Musa Çelebi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mûsâ Çelebi |
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A portrait of Musa Çelebi. Painted by an artist associated with Veronese's circle, Italy, c. 1580
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| Sultan of the Ottoman Empire (de facto) | |
| Reign | 17 February 1411 − 5 July 1413 |
| Predecessor | Süleyman Çelebi (de facto) |
| Successor | Mehmed I |
| Died | 5 July 1413 Çamurlu (near Samokov) |
| Burial | Sultan Murad Hüdavendigar Complex, Osmangazi, Bursa Province, Turkey |
| Father | Bayezid I |
| Mother | Devletşah Hatun |
| Religion | Sunni Islam |
Musa Çelebi (born around 1402 – died 5 July 1413) was an Ottoman prince. He was a co-ruler of the Ottoman Empire for three years. This happened during a difficult time known as the Ottoman Interregnum, which was like a civil war.
Contents
Early Life and Family
Musa was one of the sons of Bayezid I, who was the fourth Ottoman sultan. His mother was Devletşah Hatun. After his father, Sultan Bayezid I, was defeated in the Battle of Ankara by Tamerlane, the Ottoman Empire faced a lot of trouble.
In 1403, Musa returned to the empire. He tried to claim the throne in Bursa, which was an important Ottoman capital in Anatolia (modern-day Turkey). However, three of his brothers also wanted to become sultan.
- İsa Çelebi was in Balıkesir.
- Mehmed Çelebi was in Amasya.
- Süleyman Çelebi was in Edirne, the European capital of the empire.
At that time, the Ottoman Empire had two capitals. This was because the Byzantine Empire in Constantinople (modern Istanbul) separated the European and Asian parts of the Ottoman lands.
The Ottoman Civil War
İsa Çelebi managed to defeat Musa and took control of Bursa. Musa then went to the Germiyanids' lands, waiting for another chance.
By 1406, Mehmed Çelebi had defeated İsa. Mehmed became the ruler of the Anatolian part of the empire. But he was not strong enough to challenge Süleyman, who controlled the European part.
Mehmed and Musa met in Kırşehir in central Anatolia. They formed an alliance against Süleyman. Many local Turkish rulers in Anatolia also supported this alliance.
As part of their plan, Musa traveled to the European side of the empire. He teamed up with Mircea, the ruler of Wallachia. This meant Süleyman now had to fight on two fronts: against Mehmed in Anatolia and against Musa in Europe.
This plan partly worked. Süleyman gave up his goal of conquering Anatolia. However, he still managed to defeat Musa in battles at Kosmidion and Edirne.
Even after these defeats, Musa kept fighting Süleyman using quick attacks. By 1410, Süleyman had lost many of his allies because of his difficult personality.
In 1411, Musa's tactics finally led to victory. He captured Edirne. Süleyman tried to escape into Byzantine lands but was killed by villagers on 18 February 1411. With Süleyman gone, Musa became a co-sultan of the empire.
Musa as Co-Sultan
The exact details of the alliance between Mehmed and Musa are not fully clear. Musa declared himself the sultan of the European part of the empire. However, Mehmed saw Musa as someone who should obey him.
Musa then attacked Constantinople (modern Istanbul), the Byzantine capital. He did this because the Byzantine emperor, Manuel II Palaiologos, had supported Süleyman in earlier battles.
Emperor Manuel II asked Mehmed for help. Mehmed then turned against Musa and formed a new alliance with the Byzantines. This alliance was aimed at defeating Musa.
In 1411 and 1412, Mehmed's forces fought against Musa's. In both battles, Mehmed was defeated.
In 1413, Mehmed gained more support. He got help from the Serbian ruler Stefan Lazarević and the Turkish ruler of the Dulkadirids. Some generals from Musa's own army also joined Mehmed.
Mehmed's forces defeated Musa's army in the Battle of Çamurlu. This battle took place near Samaku (now Samokov, Bulgaria). Musa was injured and tried to escape, but he was found and killed on 5 July 1413.
What Happened Next
Musa's death brought an end to the Ottoman Interregnum. His brother, Mehmed Çelebi, became the sole ruler and was known as Sultan Mehmed I.
However, the period of unrest wasn't completely over. In 1416, Sheikh Bedreddin, who had been a chief judge under Musa, led a rebellion against Mehmed I. This revolt was not successful.
There were also two more rebellions by Mustafa Çelebi. He was another son of Bayezid I who had been hiding. Mustafa also claimed the throne. He fought against his brother Mehmed I in 1416 and later against his nephew Murad II in 1421, but he was also defeated.
Family Life
Musa Çelebi was married two times:
- He married Arina of Wallachia in 1403. She was the daughter of Mircea I of Wallachia.
- He married an illegitimate daughter of Carlo I Tocco in 1412.
Images for kids
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A portrait of Musa Çelebi.
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An Akçe coin from Musa Çelebi's rule.
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Musa, as shown in a 17th-century book called Histoire des Turcs by Thomas Artus.
