DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.25694#0050
MAHOMET I.
FIFTH EMPEROR OF THE TURKS.
1405-1421.
The captivity of Bajazet, and defeat of his army by Tamerlane, appeared to threaten the
dissolution of the Ottoman monarchy. The whole of Asia Minor being over-run by Tartarian
troops, every thing became in consequence subjected to the will and caprice of disorderly soldiers.
Five sons of Bajazet survived the great battle : of these, the youngest died soon after at Constantinople,
having, with his sister Fatima, embraced the Christian religion. Soliman, Isa, Musa, and Mahomet,
fled in different directions from the power of the Tartars, to such parts as were most inaccessible to
their enemies. Soliman, the eldest, escaped into Europe with the royal treasure, and was received,
as his father’s successor, at Adrianople. Isa and Musa appear, for a time, to have sunk under the
difficulties that opposed them ; and Mahomet only conceived the idea of setting his country free,
or of perishing in the attempt. He was but fifteen years of age, when his father was subdued by
Tamerlane, and had already, from his early promise, been appointed to the government of Armenia
and Cappadocia; but these provinces were rendered so intolerable by the excesses of the Tartars,
that many of the inhabitants retired into voluntary exile. Departing, therefore, with such friends
as had formed the resolution of sharing his fortunes, he was beset by a strong party commanded
by a kinsman of the prince of Castamona: a sharp encounter ensued, and the prince’s party was
repulsed with great slaughter. This was the first achievement of Mahomet; and from the skill and
resolution that he displayed, the number of his followers increased.
He considered that Tamerlane could not long remain with a numerous army in a country so ill
provided for its subsistence ; and with the accession of strength he had acquired, he formed the
determination of returning to his government in Armenia, that by his presence he might inspire
his subjects with confidence. Tamerlane had assigned Mahomet s possessions to one of his chiefs,
who was already on his march, with twenty thousand men, to take possession of his territory.
Mahomet having dispatched spies to learn the true force and situation of the enemy, it was reported
to him that the Tartarian army had halted at a town in Galatia, where, being apprehensive of no
danger, they were, by the general’s order, dispersed for the sake of pillage; not more than half the
army remaining at head quarters. The Turks, who were continually on the watch, to advance or
retire, according to circumstances, immediately put themselves in motion, and by forced marches
coming up with the Tartar, took him by surprise, and gained a complete victory. Mahomet
gained every advantage by the celerity of his motions; his army was small, but every one was
actuated by the spirit of his general, who, they were convinced, would not risk their lives unne-
cessarily: whereas the Tartars, confident in their numbers, overlooked and despised those prudent
precautions which would have insured them success. Mahomet’s army was now so amply reinforced,
that he appeared in the open field ; and although still inferior in numbers to the enemy, the resolute
and close manner of fighting now practised by the Turks, prevailed against the confidence and
temerity of the more numerous Tartars.
The fame of these victories soon reached the ears of Tamerlane: he admired the conduct and
valour of Mahomet; and saw, that in him he had an enemy to encounter, who bad defiance to his
mighty power. Even the conqueror of Persia and Hindostan had recourse to the meanness of dis-
simulation; and Mahomet, allured by the prospect of receiving the hand of Tamerlane’s daughter
in marriage, was proceeding towards his camp; but having been attacked by several of the Tartarian
hordes, no doubt by order of their leader, and perceiving his numbers, in consequence of such
repeated conflicts, gradually diminishing, he altered his resolution, and returned home, to the great
disappointment of the Tartar, who intended to sacrifice him to his revenge.
FIFTH EMPEROR OF THE TURKS.
1405-1421.
The captivity of Bajazet, and defeat of his army by Tamerlane, appeared to threaten the
dissolution of the Ottoman monarchy. The whole of Asia Minor being over-run by Tartarian
troops, every thing became in consequence subjected to the will and caprice of disorderly soldiers.
Five sons of Bajazet survived the great battle : of these, the youngest died soon after at Constantinople,
having, with his sister Fatima, embraced the Christian religion. Soliman, Isa, Musa, and Mahomet,
fled in different directions from the power of the Tartars, to such parts as were most inaccessible to
their enemies. Soliman, the eldest, escaped into Europe with the royal treasure, and was received,
as his father’s successor, at Adrianople. Isa and Musa appear, for a time, to have sunk under the
difficulties that opposed them ; and Mahomet only conceived the idea of setting his country free,
or of perishing in the attempt. He was but fifteen years of age, when his father was subdued by
Tamerlane, and had already, from his early promise, been appointed to the government of Armenia
and Cappadocia; but these provinces were rendered so intolerable by the excesses of the Tartars,
that many of the inhabitants retired into voluntary exile. Departing, therefore, with such friends
as had formed the resolution of sharing his fortunes, he was beset by a strong party commanded
by a kinsman of the prince of Castamona: a sharp encounter ensued, and the prince’s party was
repulsed with great slaughter. This was the first achievement of Mahomet; and from the skill and
resolution that he displayed, the number of his followers increased.
He considered that Tamerlane could not long remain with a numerous army in a country so ill
provided for its subsistence ; and with the accession of strength he had acquired, he formed the
determination of returning to his government in Armenia, that by his presence he might inspire
his subjects with confidence. Tamerlane had assigned Mahomet s possessions to one of his chiefs,
who was already on his march, with twenty thousand men, to take possession of his territory.
Mahomet having dispatched spies to learn the true force and situation of the enemy, it was reported
to him that the Tartarian army had halted at a town in Galatia, where, being apprehensive of no
danger, they were, by the general’s order, dispersed for the sake of pillage; not more than half the
army remaining at head quarters. The Turks, who were continually on the watch, to advance or
retire, according to circumstances, immediately put themselves in motion, and by forced marches
coming up with the Tartar, took him by surprise, and gained a complete victory. Mahomet
gained every advantage by the celerity of his motions; his army was small, but every one was
actuated by the spirit of his general, who, they were convinced, would not risk their lives unne-
cessarily: whereas the Tartars, confident in their numbers, overlooked and despised those prudent
precautions which would have insured them success. Mahomet’s army was now so amply reinforced,
that he appeared in the open field ; and although still inferior in numbers to the enemy, the resolute
and close manner of fighting now practised by the Turks, prevailed against the confidence and
temerity of the more numerous Tartars.
The fame of these victories soon reached the ears of Tamerlane: he admired the conduct and
valour of Mahomet; and saw, that in him he had an enemy to encounter, who bad defiance to his
mighty power. Even the conqueror of Persia and Hindostan had recourse to the meanness of dis-
simulation; and Mahomet, allured by the prospect of receiving the hand of Tamerlane’s daughter
in marriage, was proceeding towards his camp; but having been attacked by several of the Tartarian
hordes, no doubt by order of their leader, and perceiving his numbers, in consequence of such
repeated conflicts, gradually diminishing, he altered his resolution, and returned home, to the great
disappointment of the Tartar, who intended to sacrifice him to his revenge.