The Conquest of Istanbul: A Brief Overview of the War Process
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The Conquest of Istanbul: A Brief Overview of the War Process
The conquest of Istanbul, led by Mehmed II, also known as Fatih Sultan Mehmed, was a siege and war process carried out by the Ottoman Empire. The siege began on April 6, 1453, and concluded on May 29, 1453, when the Ottoman army successfully captured the city. Here are the main stages of this process:
- Commencement of the Siege (April 6, 1453): Fatih Sultan Mehmed decided to conquer Istanbul and assembled a formidable army. The siege began with the encirclement of the city by land and sea. The Ottoman army brought the necessary equipment for the siege and aimed to breach and destroy the city walls, using the largest cannons of the time.
- Artillery Attacks and Breaching the Walls: Ottoman artillery bombarded the walls of Istanbul, attempting to breach and demolish them. The use of the "Great Bombard" (the tower where it was placed was later named the "Artillery Tower") was particularly significant. The artillery attacks created substantial breaches in the walls.
- Land and Sea Assaults: The Ottoman army launched both land and sea attacks during the siege. On land, Ottoman soldiers attempted to climb the walls and breach defense lines. Simultaneously, the Ottoman navy blockaded the sea to prevent reinforcements from entering through the Bosporus and to tighten the siege.
- Final Clashes and the Conquest of Istanbul (May 29, 1453): In the last days of the siege, the Ottoman army successfully breached the walls. Intense clashes occurred, and ultimately, under the leadership of Fatih Sultan Mehmed, the Ottoman forces captured the city. This historic event took place on May 29, 1453, marking the completion of the conquest of Istanbul.
