4a Asikpasazade: The Reign of Osman Ghazi _-. Writing in the late 9th/1Sth century, Agikpasazade was one of the founders of a genuine Ottoman historiography. He had some written sources at his disposal, which he fleshed out with oral traditions and 1 dose of speculation, trying-to project a coherent image of Osman (reg. 680-c.724/1281-. 1324), the eponym and founder of the Ottoman dynasty, as the unspoiled nomadic tribal chieftain animated by Ghazi ideals; and of Osman’s career from beg (Turkish equivalent of amir) to khan (or sultan). (Cf. Cemal Kafadar, Benveen Two Worlds: The Construction of the Ottoman State, University of California Press, 1995) ‘Die altosmanische Chronik des ‘Astkpasazade, ed. F. Giese (Leipzig, 1929) pp. 7-35; translation by Robert Dankoff. (Note that Osman is the Turkish pronunciation of "Uthman; in Turkish spelling of proper names, ¢ is pronounced as English j,¢ as ch, ¢ as sh.) How Osman Ghazi became Sultan . . . Ertugral Ghazi heard that Sultan ‘Alaeddin} of the Seljuk dynasty had become King of Rum? He said, “We have to determine the man’s quality. We'll go to that country and perform the ghaza.”"$ Ertugrul Ghazi had three sons, Osman, Gtindiiz, and Saruyat. Together they started out for Rum. While they were nomadizing in the province of Ghazi Hasan of Mosul, Ertugrul Ghazi sent his son Saruyati to ‘Alaeddin, saying, “Provide us with a homeland and we will go and perform the ghaza.” Sultan ‘Alaeddin was extremely happy at their coming, The tekfurS of Sultan Onii and of Karaca Hisar was submissive, so Sultan ‘Alaeddin provided them with Ségiit as their homeland, which was between Karaca Hisar and Bilecik. In addition, he gave them the ranges of Mount Domanig and Enneni Beli, They passed directly through Ankara and settled in that province. Several years later, Ertugrul Ghazi died. They preferred Osman Ghazi to succeed him in Sdgiit. As soon as Osman Ghazi succeeded his father, he began a policy of “feigned friendship” (miidérd) with the neighboring infidels. Meanwhile, he began hostilities with the amir of Germiyan® because the latter was constantly harassing the populace of the surrounding countryside. Osman Ghazi also began to mount hunting expeditions far and wide. How Osman Ghazi began from time to time to make raids at nighttime and in the day ‘At Inegél there was’an infidel named Aya Nikola. When Osman went to the summer pasture or to the winter pasture, Aya Nikola used to harass the migration. Osman Ghazi complained of this to the tekfur of Bilecik, and said, “What we would like from you is to Jet us deposit our baggage with you when we go to the summer pasture.” He agreed. So whenever Osman Ghazi went to the summer pasture, he loaded his baggage on oxen and sent them along with some women to be deposited in Bilecik castle. And when they retumed from the summer pasture, they sent cheese and knotted rugs and flatweaves and lambs in the way of gifts. Then they took back their belongings and went on their way. Apparently ‘Ala’ al-Din Kay Qubad III who ruled intermittantly between 683/1284 and 702/1302. 2Rome, a reference tothe Easiem Roman or Byzantine Empire, ie., Anatolia. 2Ghaza means conducting raids on the indfides. The wartior who wins fame inthis rough-and-ready frontier jihad gets the title of Ghazi. “0k. yurd, permanent grazing grounds, ‘Byzantine prince or govemor. (The tte Tekfur is used instead of Beg for Christan amis.) ‘Turkish amirate (beglit) of westem Anatolia with its capital at KUtahya (ancient Cotiaeum). - 1144a ‘These infidels trusted them completely; but the infidels of Inegbl were wary of Osman, and he of them. One day, Osman Ghazi came through Ermeni Beli with seventy men in order to set fire to Tnegal at night. A spy informed the infidels, who set up an ambush. The spy's name was ‘Araton, Osman Ghazi had a Balkan sailor in his service. He came and informed them that the ambush was situated where the pass of Ermeni Beli debouched into the valley. The thazis pat their trust in God and marched straight toward the ambush. They were all on Foot, There were many infidels. A great battle took place. Osman’s brother Saruyatt’s son, whose name was Bay Hoca, was martyred. This occurred near the village of Hamza Beg, where the pass of Ermeni Beli debouches. Also, there is a ruined caravansaray next to his Shrine. From there, they tumed back and Osman went to the summer pasture. How Osman Ghazi had a dream, to whom he told it, and what its interpretation was ‘Osman Ghazi prayed, and for a moment he wept. He was overcome by drowsiness and he lay dowm and slept. Now in that vicinity there dwelt a certain holy shaykh named Edebali, His many saintly qualities were evident, and he was believed by all the people. By name he was a dervish, but his dervishhood was concealed within; he had an abundance of ‘Worldly goods and wealth, and he had torches and banners [signs of hospitality]. His guest-house was never empty, and Osman Ghazi also came sometimes and was the guest of this holy man. ‘As Osman Ghazi slept, he saw in his dream that a moon arose out of this holy man’s breast and entered Osman Ghazi's breast. Then a tree sprouted out of Osman Ghazi’s navel, and the shadow of the tree covered the entire world. In its shadow, there were mountains, with streams issuing from the foot of each mountain, And from these flowing streams some people drank, and some watered gardens, and some caused fountains to flow. ‘When he awoke, he came to the shaykh and told him the dream. The shaykh said, “Osman, my son’ Sovereignty has been granted to you and your descendants. And my daughter Malhun 1s to be your wife.” He immediately gave his daughter to Osman Ghazi and married them. ‘This shaykh, Edebali, who interpreted Osman Ghazi’s dream and gave tidings of sovereignty for himself and his descendants, had a disciple with him whose name was Komral Dede, son of Dervig Durdi. That dervish now spoke, “O Osman! Since sovereignty has been given to you, itis proper for you to give us some token of gratitude.” Osman replied, “At whatever time I become king, I will give you a city.” The dervish said, “This little village is sufficient for us: we have renounced the city.” Osman Ghazi accepted this. The dervish said, “Give us a document to that effect.” Osman Ghazi replied, “Do you think that J write documents, that you want a document from me? Here is my sword. It was Jeft to me by my father and my grandfather. I will give it to you. And I will also give you a goblet. Let them remain together in your hands, and let them preserve this stamp. And if God accepts me for this service, my descendants will recognize this sign, and will accept your claim.” Now that sword is still in the hands of Kumral Dede’s descendants. And Whenever any of Osman Ghazi’s descendants saw that sword, they bestowed favors upon. those dervishes and they renewed the sword’s scabbard. Every one of the House of Osman sho has become king has made a pilgrimage to that sword. . ooda How certain news reached Sultan ‘Alzeddin, and how the infidels were treating the Muslims “= -Now news reached Sultan ‘Alaeddin that the infidels had fought against Osman Ghazi with large forces and had martyred his brother Saruyati. The sultan said, “It is well-known that the tekfur of Karaca Hisar is our enemy; slso that the amir of Germiyan does not like those strangers (i.e. the Ottomans]. The greater part of the infidels” activities is due to his heedlessness, [know that myself, Now Jet our own amy gather immediately! Shall we let those infidels get away with such actions? Is the zeal of Islam no longer in us?” With this command, a great army gathered to attack Karaca Hisar. ‘Osman Ghazi also came and joined the battle on one side. After the fighting had gone on fora day or two, word artived that the Tatar Bayar’ had taken Eregli, laid waste the houses and the people, and set fire to the city. Sultan ‘Alaeddin summoned Osman Ghazi and handed over to him all the equipment which he had brought to take to Karaca Hisar. He said, “Osman Ghazi, my son! Upon you are many tokens of good fortune. There is no one in the world who will withstand you and your descendants, With you are my prayers, the favor of God, the aspiration of the saints, and the miracles of the Prophet.” With that, he retumed to his province. Osman pressed the battle for several more days. In the end, he ‘captured the fortress, took the tekfur, let the ghazis plunder the city, distributed the houses to the ghazis and to others, and made it a Muslim city. This victory occurred in 687/128. ‘What Sultan ‘Alaeddin did to the Tatars when he came to his province Look now what Sultan ‘Alaeddin did! He headed toward Eregli. When the Tatar learned that the sultan was approaching, he came to meet him at Biga Héyiik. The battle went on for two days and nights. In the end, the Tatars were defeated, The victors went so far as to cut off their testicles, sew the skins together, cover them with felt, and make awnings out of them. Even now, that field of battle is known as the Plain of the Testicles. What Osman Ghazi sent to Sultan ‘Alaeddin and what he received from the Sultan ‘After Osman Ghazi captured Karaca Hisar and took the tekfur, he sent him to the sultan along with numerous items of plunder, in the company of his brother’s son Ak ‘Temtir. Upon Osman Ghazi the sultan bestowed a banner and military band, along with blood horses and ams for the ghaza. When Ak Temitir returned bringing the banner, it was the time of the aftemoon prayer. The drum was beat. Osman Ghazi rose to his feet. To this day, when the House of Osman is on campaign, they rise to their feet whenever the drum is sounded. (Question: Other kings do not have this custom. Why does the House of Osman have in ; Answer: This custom has two distinct meanings. The first is that they are ghazis. The beating of the drum is the announcement of the ghaza, as if to say, “Prepare for ghazal” In response, they rise to their feet, as if to say, “We are ready for the ghaza for the sake of God!” The second reason is that they are people of torches and banners, of table and spread, ready to feed the people of the world. In like wise, it was the custom of the Prophet ‘Abraham, that the drum would be beat at the time of the aftemoon prayer, inviting the ‘TLeader of the Chingizid Mongol forces in Anatolia. yo\