Mehmed II was born in March 30, 1432. He was the Son of Sultan Murad II and was very close to his father. He became Sultan from 1444 to 1446 and from 1451 to 1481. He was a great military leader, during his rule he conquered Constantinople, territories in Anatolia and the Balkans that became the hub for Ottomans for the next four centuries. Due to the tradition of the Ottomans, he was sent to Manisa with two tutors. When his brother died Murad II called him to come back and take the responsibilities of Ottomans but he was so young during his first ruler-ship that’s why he faced many issues, the King of Hungary, the pope, and the Byzantine Empire tried to take advantage of him. But when he became Sultan for the second time he didn’t take any pressure from enemies and put pressure on them because he launched his first major campaign right after he got the throne.
![](https://i0.wp.com/historicaldialogue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Ishak-Pasha-Palace.jpg?resize=900%2C600&ssl=1)
Mehmed’s War Preparations
After the battle with his brother for the throne he crushed his brother’s army and became the Sultan. Mehmed II didn’t waste his time in his preparations for the conquest of Constantinople. He knew that his father Murad II and many others tried to conquer Constantinople but no one succeeded due to the Protection walls of Constantinople. During his preparations he set up a huge army, he also brought many skillful engineers from across the Ottoman Empire to build massive cannons that could break the walls of the city. Later on, he ordered his engineers to build a cannon that could throw maximum weight. So, engineers built a cannon in three months, which was dragged by 60 oxen and 400 men to Constantinople. This cannonball can be shot in 1 mile and can throw 1200 pounds. Sultan Mehmed was the first King in history to introduce such kind of cannonball. He also arranged a lot of food and other materials to sustain if the battle continued for a long time. This kind of preparation posed a significant threat to Constantinople. Sultan Mehmed II also built the fortress of Remelihisari on the Bosporus which helped him to control Naval movements and cut off the city from any external help, this was one of his well-known military strategies.
![](https://i0.wp.com/historicaldialogue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Giant-cannon-used-by-Sultan-Mehmed-to-destroy-the-walls-of.jpg?resize=720%2C397&ssl=1)
Sultan Mehmed and the Walls of Constantinople
The battle of Constantinople started on April 1453 and it lasted for 53 days. The Byzantine King didn’t have many soldiers and guns, but they highly relied on their massive walls because they helped them from enemy attacks for centuries. Mehmed II deploys his massive cannons, including his giant cannon known as “Basilica” to throw booms on the walls of the city day and night. Those cannons can throw stone balls as well so after some days the walls get weaker and it also creates pressure on the defender. Due to continuous bombing, the defenders didn’t get a chance to repair the damaged areas of the walls.
![](https://i0.wp.com/historicaldialogue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/walls-of-Constantinople.jpg?resize=201%2C251&ssl=1)
Mehmud II Naval Tactics
Golden Horn played an important role during this war because it was a vital waterway and if any army crossed that waterway, they could be able to conquer the city. That’s why Byzantines blocked that waterway with a heavy chain. Mehmud II knew the importance of the Golden Horn, initially, he ordered to cut off the chain but they couldn’t succeed. After some time, he ordered his Naval to cross the ships through the surface around the chain. This was one of his best Military tactics in history. But it was too hard to move the ships on the surface that’s why he ordered to use of oil and threw it on the surface in a very large amount. Through this way, they become able to cross the chain in just one night and they shock the opponents when they show themselves in front of the city. This military tactic helps Mehmed II to attack the city from various directions. When they cross the Golden Horn, they become closer to the Walls and their cannon attacks become more efficient.
![](https://i0.wp.com/historicaldialogue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Naval-Tactics-of-Sultan-Mehmed-II.jpg?resize=602%2C404&ssl=1)
Fall of the Byzantine Empire
They continue their attack for weeks and due to continuous attack, they almost break the walls. On May 29, 1453, Mehmed II launched his final attack in which he ordered his entire army to participate including elite members. He delivered a speech to his Military commanders the day before his final attack, during his speech he gave instructions that the final attack would start in the early hours because at that time opponents would not be ready for their surprise attack. When they massively attacked, the opponents couldn’t resist anymore and the walls of the city fell. The fall of Constantine was a historic movement because this city resisted so many attacks but finally, it fell, the fall of Constantine was the end of the Byzantine Empire, it was one of the first battles in which the Ottomans used this kind of massive gunpowder artillery.
![](https://i0.wp.com/historicaldialogue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Imginary-Picture-of-Sultan-Mehmed-Entry.jpg?resize=611%2C800&ssl=1)
Legacy
The Capture of Constantinople was a phenomenal victory for Mehmed II, and due to this victory, he earned the Title of “The Conqueror”. After the victory, he upgraded the city and made it the new capital of the Ottoman Empire till now, Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul) is the Capital of Turkey. Constantia was the hub of trade and connected East and West that’s why it attracts people from all over the world. Sultan Mehmed II also brought many artists and designers to enhance the beauty of the city. His victory also changed the geographical landscape of the Middle East and Europe and it also played a vital role in the rise of Ottomans it remained the Capital of the Ottoman Empire till the early 20th Century.