Ertugrul: From Pages Of History’s Hero of Pre Ottoman Empire.

Ertugrul (Died-1280) is a very important character from history and actually for whole world. He was the father of OsmanGhazi, founder of Ottoman Empire, which ruled the world for (1299-1922)600 years.

For him, the limits were not an obstacle. He was the first one who tried to live settled life instead of nomad life. He fought for justice. He laid the foundations of Ottoman Empire. He cared a lot for his people, especially, for his brothers in battle

When in the leadership of Genghis Khan a bloodthirsty Mongolian army attacked other areas to spread their empire (Mongol Empire), then on one side, while passing through Eastern Europe they reached Central Europe, while on the other side they proved their power in Siberia, Subcontinent, China and Persian Area very soon.

Mongol armies created a no comparable history of cruelty and oppression. All great empires were bowing their heads to Mongol cruelty. On the other hand, Khuwarzam Empire conquered many areas of Khorasan, Iran, Syria, and Iraq occupied by Seljuks. At that time their power was at its peak.

Genghis Khan named Tornado moved towards Kuwarzam Empire with his all cruelties and tor it into pieces. After the wrath of this Empire, Turk tribes residing there started to migrate in search of a safe place.

Most of the tribes were shepherds and gypsy, wherever they saw greenery and water they placed their tents there and started living. Most of these tribes reached Iran and Syria whilst some of them migrated towards Egypt.

One of these Turk tribes was named Kayi tribe. Kayi tribe was relatively stronger and a little bit more populated than others. This was a warrior tribe and its leader was Suleiman Shah.

Kayi tribe in the leadership of Suleiman Shah left his homeland Khorasan and went to Syria. On his way, while crossing Euphrates River, Suleiman Shah drowned and couldn’t survive.

Suleiman Shah had four sons, Sungurtakun, Gundugdu, Ertugrul, and Dundar. After the death of Suleiman Shah, Kayi tribe got separated. Sungurtakun and Gundugdu went to Ahlat with his families and companions. Remainders choose Ertugrul as their leader because of his valor and bravery.

Ertugrul Ghazi had a brave, fearless and warrior personality.  He knew very well how to defend his tribe that’s why he with his brother and his tribe which was consist of almost 400 families headed towards Asia Minor and entered Seljuk’s Empire.

At that time Seljuk throne belonged to Sultan Ala-ud-Deen Kayqubad, who was very famous because of his justice.

When Ertugrul Ghazi was going to Capital Konya with his tribe to seek refuge under Sultan Ala-ud-Deen, on his way near Ankara Ertugrul Ghazi saw two armies fighting with each other.

Ertugrul Ghazi was familiar with none of the armies, but he whilst watching that one of them is less crowded and the other one is a huge army, he with his smallest army who were totally 420 only, stood with the less crowded ones.

He attacked the opponent army with his these few soldiers suddenly and strongly. Opponent army got scared and thought that they might have got some help from somewhere.

This army whilst it was winning lost the battle. Later on, it came to know that the army whom Ertugrul Ghazi helped was the army of Seljuk Sultan Ala-ud-Deen Kayqubad.

Sultan Ala-ud-Deen was very impressed by Ertugrul Ghazi’s bravery and his tribe was given the area of Karaca Dağ near Ankara in its empire.

It was a hilly area. Kayi tribe settled there. It is said that Sultan Alā ad-Dīn had given this area to the Kayi Tribe so that the borders of this side can be protected from the attacks from Byzantines army.

Sultan allowed them to conquer the areas along the border and add them to the empire. This area was connected with the Byzantine’s Border. In a very short span of time, Ertuğrul impressed everyone with his bravery.

After some time, Sogut city was also allotted to Ertugrul Gazi by the Sultan. The result of these victories was that many other Turkish tribes also joined Ertugrul Ghazi and accepted him as their Chief.

For a landlord to get such power and influence, could have been a matter of concern for Sultan Alā ad-Din but due to internal disorder and rebellions from state chiefs in Asia Minor, the Seljuk Empire was at the last stage of decline.

The Mongolians had occupied a large area while on the other; Christian forces had re-occupied many old Byzantines Provinces.

Besides this, many Seljuk leaders had established autonomous governments۔ The borders areas were usually in a state of war and there was always a threat of attack from Mongols.

In such a situation, instead of getting worried from the victories of Ertuğrul Ghazi, Sultan had a sigh of relief, so he rewarded to Ertuğrul Ghazi.

So, at a location between Yeni City and Bursa, as a deputy of Alā ad-Dīn, when Ertuğrul Ghazi defeated a united army of Mongols and Byzantines, Sultan rewarded this city as well to Ertuğrul and he named the entire state “Sultanooni”.

He also made Ertuğrul Ghazi the commander of his front line army troop. In this vast area (Sultanooni), there were numerous castles besides landless pastures and fertile lands.

But most of the area of Sultanooni was occupied by stubborn leaders, and in order to fully establish his authority, Ertuğrul Ghazi and later on his son Osman Ghazi had to fight for a long period.

Halime Hatun wife of Ertuğrul Ghazi was the daughter of Seljuk Prince Ghiyath ad-Din Mas’ud. Halime Hatun gave birth to three sons, Gunduz, Savcı, and Osman. After the death of Ertuğrul Ghazi, his successor was his youngest son Osman Gazi.

Ertugrul ghazi assessed the states and political conditions of the states well from the surrounding principals. He lived well with his neighbours and lived in peace and comfort in a powerful state.

Ertugrul ghazi, who was very generous, would always help the folks with their fondness. He loved the Christians in the region where he had been ruling for half a century.

After the death of Ertugrul ghazi, his young son Osman ghazi became the reign of the people and tribes. Osman Brain began to spread from the roots of the earth to the earth, which would take the seas, the lands, the continents and the countries among the magnificent branches.

Tomb of Ertugrul

Ertugrul Ghazi was buried in Sougat, his son Osman Ghazi also built a mosque there. The current tomb of Ertugrul Ghazi was re-built in Sultan Abdul Hamid II era. In 1998, Ertugrul Ghazi Mosque was built in his honour in Asbghat, Turkmenistan province.

           The End

Note: This blog with photos has been prepared with help of Wikipedia and various materials available on net thanks to all original writer over this topic.