BURSA: The First Capital of The Ottoman Empire; Tomb of Osman Gazi

 

Bursa: The First Capital

Of The Ottoman Empire

Sogut: The City Of Ertugrul Gazi

Bursa: The City Of Osman Gazi

And His Son Orhan Gazi

(M. Javed Naseem)

(Bursa cable-car station)

When the conquest of Anatolia by the Seljuks began in 1071, the Turkish tribes coming from Central Asia settled down on their new lands. Afterwards, when the fall of the Seljuk Empire started, it crumbled in the thirteenth century. Many small Turkish principalities sprang up, one of which was the Ottoman Beylik in the northwest of Anatolia. Ottomans expanded quickly as they conquered additional lands from the Byzantine Empire.

Osman Bey, the founder of the Ottoman Beylik, who was born in the town of Söğüt in Bithynia in 1258, conquered Bilecik, Yenikent, İnegöl and İznik in 1299. That year is considered as the founding year of the Ottoman Empire that lasted for over six hundred years.

When Osman Bey decided to take the city of Bursa (originally Prusa), he began preparations to besiege the city in 1317. First, he wanted to cut off the city’s access to the sea; he then built a fort near Kaplıca and appointed his nephew Ak Timur as its commander. His slave, Balabancık, was given the command of a second fort in the mountains behind Bursa, to prevent enemy from reaching the city from both sides. Turks demolished the fort of Atranos Beyce and made their encampment at Pınarbaşı. Leaving the army’s control in the hands of his son Orhan Bey, Osman Gazi returned to Yenikent.

The siege lasted eight years, and meanwhile Osman Gazi who fell seriously ill could no longer fight. He ordered his son Orhan Gazi to take Bursa. Orhan began by taking first the Evrenos Fortress. The fortress’ governor fled into the mountains. Orhan Gazi sent Mihal Bey to chase the governor of Bursa demanding his surrender. The governor sent expensive clothes and forty thousand gold coins as a gift to show his submission. After consulting his father, Orhan Gazi allowed the governor to leave the city with his family and entourage. They made their way to Gemlik on the north coast of Bursa and sailed for Istanbul. In 1326, the Turkish army entered Bursa.

(Osman Gazi's tomb in Bursa)

 

This news reached Osman Gazi on his deathbed, and he died knowing his greatest goal had been achieved. The taking of Bursa marked a turning point in the Ottoman History. Orhan bin Osman, who was born in 1281, the year of his grandfather Ertuğrul Gazi’s death, became the second Ottoman sultan. His elder brother advised him to mint money with his name on it. He was also advised to wear clothes which would distinguish him from his subjects. Another important piece of advice was to form an army composed of infantry soldiers who would be paid out of the treasury.

Previously, coins were minted in the name of the Seljuk sultans, but in 1328, following his brother's advice; Orhan Gazi became the first Ottoman Sultan to mint his own coins. He also introduced white uniforms for his soldiers, replacing their former red and black uniforms.

In 1335, Bursa became the first Ottoman capital. Orhan Gazi ruled for nearly 35 years till his death in 1360. He was succeeded by his son Murad, who was born in 1326. Sultan Murad Han bin Orhan bin Osman Gazi was the third Ottoman sultan. 

(Ertugrul Gazi's tomb in Sogut)

 

The city of Bursa is located in the northwest of Turkey and it has strategic importance. It is situated between the cities of Ankara and Istanbul, separating it from Istanbul by the Marmara Sea, as it overlooks the Marmara Sea to the north, and is bordered on the south side by the famous Ulu Dag Mountain. Bursa is Turkey's fourth most populous city and one of the most important industrial cities of the country. In size, it is bigger than Istanbul but has a population between 2 and 3 million people, compared to over 15 millions of Istanbul.

Bursa’s silk industry has a long heritage. The city was a center of silk trade in the 15th century and by the 17th century was famous in Europe and Asia for its silk textiles, which are still produced today. Other industries include cotton and woolen textiles, canned foods, dairy products and machinery. Bursa University was established in 1975.

(Osman Gazi's son Orhan Gazi's tomb in Bursa)

 

Ertugrul Ghazi was the father of Osman Ghazi and he lived in Sogut till his death. After his death, and after many conquests, Osman Ghazi made Bursa the capital of the Ottoman Empire. Sogut is a long drive from Istanbul. We wanted to visit the tomb of Ertugrul and his companions but the tour operators were too greedy to let us do that. All of them demanded between $100 and $150 per person, which was enormous by any standard. With the inflation, a US dollar is worth 28-TL (Turkish Lira), therefore, the country should be cheaper for dollar-spending tourists. But unfortunately, it is not. They rip you off. All of them – the taxi drivers, the hotels, the restaurants, bars, clubs, sightseeing trips, boat tours and cruises. Even the shopping for gifts, sweets and souvenirs is very expensive. If you get out of the tourists zone, the country is much cheaper and the people are nicer too. 

(Ertugrul Gazi's tomb/memorial in Sogut)

 

The best way to visit the tomb of Ertugrul is to drive there (you can rent a car) and spend the night in a hotel. Day trip from Istanbul to Sogut is very cumbersome for families.

(600-year old historical Inkaya tree, near Bursa)

Turkey's 600-year Old Historical Inkaya Plane Tree

Bursa is also called the 'Green City' because of its green spots, parks and reservations. All around Bursa, there are monumental centuries old trees that defy time. The best known of these trees is the İnkaya (Grand) Plane tree, which is over 600 years old, in İnkaya Village, which is 4 km away from Çekirge neighborhood and on the Uludağ road. By size and volume, it is Turkey's largest tree. Its diameter is 3 meters; it is 10 meters in circumference; and its height is 37 meters. It has 13 main branches and the thickness of each branch is almost the size of a normal tree trunk. It has plenty of natural fountains around it. The area has become a big attraction with a lot of restaurants, cafe and small stores selling the souvenirs.

(Bosphorus cruise tour in Instanbul)

Cruise tours

Istanbul is surrounded by water and islands. The Bosphorus cuts the city itself into two halves – one half in Asia and the other half in the European continent. Hence, it is called the city of two continents. The visit to Istanbul is not complete without a boat tour in the Bosphorus. There are both day tours and the night tours with dinner and belly dance shows.

We did a day cruise into the Bosphorus and it was fantastic. There are boat tours with breakfast; with lunch and with dinner+belly dance. The prices range between $20 to $50 per person. While it is warm during the day time, it get chilly in the evening. Turkish Airline offers promotional and cheaper tickets. Istanbul is an old historical city and is worth visiting. It offers a lot in every field – history, culture, tourism, sports, shopping, fashion, food and fun. There is plenty to see and enjoy for every taste.

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