Mehmed II the conqueror of Constantinople

Mehmed II, also known as Mehmed the Conqueror, was the Ottoman Sultan from 1451 to 1481. He is most famous for conquering Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire, in 1453, an event that marked the end of the Byzantine Empire and the beginning of the Ottoman Empire's rise as a major world power.

Mehmed was born in 1432, the son of Murad II, in Edirne, which is a city in the northwestern part of modern-day Turkey, located on the banks of the Tunca River. He was the fourth ruler of the Ottoman Empire. He was trained in military tactics and governance from a young age and was appointed as governor of the Ottoman province of Manisa at the age of 18. In 1451, at the age of 19, he succeeded his father as sultan.

Achievement

Conquest of Constantinople

 Mehmed II is best known for his conquest of Constantinople in 1453, which marked the end of the Byzantine Empire and the beginning of the Ottoman Empire's rise as a major world power.

Expansion of the Ottoman Empire

 After the fall of Constantinople, Mehmed II turned his attention to the remaining Byzantine territories in the Balkans. He conquered the cities of Adrianople and Varna, which gave the Ottomans control over most of the Balkans. He also led successful campaigns against the Moldavians and the Karamanids, expanding the Ottoman Empire's territory in Anatolia.

Centralization of government

 Mehmed II implemented a number of administrative reforms during his reign. He centralized the Ottoman government and created a system of tax farming, which allowed the state to collect taxes more efficiently.

Religious and cultural institutions

 Mehmed II also built many religious, educational, and cultural institutions in Constantinople after its conquest, such as the Fatih Mosque the most important mosque in Istanbul, madrasas, and libraries which was an important step in cultural and religious development.

Encouragement of trade and industry

 Mehmed II also encouraged the growth of trade and industry, particularly in the newly conquered territories. He established new trade routes, such as the ones between the Ottoman Empire and Italy, which brought wealth to the empire.

Military reform

Mehmed II also reformed the military, creating a more professional and centralized army. He established the Janissary corps which became the elite infantry of the Ottoman army.

In conclusion, Mehmed II was a great leader and military strategist, his achievements were significant and had a lasting impact on the Ottoman Empire and the world. His legacy continues to be felt in the present day.

Tax farming

 Mehmed II created a system of tax farming, which allowed the state to collect taxes more efficiently. He granted the right to collect taxes in certain areas to private individuals or groups, called timars, in return for military service. This allowed the state to collect taxes more efficiently and increase its revenue.

After the fall of Constantinople, Mehmed turned his attention to the remaining Byzantine territories in the Balkans. He conquered the cities of Adrianople and Varna, which gave the Ottomans control over most of the Balkans. He also led successful campaigns against the Moldavians and the Karamanids, expanding the Ottoman Empire's territory in Anatolia.

Mehmed also implemented a number of administrative and economic reforms during his reign. He centralized the Ottoman government and created a system of tax farming, which allowed the state to collect taxes more efficiently. He also encouraged the growth of trade and industry, particularly in the newly conquered territories.

Death

Mehmed II died on May 3, 1481, at the age of 49. The cause of his death is not known for certain, but it is believed to have been from natural causes. He was succeeded by his son, Bayezid II. Although Mehmed's reign was relatively short, his accomplishments were significant and had a lasting impact on the Ottoman Empire and the world. His conquest of Constantinople marked the end of the Byzantine Empire and the beginning of the Ottoman Empire's rise as a major world power. His administrative and economic reforms laid the foundation for the Ottoman Empire's prosperity in the centuries to come.