Story Of Murad I: Ottoman Sultan who annexed Byzantine Empire.

 

Source: Griekse.

Maybe, we know Ottoman Sultan who conquer Constantinople is Sultan Mehmed II /Muhammad al-Fatih. But, before Mehmed II s conquest, Ottoman Empire ever annexed Byzantine Empire. It is happened when era of Sultan Murad I ( ruled 1360-1389 AD). Ok, please read this article until end for get complete informations about this topic and dont forget, subscribe my blog for more informations about Islamic History and civilization. Ok, please start it.

Murad I,  who born at 1326 AD , is Ottoman Sultan who replaced his father, Orhan Gazi since 1360 AD. When Orhan die, Byzantine Empire tried  to captured several Muslim Territories at East Europe. And, at Murad I s era, several East Europe s territories such as Pelopponese and Epir under Byzantine Empire hegemony that centered at Constantinople. And , also exist Kingdom Of Serbia, that this kingdom oppresed this people. Also exist several kingdoms such as Albania and also several territories from Republic Of Venice and Kingdom Of Napoly.

Murad I, tried to conquest East Europe. At 1361-1362 AD, he conquer Chorlu and Luleburgaz and at 1368 AD, he conquer Edirne from Byzantine Empire. According Ottoman Historian, Mehmet Maksudoglu, Edirne is most important city for Byzantine Empire after Constantinople. Theodore Spandounes, one 16 TH Historian, such as quoted by Susan Wise, said Murad has big power at Ottoman Empire.

And, when Murad I ruled, Byzantine Empire ruled by John V. John V, must faced King Of Serbia, Stevan Dushan at west and Ottoman at his north territories. He must ask helped to Pope Innocentius VI for get ships and  army s helped. When Byzantine Empire under John V anxious, Ottoman Empire was annexed Adrianople and Didymoteichon, two biggest city for Byzantine Empire. Murad I, replaced name of Adrianople to Edirne and make this city at Ottoman Capital at Thrace ( Turkish Territories at East Europe).

Murad I, send Commander Evrenos Beg to West Thrace and Commander Lala Sahin Pasha to conquer Filibe. Byzantine Empire under John V, make covenant with  Ottoman Empire, when John V confess, all territories that conquered by Ottoman Empire, became Ottoman Empire s right and John V cannot captured his territories from Ottoman Empire. He also cannot make alliance with Ottoman s enemy for attack Ottoman Empire. John V also must send his army for help Ottoman Army at their expedition at Anatolia. According Maksudoglu, Murad I became  legitimate ruler for Byzantine Empire.

At 1364 AD, one Byzantine General provocated Serbia for attack Ottoman Empire. Pope Urban V gather coalition army that consist of Serbia, Hungary, Bulgary, and Wallachia for attack Ottoman Empire.  And, 60.000 Army from Hungary, Serbia, and Wallachia under King Of Hungary, Lajos gather for drive out Ottoman Army from East Europe. East European Alliances , want forward to Edirne and they stopped at River Of Merich. Murad I, send Ottoman Army under Hajj Ilbergi for spy on this coalition army, And , Hajj Ilbergi can defeat this coalition army.

This battle called by Sirp Sindigi (  Turkish: the desertion of Serbians). At 1363/1364 AD, Murad I conquer territories Of Biga that under Roger de Flor, one Byzantine Commander from German. Roger lead 10.000 mercenaries from Sicily, Aragon, Navarre, France, Italy, German and other Europe s states. Roger II is Byzantine Emperor, Andronicus II s mercenary commander at 1303 AD. At 1307 AD, Roger killed at Edirne and at 1363 /1364 AD, Murad I can annexed Biga and clean this city from Catalan s mercenaries. At 1365 AD, Murad I captured Dubrovnik. And, at 1366 AD, Gallipoli, one important port for Ottoman Empire, captued by one Knight from Savoy, Amadeus II who give Gallipoli to Byzantine Empire.

But, it is dont influenced to Ottoman Empire that was strengthen their existension at Thrace. Sultan Murad I, threat Christiant and Jewish at Ottoman Territories with good threatment. One Christian Group, Bogomil choose life under Ottoman Goverment for avoid Christiant Ruler s oppresed.  Sultan Murad I also make regular cavalry for Ottoman Army, named Sipahi that get land from conquest area.  Murad I also conquest one emirate at Anatolia, Emirate Of Karaman at 1387 AD, that this emirate is Seljuq Empire s successor at Anatolia.

At 1368 AD, Murad I lead 60.000 Ottoman Army faced 100.000 Europeans Army under Lazar, Ruler Of Serbia that consist from Hungarians, Wallachian, Polishs, and Czechs. At this battle, Ottoman Army achieve victory, but Murad I die because killed by one Serbian Nobleman, Milos Obilic. May Allah Subhanahuwataala bless him.

Refrences:

 Maksudoglu, Prof.DR.Mehmet: The Untold History Of Ottoman: Menelusuri Daulah Islamiyah Terbesar di Dunia dan Pemerintahannya, Pustaka Al-Kautsar, 2023 M.

Bauer, Susan Wise: Sejarah Dunia Zaman Renaisans: Dari Penemuan Kembali Aristoteles Sampai Penaklukan Konstantinopel, Penerbit Elex Media Komputindo,2021.

Anonymous: Murad I | Ottoman Sultan & Conqueror of Constantinople | Britannica, accesed 13 May 2025, 10: 07 AM.