[12] The Ascent and Decline of The Ottoman Empire [Bayazid I]

Written by abumuaawiyah on May 10, 2024. Posted in History of Islam, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq'.

In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Following the demise of Sultan Murad I, his son Bayezid assumed the role of ruler. Bayezid possessed qualities of bravery, generosity, and a fervent desire for Islamic conquests, which led him to prioritize military affairs. His focus was on targeting the Christian emirates in Anatolia, successfully incorporating them into the Ottoman Empire within a year. Bayezid’s agility in manoeuvring between the Balkan and Anatolian fronts earned him the nickname “Thunderbolt,” symbolising his swift movements. Although the Serbs were instrumental in forming a Balkan alliance against the Ottoman Empire, he initiated friendly relations with them. He intended to utilize the Serb state as a buffer between himself and Hungary. Following an agreement with the Serbs, he delivered a heavy blow to Bulgaria in the year 797 AH / 1393 CE, capturing it and leading to the loss of its political independence. This caused fear to spread, prompting Christian crusader forces to mobilize against the Ottoman presence in the Balkans. King Sigismund of Hungary and Pope Boniface IX rallied for a European-Christian crusader alliance to combat the Ottoman Empire. This alliance proved to be one of the largest faced by the Ottomans in the 14th century, with participation from numerous countries and significant resources contributed. The total number of fighters in this crusade amounted to 120,000 individuals from various nationalities, including Germany, France, England, Scotland, Switzerland, Luxembourg, the southern lowlands, and certain Italian city-states. In 800 AH / 1396 CE, the campaign shifted its focus to Hungary. However, there was a disagreement between Sigismund and the figureheads and leaders of the campaign before the battle commenced. While Sigismund preferred to wait for the Ottomans to initiate the attack, the campaign leaders decided to launch an offensive. They advanced towards the Danube River and eventually reached Nikopolis in the northern Balkans, where they began a siege. Initially, they had the upper hand against the Ottoman forces, but Bayezid suddenly appeared with approximately one hundred thousand soldiers. Although this number was slightly lower than the European Crusader bloc, the Ottomans possessed superior organization and weaponry. As a result, most of the Christians were defeated, with some fleeing and escaping, while others were killed. Additionally, a number of their leaders were captured. The Ottomans emerged victorious from the battle of Nicopolis, claiming a plethora of spoils of war and capturing the enemy’s treasures. Among the captives were numerous French nobles, including Count de Nevers. Sultan Bayezid agreed to a ransom for Count de Nevers and the other prisoners, releasing them on the condition that they swore not to engage in further conflict against him. Addressing Count de Nevers, Bayezid stated, “I permit you to uphold your oath, but you are welcome to return and challenge me in battle, as there is nothing I desire more than to combat and defeat all Christian forces in Europe.” After the Battle of Nicopolis, Hungary’s standing in European society was greatly diminished. This was particularly evident in the case of Sigismund, the King of Hungary, who had previously been excessively proud and boastful about the might of his army. He once arrogantly declared, “If the sky were to fall, we would capture it with our spears.” However, when faced with the reality of defeat, Sigismund fled alongside the Chief knights of Rhodes. Their escape led them to the shores of the Black Sea where they met the Christian fleet and made their escape. This marked the end of the reverence and admiration that had once surrounded Hungary. After the victory, Bayezid and the Islamic community were greatly impacted. He informed the senior rulers of the Islamic East about the triumph over the Christians and claimed the title of Sultan of the Romans to solidify his authority over the Seljuk state and the Anatolian Peninsula. Before the battle of Nicopolis, he was able to exert pressure on the Byzantine Empire, compelling the emperor to appoint a judge in Constantinople to handle Muslim affairs. The emperor agreed to the establishment of an Islamic court, the construction of a mosque, and the allocation of 800 houses in the city to the Islamic community. Additionally, Bayezid was granted half of the Ghazala district, where an Ottoman garrison of 6000 soldiers was stationed, and the tribute imposed on the Byzantine state was raised. The Ottoman treasury introduced taxes on vineyards and vegetable farms outside the city, and the call to prayer (A’dhan) was broadcast from the minarets to the Byzantine capital. Following the significant triumph in the Battle of Nicopolis, the Ottomans solidified their presence in the Balkans, thus both Bosnia and Bulgaria submitted to the Ottoman Empire. Ottoman troops pursued the remaining Christians in their retreat, while Sultan Bayezid punished the rulers of the Morea peninsula for aiding the Crusader alliance. In response to the Byzantine emperor’s opposition to the Ottomans, he demanded the surrender of Constantinople. Despite Emperor Manuel Baorba’s plea, the conquest of Constantinople was a key objective in Sultan Bayezid’s Jihad program. Consequently, he led his armies to besiege the Byzantine capital, applying relentless pressure. However, the conquest was abandoned due to a new threat to the Ottoman Empire.

[An Excerpt from Ad-Dawlah Al-Uthmaaniyyah Awaamil An-Nuhood wa Asbaab As-Suqoot. 6/67-71]

[12] The Ascent and Decline of The Ottoman Empire [Bayazid I]

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