* Arkhan Ghazi: *
* Second ruler of the Ottoman Empire: (1326-1362). *
Born: 1281 in Sogot (Turkey).
Died: 1362 Bursa (Turkey).
Orkhan became ruler in 1326 after the death of his father Usman I. He extended the Ottoman Empire from Asia Minor to Nicosia and Nicomedia. He captured the city of Bursa during his father's lifetime. Therefore, this city became the capital of the new government of the Ottoman Empire. The invaders continued to fight against the Byzantines. The reign of Arkhan was the beginning of making the Ottoman Empire a strong and powerful empire. He conquered many important cities of the Byzantine Empire. Iznik was conquered in 1331 and Izmit in 1337.
Arkhan then turned his attention to the neighboring Turkmen states and annexed the small kingdom of Karasi to the Ottoman Empire, which was already embroiled in internal strife. Arkhan expanded his control to the northwestern corner of Anatolia.
In 1345, the new emperor of Badal (ruler of Constantinople) Shah "Jon" VI became an ally of the Ottomans.
So he married his daughter "Theodora" to Arkhan. Arkhan's campaigns resulted in numerous victories for the Ottomans. In 1354, Arkhan also snatched the city of Gallipoli from the Byzantine Empire, an important route to Europe. He extended his empire to the Aegean Sea. In 1356, he also conquered Ankara.
Arkhan was a high-ranking ruler. The etiquette and rules of the Ottoman Empire date back to the time of Arkhan. In that sense, he was the founder of the Ottoman Empire. He had a great style of governing the country. It divided the conquered areas into provinces and districts. Each district was called Sanjaq. It means flag. The ruler of each Sanjaq was allowed to expand the empire. In addition, each ruler had the power to recruit new troops and to grant estates.
Arkhan organized the army in a very high manner.
In 1327 he issued the first silver coins. On which his name was inscribed. In addition, Arkhan built mosques, madrassas, universities and inns. It greatly developed the Ottoman capital, Bursa, which later became a major Islamic center.
When Arkhan died in 1362, his eldest son Murad I became the ruler.
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