The rise of the Ottoman Empire and the process of establishing dominance in Anatolia were shaped by the annexation of many Turkish principalities to the Ottoman lands. In this process, the Karesi Principality is shown as the first principality to join the Ottoman Empire .
The Karesi Principality was a Turkish principality established in the west of Anatolia, around today’s Balıkesir. The Karesi Principality, which was the first principality to join the Ottoman Empire , was bordering both the Byzantine Empire and other Turkish principalities due to its geographical location. This situation pushed the Karesi Principality to be in a constant struggle.
With the strengthening of the Ottoman Principality, political and military relations began to develop between the two principalities. During the periods of Osman Bey and Orhan Bey, alliances were frequently established between the Ottomans and the Karesi Principality and joint movements were carried out. However, the internal turmoil of the Karesi Principality and the rising power of the Ottomans were the most important factors determining the future of the principality.
Ranking of Principalities Joining the Ottoman Empire
The rapid growth and expansion of the Ottoman Empire in Anatolia was possible with the participation of the principalities around it. The annexation of the principalities to the Ottoman lands was achieved through both military successes and strategic marriages and alliances. This process accelerated the transformation of the Ottoman Empire from a small principality to a large state. The order of principalities that joined the Ottoman Empire until the rise period is as follows.
- Karesioğulları Principality
- Aydınoğulları Principality
- Saruhanoğulları Principality
- Candaroğulları Principality
- Dulkadiroğulları Principality
The principality that first joined the Ottoman Empire was the Karesioğulları Principality (1345). This principality, located in Balıkesir and its surroundings, contributed to the maritime power of the Ottoman Empire and brought experienced soldiers to the Ottoman army.
This participation, led by Orhan Gazi, provided the Ottoman Empire with an important strategic superiority. Afterwards, the principalities of Aydınoğulları and Saruhanoğulları joined the Ottoman lands. The participation of these principalities allowed the Ottoman Empire to establish dominance on the Aegean coast.
One of the other important participations was the Ottoman rule of the Candaroğulları Principality (1461). This event, which took place during the reign of Fatih Sultan Mehmet, enabled the Ottoman Empire to open up to the Black Sea. In this process, some Turkmen principalities, especially in Eastern Anatolia and the Black Sea coasts, accepted Ottoman rule.
Principalities Joining the Ottoman Empire
The rise of the Ottoman Empire is closely related to the gathering of Turkmen principalities in Anatolia in political unity. 13. These principalities, which emerged with the weakening of the Anatolian Seljuk State in the nineteenth century, struggled with each other due to geographical and political conditions, while at the same time trying to unite in the face of a common threat such as the Mongol invasion.
The Ottoman Principality emerged in this complex political environment, first forming alliances with its neighboring principalities and then increasing its military power and annexing them to its territory. Both political maneuvers and military victories were effective in this process. The expansion policy of the Ottoman Empire aimed to gather a large part of Anatolia under the roof of a single state.
Among the principalities that joined the Ottoman Empire, the most important ones can be counted as Karamanoğulları, Germiyanoğulları, Aydınoğulları, Menteşeoğulları, Hamitoğulları and Candaroğulları. The accession of these principalities to the Ottoman Empire was generally realized as a result of wars or political agreements. Some principalities saw the rise of the Ottoman Empire and preferred the Ottoman Empire as a safer harbor for their own future.
