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Jan 1, 1293
Defeat of the Seljuq Dynasty
The Seljuq Dynasty becomes defeated by the invading Mongols by the year 1293. Most of Asia Minor and the rest of the Seljuq Empire in the Middle-East becomes fragmented into smaller provinces governed by the Mongols or independent small states. This results inn a power vacuum given the Mongols paid little attention to its governance (Shaw & Yapp, 2019). -
Jan 1, 1294
Osman I becomes Prince of Northwest Asia Minor
Osman I became the prince of this independent entity. Hemmed in by the Mongols and the Byzantine empire, Osman I attacked Byzantium territories and began to create an empire named after him (Shaw & Yapp, 2019). Contemporary Muslims view Osman I as the founder of the empire and a hero who fought against oppression of the Christian states and Mongol invaders. -
Jan 1, 1354
Ottoman Empire Controls Asia Minor and Enters Europe
By 1394, most of the competing Turkish entities such as Karasai have been subdued. As a result, the Ottoman Empire is able to enter freely into Europe through their base at Gallipoli. Most incursions are limited to Thrace at this time. This is significant for the Ottomans begin their first incursions into mainland Europe instead of being restricted to territories in Asia Minor. These incursions soon become normalized and results in them raiding and conquering at will (Shaw & Yapp, 2019). -
Period: Jan 1, 1389 to Jan 1, 1402
Bayezid I Begins to Look Eastward
Bayezid I, the third Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, begins to look eastward to assimilate other Turkish entities instead of capturing more Byzantium land. Most willingly join due to the empire's success and fortune. However, infighting with other tribes such as the Timurid leaves the Ottoman empire weakened and allows for defeats by the Byzantine empire at Kosovo (1389) and Nicopolis (1396) (Khan, 2020). This results in the muslims becoming embittered with the Byzantium Empire. -
Period: Jan 1, 1400 to Jan 1, 1566
Cultural Renaissance
Before, during, and after the reign of Suleiman I, there was an explosion of cultural development in the Islamic world. The Hagia Sophia was transformed into a breathtaking mosque, mosque complexes were built that integrated religion and teaching, calligraphy was refined, and pottery created. Public buildings were constructed that survive to today. Even after Suleiman's death, the empire attracted artists from across Asia and Europe which in turn contributed to the culture (Yalman, 2002) -
Period: Jan 1, 1402 to Jan 1, 1413
Ottoman Interregnum
Following the weakening of the Ottoman Empire, 11 years of internal revolt and civil war followed in what is known as the Ottoman Interregnum. From this, a son of Bayezid known as Mehmed I, became the ruler of the Ottoman Empire and completely reunites the realm. Mehmed I is so successful he is often regarded as the second founder of the Ottoman Empire and is a hero to modern muslims in the Middle-East. He is seen to exemplify living a moral life (Khan, 2020). -
May 29, 1453
Fall of Constantinople
Mehmed I's grandson, Mehmed II (1451-1481), leads the Ottoman Empire into conquering the capital Constantinople which ends the Byzantium Empire (Hudson, 2020). This event causes division today for the occupancy of this former Christian city and renaming to Istanbul constantly reminds Christians of their defeat. Further, the conversion of the church Hagia Sophia to a mosque tells Christians that peace between the religions is impossible until the church is Christian again. -
Jan 1, 1514
Defeat of Egypt and Establishment of the Last Caliphate
Selim I, Mehmed II's grandson, defeats Mamluk Sultanate of Egypt. This gives the Ottoman Empire control of the Mecca, Medina, and Jerusalem which allows them to claim the title Caliph in the Islamic world (Khan, 2020). This is significant for now the Ottomans control all of the holy cities of Islam. This allows them to govern the hajj and other pilgrimages which places them as the leaders of Islam. Hence, the Ottomans now heavily influence Islamic thought and pilgrimages. -
Period: Jan 1, 1520 to Jan 1, 1566
Reign of Suleiman I
Suleiman I (1520-1566), son of Selim, rules the Ottoman Empire and is known as one of the best leaders. He expanded westward by conquering Belgrade in 1521 and destabilized Christian Hungary. Suleiman I also expanded the empire through most of North Africa. He is often regarded as the last great Ottoman Sultan and has nicknames such as Suleiman the Magnificent and the Lawgiver. -
Period: Jan 1, 1566 to
Decline of the Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman Empire begins to decline after the death of Suleiman I. While there are teritorial gains such as Yemen (1567-1570),Cyprus (1570), Tunis (1574), Fez in Morocco (1578), Crete (1669), and Podolia in Ukraine (1672), the Ottoman Empire begins to lose prestige in its military, navy, and political influence (Khan, 2020). Further, Sultan Ahmed prevents the sons of sultans from leaving the palace which effectively creates a divide in the sultans and common folk (Decline, n.d.). -
Defeat at the Gates of Vienna
The Ottoman Empire, in an attempt to expand eastward and capture Vienna, are crushed by the European nations (Pagden, 2016). This is significant for this date signifies the turning point within the empire. The empire loses much prestige in this defeat and experiences a decline in the arts, sciences and political influence. further, the defeat showcases deeply flawed systems within which never become fixed until its collapse. -
Period: to
The "Sick Man" of Europe
After the defeat at Vienna, the Ottoman Empire faced a series of setbacks and internal division that resulted in it being called the "Sick Man" of Europe. While gravely needed, reforms did not arrive until the 1800s under Sultan Mahmud II (1808-1839). Copying Europe, he tried to secularize the government by abolishing mandated Shari'a Law and Islam from government. However, this caused internal dissent because many viewed their Islamic values were under attack (Decline, n.d.). -
Sultan Abdulhamid II Reigns
From 1876-1909, Sultan Abdulhamid tried to reverse the changes made by his secular predecessor. He is significant because he was a great supporter of Islam. He built the Istanbul-Medina railway for the hajj, printed thousands of Qur'ans, and oversaw much religious reforms. He is often viewed as one of the holiest sultans and was well respected by the religious community. However, he was overthrown in 1909 by the secular Young Turks (Decline, n.d.) -
Balkan War
Lasting two years, the Balkans rise in revolt against the tyranny against the Ottoman Empire and seek freedom. While heavily outnumbered, they eventually win their freedom and deal a severe blow to the empire in land and prestige. Many European countries question the stability of the empire and if it can survive a war (Editors, 2020). This event is significant for modern muslims for this signified a time of religious persecution by the Christians now that they freed themselves from Ottoman rule. -
World War I Starts
On this date, Archduke Franz Ferdinand is assassinated and starts World War I. On August 2, the Ottoman Empire joins the Central Powers hoping to reclaim lost land in the Balkans and position themselves as world power again. However, they eventually become defeated. This is significant for the ottoman Empire suffered an intense internal revolt by the Arabians and Bedouins. This resulted in a divided Islamic culture that was exacerbated by the division of the Ottoman Empire after the war. -
Skyes-Picot Agreement and End of an Empire
The Skyes-Picot agreement was a treaty dividing the Ottoman Empire. The British and French divided the Middle-East between them and arbitrarily divided the region of the empire. The revolting Arabs and Ottomans were often grouped together in new territories and so was Shi'a and Sunni muslims. Hence, this has resulted in constant conflict that has lasted to modern times and divided muslims. Even ISIS states that it is striving to undo the effects of this treaty (Boundless, n.d.)
