Commemorating Osman Ghazi on the 698th anniversary of his death
Osman Ghazi laid the foundations of the Ottoman Empire with his experience in statecraft and sense of justice inherited from his father Ertuğrul Ghazi, and his spiritual education from his father-in-law Sheikh Edebali. As a ruler, he valued fairness and justice. Known for his adventurous, generous, and courageous personality and contentment, Osman Ghazi founded the longest-lasting state based on a single dynasty over a vast geography.
- Turkey
- Published Date: 05:10 | 02 August 2024
- Modified Date: 05:16 | 02 August 2024
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In accordance with his will, Osman Ghazi's remains were buried in the "Gümüşlü Kümbet" in Tophane, Bursa in 1326. In the center of his tomb is a wooden sarcophagus covered with gold-embroidered velvet and surrounded by mother-of-pearl inlaid brass railings.
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Professor Ali İhsan Karataş, a faculty member of the Department of Islamic History at Bursa Uludağ University explained how Turkish principalities arrived at Western Anatolia in the mid-13th century after the Mongol invasion.
"Ertuğrul Ghazi, the leader of the Kayı tribe, was given Söğüt and Domaniç for assisting Seljuk Sultan Alaeddin Kayqubad in a war. Ertuğrul Ghazi expanded his territories through conquests in the region and laid the foundations of the Ottoman Empire."
"When Ertuğrul Ghazi passed away, his son Osman Ghazi succeeded him. Osman Ghazi, who became the leader of the tribe, expanded the 4,000 square kilometer land he inherited from his father to approximately 16,000 square kilometers," Karataş said.
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Karataş mentioned that Osman Ghazi conquered areas around Eskişehir, Domaniç, İnegöl, and Yenişehir, and although he desired to conquer and have already besieged Bursa, he passed away before witnessing its conquest.
Professor Karataş also talked about Osman Ghazi's childhood, saying, "He observed the rulers, attended meetings, and participated in sports activities and hunts with the Alps. He grew up as a very active young man."
Karataş highlighted that Osman Ghazi stood out among his siblings with his personality traits and had the leadership skills necessary to manage society, guide it, and maintain previous conquests.
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Karataş said, "According to sources like Neşri and Aşıkpaşazade, Osman Ghazi was very generous. He would prepare meals and give them to his people on certain days, protecting the poor."
"It is said that after becoming the Sultan, a market was established in the Eskişehir region. A Christian vendor from that area brought cups carved from wood to sell. A Muslim man acquired these cups but did not pay. The Christian vendor complained to Osman Ghazi, who then punished the Muslim and ensured the security of the environment."
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"Islamic justice was applied even to non-Muslims, making Osman Ghazi famous for his justice. It is said that after this incident, Christian women, who previously rarely came to the market, started selling their goods there thanks to the security and justice Osman Ghazi provided." Karataş added.
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Karataş pointed out that Osman Ghazi was not a greedy man, saying, "When he passed away, his house was checked for inheritance. There was a cup of salt, a few cooking utensils, a kaftan, and a few livestock. He had nothing else. He lived a life of contentment."
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"Osman Ghazi, who gifted the Ottoman Empire to Turkish history, is an important ancestor of the Turkish nation. There are very few states with a lifespan of six centuries, and the Ottoman Empire is one of them." said Professor Karataş.
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Karataş added that Sheikh Edebali advised Osman Ghazi, who in turn advised his son Orhan Ghazi, and recommended reading these texts to everyone.
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