The success of the Suleiman Conqueror the Magnificent in Ottoman Empire

 Forty years after Mehmed’s death in 1481, a new and even greater sultan succeeded to the throne. Suleiman I (the Magnificent) succeeded to the throne in 1520 and reigned for nearly fifty years. This era is often called the Golden Age of the Ottomans. not only did Suleiman have great wealth, he was also a great warrior and size ruler. He employed efficient adviser as his ministers. He was allowing a man of culture who liked poetry and music.

 In 152 he seized Belgrade (now the capital city of Yugoslavia) after a short siege. 1526 he defeated the Hungarian at the Battle of Mohacs. Three years later he invaded Austria and besieged Vienna. This time his Army was rebuffed. They suffered heavy losses through disease and famine and met staff resistance when they attacked the city walls. After three weeks Suleiman decide to return home.

 

Suleiman celebrated his military success by making Istanbul a worthy capital for his great empire. He built the great Suleimaniye Mosque there and enlarged the Central Bazaar which had been built by Mehmed II in 1462. It is said to be the largest shopping center in the world under one roof. It has 67 streets lined with thousands of shops. Many of these streets, then as now, sold the same types of goods, such as carpets or rugs. Suleiman also rebuilt the Magnificent Roman aqueduct which supplied Istanbul with fresh water.

 

An English observer called Anthony Jenkiosns watched a procession in which Suleiman was proceeded by 60000 Cavalrymen dressed in scarlet. Then came 10000 foot soldiers in yellow velvet. there were also 16000 janissaries in the procession. These were Christian slaves from the Balkans who were trained from the childhood to fight tor the Sultan as an elite bodyguard. The came 1000 pages all dressed in gold and 13 Royal pages in gold or silver. This was not all, there were 50 more Janissaries and 3000 other men and a vats army of camel.

 

Suleiman died in 1566, He was succeeded by his son Selim II. Five years later, on 5 October1571, the Turkish battle fleet of about 250 war galleys was heavily defeated at the battle of Lepanto by a combined fleet of 225 galleys and galleys (the large galleys) from Venice and Spain. The Turks lost most of their ships and suffered heavy casualties. their naval force was destroyed. With it went their lost chance of any further extension of the Ottoman Empire in the Mediterranean