One of the most frequently encountered questions about the founding period of the Ottoman Empire is: “which of the following places was not conquered by Osman Bey.” This type of question comes up often in exams such as the KPSS, TYT, AYT, and open high school exams in Turkey. Confusing the regions captured during Osman Bey’s era with cities taken by later sultans often leads to wrong answers. For this reason, it is important to know the places conquered by Osman Bey in chronological order.
- which of the following places was not conquered by Osman Bey
- places conquered by Osman Bey
- which cities did Osman Gazi capture
- conquests during Osman Bey’s era
- conquests of the Ottoman founding period
- was Karacahisar taken during Osman Bey’s time
- was Bilecik conquered by Osman Bey
- during which sultan’s reign was İnegöl taken
As the founder of the Ottoman Empire, Osman Bey transformed a small principality on the Byzantine frontier into a powerful political entity. The conquests carried out during this period are considered the beginning of the Ottoman Empire’s expansion. In particular, the struggles with the local lords (tekfurs) around Söğüt strengthened Osman Bey’s political power.
- Karacahisar
- Bilecik
- Yarhisar
- İnegöl
- Köprühisar
- Yenişehir
These regions are generally listed among the places conquered by Osman Bey. In exams, cities such as Bursa, İznik, or Edirne are added as options to test attentiveness, since these cities were conquered not by Osman Bey but in later periods.
The Conquest of Karacahisar
Karacahisar was among the first significant fortresses captured by Osman Bey. After this conquest, the Ottomans became more visible as a political entity. Osman Bey appointed a judge (kadı) and a military governor (subaşı) there, laying the first traces of state order.
- after which battle was Karacahisar taken
- Osman Bey’s first conquered fortress
- what is the significance of Karacahisar
- why is Karacahisar important for the Ottomans
With the capture of Karacahisar, the Ottoman principality began to move beyond its appearance as a mere frontier beylik, and an administrative structure emerged. Some historians interpret this development as the de facto founding process of the Ottoman Empire.
The Capture of Bilecik and Yarhisar
Bilecik and Yarhisar are among the developments that demonstrate Osman Bey’s political acumen. As a result of the struggles with the local lords (tekfurs) in the region, Ottoman power increased.
- during which period did the conquest of Bilecik take place
- the story of the Tekfur of Yarhisar
- how did Osman Bey take Bilecik
- tekfurs of the Ottoman founding period
The story of Osman Bey’s son Orhan Gazi and Holofira, the daughter of the Tekfur of Yarhisar, is frequently mentioned in historical accounts. Holofira later took the name Nilüfer Hatun.
The Conquests of İnegöl and Köprühisar
The area around İnegöl was one of the important regions in the Ottomans’ struggle against Byzantium. The activities of commanders such as Turgut Alp and Samsa Çavuş stand out during this process.
- who conquered İnegöl
- during which period was Köprühisar taken
- Osman Bey’s commanders
- the Ottomans’ first battles
With the capture of İnegöl, the Ottoman principality’s influence around the Marmara region became more visible. These developments laid the groundwork for the later siege of Bursa.
Places Not Conquered by Osman Bey
In exams, the question “which of the following places was not conquered by Osman Bey” is often accompanied by confusing city names. The most commonly confused places are as follows:
- Bursa
- İznik
- İzmit
- Edirne
- Istanbul
These cities were not taken during Osman Bey’s era but during the reigns of later sultans.
- Bursa → conquered during the reign of Orhan Gazi.
- İznik → joined Ottoman territory during the reign of Orhan Gazi.
- Edirne → taken during the reign of Murad I.
- Istanbul → conquered during the reign of Mehmed the Conqueror.
For this reason, one should be careful if options such as Bursa or Edirne appear in a question.
Question Patterns Found in Exams
Various types of questions about the Ottoman founding period can be prepared in history classes.
- which places were taken during Osman Bey’s era
- which of the following is not among Osman Bey’s conquests
- the first conquests of the Ottoman Empire
- places taken from Byzantium during the founding period
- fortresses captured by Osman Gazi
In such questions, it is necessary to match cities with the sultan’s reign during which they were taken. In particular, Bursa and İznik are used as distractors in exams.
The Significance of Osman Bey’s Era
The conquests during Osman Bey’s era did not merely mean territorial expansion. It was also the process in which the Ottomans’ political identity took shape. A small frontier principality began to gain superiority over the surrounding tekfurs within a short period.
- how was the Ottoman Empire founded
- developments during Osman Bey’s era
- the founding process of the Ottomans
- the growth of the Ottoman principality
Thanks to the conquests carried out during this period, control over trade routes increased, population movements accelerated, and the Ottomans’ military power grew.
Learning correctly the places conquered by Osman Bey prevents mistakes in history questions. While Karacahisar, Bilecik, Yarhisar, İnegöl, and Köprühisar are among the regions taken during Osman Bey’s era, Bursa, Edirne, and Istanbul were incorporated into Ottoman territory in later periods.
