Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman Empire was also known as the Turkish Empire. This empire was founded by a leader named Osman 1 in 1299 after having made a number of conquests. The conquest of the Balkans was achieved under Murad 1 between 1362 and 1389. Murad 1 built a strong government after establishing an empire in Edime as was known in the native Turkish language. Osman achieved tremendous expansion by bringing the Balkans under his rule. He conquered several empires and is instrumental in establishing the name sultan. Murad 1 succeeded his father Orhan.
Murad 1 time was characterized by several wars notable ones being among the Serbs, Bulgarian and the Hungarians among other wars. His army was powerful and well trained and did not suffer major casualties at any war during his time at the helm (Thomson 541). The Murad was however assassinated later by a Serbian nobleman during war. Murad went to battle immediately he took the throne from his father and conquered the territory of emperor Paleologu. He became a Vassal. This great conquest was later to be the Capital and an important territory and achievement of his rule. Whereas there was an invasion among many, the most notable one was the battle of the Marista River in 1371 where he took over a number of towns including the Macedonian town (Davidson 352).
Murad was hungry for new territories during his rule and boosted by a strong and resilient army, nothing would hold him back. In 1380, Murad 1 expansion was geared to the west and he therefore moved an offensive and captured Sofia. Sofia marked a very significant achievement and Murad continued with the offensive in 1386 and captured Nis. His quest to amass several territories was unmatched. Murad 1 also extended his rule and vast territory under his rule in Anatolia to as far as Torat. His power was centered in Ankara. Acquisition of more areas under his rule did not only involve a war, but also acquired territories from other known principalities by purchasing. Marriage was also used in acquiring new territory. Principalities that contributed to new territory by peaceful means included the Germiyan, the Hammid, and Tekke. Murad put on tremendous resistance to several wars that were aimed at recapturing his territories and defeated several coalitions aimed at stopping the expansion of the Ottoman Empire.
Whereas his expansionist tendencies had not received any major resistance, Murad 1 faced a formidable resistance between 1387 and 1388 from the strong coalition of the north under the Serbian princess and by the Bosnians. This coalition was formidable and stopped the army led by Murad 1. Murad was however not known to give up easily and in 1389, Murad together with the help of his son won the battle of Kosovo. This war however came at a very big price because Murad 1 was killed in the battle (Marušiakova, Kenrick and Popov 24, 25.
Murad contribution to institutionalized society was a great stride in the history of the ottomans empire. The organized militaries were developed and the formation of the military was made diverse and all inclusive. This system was more effective in managing the army and winning battles. Expansion of territory was important to the Ottoman Empire and Murad 1 was a single major contributor to the growth and expansion of the Ottoman Empire.
Works Cited
Davison, Roderic H. Reform in the Ottoman Empire, 1856-1876. 1976. Internet resource.
Marušiakova, Elena, Donald Kenrick, and Veselin Z. Popov. Gypsies in the Ottoman Empire: A Contribution to the History of the Balkans. Hatfield: Univ. of Hertfordshire press, 2001. Print.
Thompson, Wayne C. Nordic, Central, & Southeastern Europe, 2013. Internet resource.