important and shows a warrior.