The Ottoman Empire
Suggest editOverview
The Ottoman Empire (1299-1922 CE) was one of the longest-lasting and most powerful empires in history. At its peak, it spanned three continents, controlling southeastern Europe, western Asia, and northern Africa. The Ottoman sultans bore the title of caliph from the early 16th century.
Rise
Founded by Osman I in Anatolia, the Ottomans expanded rapidly through both military conquest and strategic alliances. The conquest of Constantinople in 1453 CE by Sultan Mehmed II (Mehmed the Conqueror) was a landmark event, transforming the city into Istanbul, the new capital of the empire and a center of Islamic civilization.
Golden Age
Under Suleiman the Magnificent (1520-1566 CE), the empire reached its zenith. Ottoman architecture, exemplified by the works of Mimar Sinan (the Suleymaniye Mosque), reached extraordinary heights. The empire maintained a sophisticated legal system combining Shariah with customary law (kanun), a meritocratic administrative system, and extensive charitable endowments (awqaf).
Legacy
The Ottomans protected the holy cities of Makkah, Madinah, and Jerusalem for centuries. They served as the Custodians of the Two Holy Mosques and organized the Hajj. The caliphate was abolished in 1924, two years after the establishment of the Republic of Turkey.