Osmania - an Ottoman Mania

Osmania - an Ottoman Mania



Chapter I - Anatolian Expansion (1419-1423)


Osmania, the maniac military empire located in the areas of the ancient Byzantine Empire, sees that its time for glory has come. 60 000 savage Turks are getting ready for the moment they have long awaited - the gatering of the Anatolian heartland - and soon, the fall of Constantinople as well.

The sultan gets prepared by ordering a centralization of the state as well as saving money through modest rationing of the troops. The Sunnis and Orthodox citizens also get their identities recognized at the cost of alienating Catholics and Shiites.

The strike against the Karaman Turks is being made ready. Thousands of Turks stationed in the Balcans are shipped across the northern Aegean sea, while the others march toward the mountainous areas in the east. War is declared against Karaman in February 1419 just as king winter is receding from the Taurus mountains.

The First Anatolian War

The Ottomans divide their armies into groups consisting of 6000 infantry and 1000 cavalry. The main part of the cavalry is placed in Anatolia and Smyrna to guard the cannons that will be put to use later. A company from Angora attacks Adana as two companies from Smyrna invade Konya. The Karaman troops await them, but are quickly beaten and flee to Taurus. The second company chases them and defeats them outside the Karaman capital.

The rest of the war goes well for the Ottomans as all the Anatolian provines are covered by medium sized Turkish companies. The Karamans move around in the mountains in panic, and after a while they are completely eliminated. As the Karaman cities are besieged and made ready to fall, the Ottomans see the opportunity to snatch Trebizon from the hostile Candar which recently annexed the realm.

The Ottomans, that now are being led by the supreme commander, Sultan Murad II, takes the fight to the Black Sea shores. The strong armies of Candar are ruthlessly beaten by Murad II, and soon their cities are besieged. The fall of the Karaman cities results in the aquisition of Adana and Konya for the Ottomans, in addition to 50 ducats and the vassalization of Karaman. The state officials also report to the figthing sultan that they have achieved breakthroughs in their studies on military tactics and production of arms. This is welcomed by the sultan who rapidly applies these new methods into the leadership of his companies.

The Candar provinces are soon defeated and the gracious sultan demands Trebizon, 75 gold coins and the vassalization of Candar. The Candar ally, Teke, is beaten in blazing speed, and must also accept the status of vassal after depleting its treasury.

The First Anatolian War ends with the defeat of the three Turkish would-be sultanates, and the Ottoman Empire acquires three provinces and three vassals. The sultan constructs tax collectors in most of his provinces in the hope that these will aid the troubled Ottoman economy.

Osmania at the start of 1424


The next steps will soon be decided on by the Ottoman council, and much suggest that the Byzantine Empire is seen as ripe for conquest.

Chapter II - Sunni Supremacy (1424-1428)


The First Assault on Byzantium

After having established its hegemony in Anatolia, the blood thirsty Ottomans decide to unleash their savage soldiers on the archaic Byzantines. The attack on Constantinople is carried out in March 1424 after the key positions in Anatolia and the Balcans have been covered by local milita groups - to ensure that the Byzantines can't just flee into and besiege Ottoman land.

The attack is successful as Murad II leads 15 000 cavalry and 10 000 infantry against the 20 000 spearmen that are positioned below the walls of the Greek city. They are rapidly dispatched northward by Murad II, that in his frenzy leaves behind a small force to besiece the city while he himself pursues the Byzantines into Rumelia.

The battles in the north are soon history, and the fall of the city is imminent in a few short months. The reports of the Mameluke caliphate's efforts in forcing Syrian Sunni Muslims over to the Shiite faction reaches the ear of the sultan in the autumn of 1425. He decides to clear up the situation, and thus to ensure Sunni Supremacy within the Islamic world.

The First Invasion of the Mameluk Caliphate

After the fall of Constantinople, the sultan marches his troops across Anatolia, into the borderlands of Syria. He takes with him 15 000 cavalry and 10 000 infantry and defeats the border guards outside the city of Aleppo. He soon moves into Syria proper with a vast host. The infantry companies awaiting commands in the Taurus mountains are ordered into the province of Aleppo.

The siege of Syria is quickly finished and as Murad II moves into Samaria, the northern army is all about finished in Aleppo. The Mamelukes have however gathered a mighty horde in Lebanon, and this 20 000 strong army now moves into Syria to retake it. Fortunately the missionary activites in Syra were stopped by the Ottoman occupants. The siege of Samaria is prolonged, and the Mamelukes regains control of Syria. The force that has taken Aleppo moves into Lebanon to avoid being caught on open ground by Mameluk camels.

When Samaria falls Murad II is able to rout the Mameluks in Syria, and he achieves a stunning victory there by the end of 1426. The rest of the Mameluks are soundly beaten in Aleppo, and the Syrian cities are taken once again. The rest of the Levant is under Ottoman control by mid 1427, and the time has come to bring the war to Egypt itself.

In the west:
The cowards in the merchant republic of Venice declare war during 1427, probably shaken into fear by the display of the Ottomans in the east. Their master, the Knights, are not, however, ready for war, and quickly dispatches an emissary to the Ottoman court begging for peace. The sultan's vizier graciously accepts their proposal and the western front is safe for now.

The occupation of Constantinople was meant to secure that city for the Turks, but due to the Byzantine stubborness against the Athenians that have occupied Morea, they refuse to give away their capital to the Ottomans. The sultan realizes that he can use the money and that the might city will be retaken another day. He accepts 150 ducats and withdraws his troops from Thrace.

Back to the war:
The Mamelukes seemed strong in Syria, but their forces are seriously depleted in their homeland. Some mere 3000 spearmen await Murad II in Cairo, and soon the Mameluk lands are covered by Ottoman battle standards. The sieges of the Nile provinces are done by the coming of autumn in 1428, and when Alexandria falls, a peace deal is signed.

The Mamelukes agree to stop leading the Sunnis of their territories into heresy, and they are kept to their promise by having to change their state religion into Sunni. They also pay 150 ducats to aid in the rebuilding of Ottoman lands troubled by the recent wars.

Osmania by the end of 1428


What is next then? The economy is not yet sufficiently good. There are also numerous provinces with diverging religious views. The Ottoman advicors debate the political situation thoroughly and look forward to present their ideas to the sultan as the new year approaches (* new year according to the European calendar).

Chapter III - Economy and Religion (1429-1433)


The Ottoman economy is weak, much because lots of resorces have been spent on war throughout the last decade. An important reason is that most of the realm's citizens are Orthodox Christians. These citizens refuse to pay their fair share of the taxes, and so, the Ottoman council have come up with a modest proposal: The Ottoman official imams will convert these people to the Sunni faith.

The first choice for trying out this new project is Rumelia in the Christian Balcans. The people there aren't numerous and they seem to be easily fooled by our scheming. The imams are dispatched to the province by the start of 1429, and they plan to finish their work during 1434. So far, the reports have been good, as more and more people in Rumelia are willing to embrace the Sunni Islamic faith.

In the sector of economy, there are also other aspects to consider. One is the lack of central authority, although this is cared for by reforms carried out in the begining of 1429. The limited trading done by our merchants is yet another of those points. The sultan has decided to flood the Alexandrine markets with Turks in order to claim our fair share of the booty. Our merchants report back that they have managed to claim four seats in the trader's guild in the city. Their contribution to Ottoman economy is much appreciated.

Meanwhile the Turks have remained peaceful for some years, our neighboors have been extremely active. The Black Sheeps and their Golden counterparts have ruthlessly attacked and destroyed the nations of Dulkadir, Kara Koyunlu and Georgia. The Ottomans need to watch the northeastern front carefully.

The good news is that the heretic populations in Dagestan and Kalmuk have converted to Sunni Islam. Expansion in this area would undoubtedly increase the number of believers in the Ottoman realm, be it either through force our through court room scheming...

Osmania by the end of 1433


The next actions need careful consideration by the sultan. His dream of capturing Constantinople and making it into a Turkish capital for an empire stretching from Persia to Austria is still on his mind. Perhaps the opportunity will arise during the next few years?

RGB said:

This AAR is tremendously fast-paced. Maybe you should slow down a little bit - the Fall of Constantinople should be a very big event, but you treat it in just one sentence.

What are your long-term historical goals?

Click to expand...

Well, I think that it was meant to be a little fast paced... But maybe I have to reconsider this point...

The fall of Constantinople will be a major happening, when the time for it's permanent fall comes.



My long term goals are to take all the core provinces of the Ottomans as well as taking as many Sunni and Arabic provinces as possible. I will then try to convert all those provinces to the Sunni Islamic faith. Another goal is to vassalize most European states, to prevent them from attacking me.

Cyrus_The_Great said:

/subscribed

I like this AAR, its a little fast though but i still like everything how it is right now.

Click to expand...

Thanks, great to hear.

I'll update it very soon.

Chapter IV - Conversions and Greed (1434-1438)


The efforts to convert the Slavic peoples in coastal Bulgaria has been successful. Rumelia is the first European Islamic province. The sultan is very pleased and excited about it, and in order to eradicate heretics in Anatolia he has ordered that we need to retrieve the funds necesssary to let the imams go on with their business.

The War against the Eastern Mediterranean Alliance

In the year of 1435, just following the successful conversions, the sultan launches an attack on Georgia that is bordering the Empire in the northeast. This nation is greatly troubled by the relentless attacks from Kurds and Tartars, and the Ottoman force quickly gains control of Tblisi. The Turks carry off 150 gold coins on their way home.

The Georgian alliance partners, namely the crusading order called The Knights of St. John, as well as the filthy merchant republic of Venice, have, however, besieged Turkish Balcans in the mean time. The Ottoman fleet is ordered out of its port and engages the warships of the Mediterranean powers outside Smyrna. The Ottomans are successful, and soon the sultan marches his troops across the straights.

The campaign against the Knights in the Balcans is halted by the fall of Macedonia. A small force is left in Macedonia while the sultan leads his army to confront the enemy in Rumelia. The Christian army is thrice beaten soundly along the Black Sea shores, and with no enemies left to fight, the sultan aids the siege force in Macedonia. The retaking of Macedonia results in a modest victory for the Turks, and yet another 150 ducats flow into the treasury of Bursa.

Economic priorities

With the war over, and 300 pieces of gold won, the sultan decides to send missionaries to Adana and Dobrudja. The Empire is gaining more and more religious homogenity and its economic base will be strenghtened considerably. Because of the wars the Ottoman merchants has had hard times, but thanks to the peace treaty the traders are able to return to their whereabouts in Alexandria.

Osmania and the regions surrounding it by the end of 1438


As can be seen from the map, the Ottoman Empire is still surrounded by a lot of smaller entities. The hope is that the sultan can snatch pieces of the regional powers as soon as they lay their hands on their weaker neighboors. The Athenian occupation of Morea continues as the Byzantines are unwilling to give it up for real. Perhaps the Ottomans need to get into that conflict?

Chapter V - The Fall of Constantinople (1439-1443)


The one single thing that has troubled the noble sultan lately is that the splendour and riches of Constantinople is still on the hands of the Greeks. The Byzantines have for a long time been at war with their fellow Greeks from Athens. The Athenian party has occupied the southern Byzantine possessions in the Morea peninsula, but the most recent news is that the emperor has given up Morea to the Athenians.*

* Since the war between Athens and Byzantium has been going on for almost 20 years, with the Athenians continuosly occupying Morea and standing with 35 000 idle troops in Greece, I had to intervene to end it. If I had not 'fixed' the savegame file by transfering Morea to Athens, this 'war' would have dragged on until 1820, effectively limiting the Ottomans thanks to a known AI flaw.

The Byzantines, weary of the recent conflicts, have decided to join ranks with the pope. The so called 'Union of the churches' was heavily debated but still decided upon by the Byzantines and their western counterparts in the city of Florence early in this year 1439. As these news have reached our ears, a call for jihad against the last remnants of the Byzantine Empire is heard everywhere in Anatolia. Thousands of eager Turks have come into the service of the sultan, in order to undertake this most noble task: The conquest of Constantinople.

The sultan has also accepted Teke into his grand Turkish alliance, and he plans to invite the others too when the time is ripe. Through court room scheming, the sultan wishes to gain complete control of these minor principalities, but he is aware that bribery is needed. In order to do this, the ecomony needs to be strenghtened. The conquest of Constantinople is indeed crucial for the Ottoman Empire.

The Last War on Byzantium

The Turkish army, led by its sultan, Murad II, is indeed a mighty view as more than 20 000 lances and spears reflect the sun light of the Macedonian coast. The sultan has placed small contingents of troops in the key areas surrounding Constantinople, so that any Greek cowards fleeing from the battle might be apprehended and put to death. The drums of the Ottoman corps begin to sound on May the 23rd 1439...

The sultan intends to storm the city and its pitiful spearmen defenders, but when he sees the foe rushing toward him on the open plains of Macedonia, he is utterly assured that this war will be over in a few short moments. The Byzantine footsoldiers are easily dispatched to their end by the supreme Ottoman cavalries on the plains of Macedonia on the eve of June the 18th, and the remnants of their army is pursued back to Thrace.

When the Greek companies making up a mere 6000 troops are slaughtered outside the gates of Constantinople on July the 5th, the long awaited siege of the city may begin. More than 20 000 Turks relentlessly throw their spears and arrows against the walls of the city, and when the dreaded Ottoman cannons unleash their fury against the ancient fortress, Ottoman morale increases drastically.

Despite some attacks by milita still loyal to the Byzantines, the siege is over on February the 4th 1440. The sultan now has his hands on the great city. He is, however, a bit worried about the Ottoman reputation, and he spends some time debating with his vizier what to do. On the 14th of June, he has come to a decision, and he announces that Constantinople henceforth shall be a Turkish city, and hopefully also the capital of his empire.

The reactions in Catholic Europe arrive swiftly in the Ottoman court, and are needless to say, rather outrageous. It seems as if the Europeans do not accept the fate of the Byzantines. Well, that leaves the sultan little choice, from now on, the Catholic realms of Europe are his sworn enemies.

A new glorious future

With Constantinople firmly placed under Ottoman control, a new era descends on the Empire. The sultan's dreams of a unified Sunni Islamic Empire stretching from Austria in the west, to Persia in the east, seem to be closer to realization. The Byzantine metropolis has for more than a thousand years been the site of the Christian patriarchate, but from July the 9th and onwards, this will no longer be the case. The Ottoman confiscations of Christian property are transfered to the section of religious conversion, and the subjects of Macedonia are the new goals for our imams.

The great city is indeed the finest city of the known world, and the sultan's vision contains that this city should be the new capital. On the 30th of July 1440, he proclaims Constantinople as capital, and through a massive change of public religious mentality, the overwhelmingly Christian populations of Thrace and Western Anatolia accept Sunni Islam as their religion. The sultan is overly pleased, and rushed by his recent fortunes, he even breaks the economic bonds to the Italian merchant empires of Venice and Genoa. The sultan establishes the new and splendid trade center in Constantinople on August the 16th, and thus ensures a prosperous future for Turkish economy.

The conversion processes taking place in Dobrudja and Adana are reported to be successful on the eve of the conquest of the metropolis, and the money retrieved from the spoils of war are spent on converting the populations of Macedonia and Trabzon as well. Optimism is spreading in the Empire, and the official state scientists and advicors tell of breakthroughs in both military and economic theories.

Because of the recent wars, the sultan wishes to build the economy and internal systems of government for the coming years. The centralizing efforts of the government as well as the diplomatic bribery of the small Turks give results. The small sultanate of Teke accepts full integration into the larger Ottoman state during the autumn of 1443, and quite soon, Candar and Karaman shall follow.

Osmania in the greater European context by the end of 1443


The future is bright, and the efforts to Islamize the Empire has been successful. The question on what to do with the Caucasian powers arises, but the Western front is expected to catch fire at any moment now, following the embarrassing defeat of the 'Union of the churches'...

RGB said:

Great achievements.

Click to expand...

Thanks, I feel that the campaign has been relatively successful so far, yes. The late fall of Constantinople is maybe a limiting factor, but from now on it seems as if the necessary economic base of the state is laid.

But of course the Europeans are going to be upset about Constantinople - but then you don't have to pay attention to them.

Click to expand...

Yeah, the Europeans are unizonely angry at me now, as most of them have -200 relations to me... But what does that matter if they continue to fight among themselves. Isn't that the very reason why the Ottomans were successful historically, that the Europeans fought among themselves?

It opens up considerable possibilities for the Empire, that's for sure. Hopefully I'll be able to post some updates within one or two days. The strike on the Balcans is imminent according to the vizier...

If I don't attack them, they'll bring the war to me, I'm sure. That's why I don't need to pay attention to them.

Chapter VI - Solidifying the Homeland (1444-1448)


Following the successful assault and take over of Constantinople, the sultan has decided to strengthen his territories and gain control of the areas still under control by lesser princes. The small sultanates of Candar and Karaman should be incorporated into the greater Ottoman Turkish state, and the heretic populations in the outskirts of the Empire should be converted to the true faith.

The sultan's strategy for gaining full control over the lesser Turks is to provide them with expencive gifts. Candar is presented with a lot of gifts throughout the year of 1445, and thanks to extensive courtroom intrigues, the ruler of Candar finally lays down his crown before the sultan's feet on March the 28th 1446. This small northern province will henceforth be a part of our realm.

At the same time our vizier gets messages from our riders. In the east the accursed Greeks of Trabzon has ruthlessly beheaded our faithful imam and thrown his remains into the Black Sea. Infuriated by these news, the sultan calls the other rider over. He has a more fortunate story to tell, and happily announces that the Greeks of Macedonia have become virtuous Sunni Muslims. The process of achieving religious homogenity is on its way despite the troubles faced in Trabzon.

The next months is used to ensure that the petty ruler of Karaman understands what serves his nation best, that is to throw in its lots with the Ottomans. Three expencive gifts are presented to this fool before he accepts his destiny. Karaman finally succumbs to Ottoman rule on the 27th of February 1448. Most of Anatolia is now under direct Ottoman rule, but the eastern part is still occupied by the Kurds.

War is raging both in the east and in the west. The Empire sees a chance to intervene and grab some land and money. In the east, the alliance of Ak Koyunlu and the Golden Horde is occupied in massive wars against the Mamelukes and against the Timurid-Kaliphate alliance. The dream of taking the solid and somewhat wealthy provinces of the Caucasus is tempting the sultan.

At the same time there are lots of wars in Europe. The smaller states in the Balcans are fighting the heavier Catholic alliances. Perhaps the Turks can jump in and take out something of value...

Osmania by the end of 1448, the religious situation looks brighter...


War time is coming once again upon the Empire, will it be in the east or in the west?

Chapter VII - Eastward Expansion (1449-1453)


The First War of the Caucasus

After suppressing a revolt in Macedonia, the Ottoman troops head for Trabzon. The recent war between Ak Koyunlu and its neighboors has spurred the bloodlust of the sultan. He means to invade the White Sheep lands while they are away on campaigns in the south and east. More than 20 000 Turks have gathered in Trabzon when the call to arms sounds on the first of October 1449.

The Ottoman troops led by the sultan attack Armenia and besiege the city of Yerevan. A smaller contingent of cavalries ride into the plains of Dagestan and surround the fortress there. News of a Mameluk siege of Sivas reach the sultan's ears, and he immediately decides to aid our former enemies in their efforts to tear down the walls of Sivas. The siege force is successful and because the sultan is the foremost gentleman present, he claims that Sivas is now under Ottoman control.

The sieges in Armenia and Dagestan are also successful with no interference by the native Kurds. When the sultan gets reports that the large White Sheep army is bewildered in the southern deserts, he quickly launches his attacks on Kurdistan and Nuyssaybin. Some Mamelukes decide to help the Turks in Kurdistan, and the sultan repays the favor by helping their leaderless forces in Azerbaijan.

The three sieges in the southern part of the Ak Koyunlu realm result in the Ottoman take over of also these provinces. The leadership of the Sheep confederacy are desperate, and after refusing to give up precious Armenia together with Dagestan and Sivas, they offer instead Dagestan, Sivas and Azerbaijan in November 1451. The sultan is wise and accepts their offer, well-knowing that a fierce Sheep horde led by Usun Hasan is making its way north heading out of the Syrian desert.

The war ends with a major Ottoman victory, adding three new Turkish Sunni provinces to the realm. The war against the Golden Horde, the alliance partner of the Sheep, is graciously finished by the sultan although he sees them as an easy target thanks to the massive internal revolts that are destroying their realm.

Throne Succession

Tax collectors are built in the new provinces and a new ruler, Mehmed II, rises to the throne in succession of his father, the famous and feared Murad II. With the advent of Mehmed II, the east seems very secure for the Ottomans. The question about what to do with the Europeans has laid in silence ever since the fall of Constantinople. In fact, the only western power the Turks have attacked is the old Byzantines. Perhaps the time of Mehmed II will change that. By the end of 1453 the army officers tell of new great methods of waging war. The Ottoman military is considerably strengthened.

Osmania by the end of 1453

Chapter VIII - Conquests in the West (1454-1458)


The First War in the Balcans

The sultan, quite apparently excited about his recent exploits in the east, has decided to lead the banners of the Ottomans toward our western neighboors. The peoples of the Balcans shall soon taste Ottoman steel.

The pitiful kingdom of Serbia is up against the combined forces of Hungary and Croatia. This Catholic union is strong in the Balcans and may pose a treath to the Empire if they are not properly taken care of in time, but while the sultan is aware of this, he now sees them as helpful for his cause. Since they are also fighting the Serbs, it would be legal according to the rules of engagement for the sultan to attain control of their siege - only as long as he shows up in person.

Mehmed II shouts the war cry on the onset of 1454. 20 000 Turks are ready to follow him into whatever peril he intends to embark on. The sultan leads 2000 cavalries into Serbia and takes command of the siege in that province. The remaining companies are sent against the invading forces of Moldavia, a Serbian ally located to the north of our realm.

Trouble is however stirring in the east, where the relentless Georgians now allied to Serbia, decide to strike against Dagestan. The cavalry forces stationed there stand their ground and stop the first attack. The Georgians are not willing to give up it seems. They recruit massive armies in their mountains and throw wave after wave against the firm but outnumbered Turkish defenders. New regiments are commissioned in Azerbaijan. The 'Enderun', the Imperial College, is founded during 1454, and through this instrument of war, the Ottomans shall be able to flood Europe with its willing followers.

The siege in Serbia is over in a few weeks, and the sultan moves his troops into Kosovo. He hopes to take this province and use it as a bridgehead to amass even more territory in the west. The siege takes more time than intended and the besieging forces are troubled by the news that Moldavians are ravaging Dobrudja. The Turks expected a short war with few casualties, but the situation by the advent of 1455 looks somewhat grim. A flare of light is that the Greeks of Trabzon finally have embraced Islam.

The sultan tries to inspire his forces to tear down the walls of Kosovo, and as through a wonder, Kosovo falls to the Ottomans during 1455. The sultan quickly makes peace with Serbia, taking 150 ducats and adding Kosovo to his realm. The Cypriot alliance leader has little to fight for and makes a peace with the Ottomans surrendering 75 gold coins. The Cypriot allies, Georgia and Moldavia, that are both troubling the northern and eastern provinces of the Turks, are hence abruptly cut off from the conflict - and the Ottomans get away from further problems.

The Second War in the Balcans

The fires of the recent war have not yet been quenched when the excellent sultan Mehmed II decides to go to war again. This time he has pointed out the annoying Duchy of Athens as the primary target. Their Italian city state allies should not prove to be very troublesome. War starts on the eve of 1455. Newly acquired Kosovo is honored with a tax collectors office before the imams show up...

A cavalry army led by the sultan himself quickly routes the patethic resistance encountered in Athens. A minor force in Albania comes to the aid of their Athenian counterparts but is smashed without mercy by the frenzied Ottomans. The siege of Athens may begin. At the same time thousands of troops from Macedonia head for Albania. This mountainous province is sure to be hard to besiege.

The besieging armies in Athens have to hold their ground for a long time before the city's walls start to break. When they do break, they are torn down quickly. By midsummer 1457 Athens has fallen, and the sultan joins his forces in Albania. New companies have joined the forces fighting in Greece, and thanks to the difficult terrain and hard weather, they only arrive to replace Ottomans that have succumbed to disease and hunger.

The siege in Albania lasts well into the year of 1458. At the same time, some brave Turks have managed to beat the defenders in Morea and lain siege to the administrative town. The sultan and his armies are able to gain complete control of Albania by late spring 1458. He then rushes to Morea in the hope that the war might be over within the turn of the year.

The remaining armies thunder north to defeat some Italians that have bewildered themselves into Ottoman Black Sea territory. The Ottoman fleets have made frequent attacks on Italian ships sailing around the Greek area, and have won some astonishing victories. When Morea gives in to the Ottoman forces surrounding it, Mehmed II is not slow in making peace with the Athenians. He demands Albania, Morea and 100 ducats.

The sultan's next move migth be discussed, and could be seen by some monarchs as rather odd. After securing Albania, the sultan offers limited self governance to the province. Under the leadership of Skanderbeg, Albania is to remain an autonomous part of Osmania for the time being. The vizier notes that the foreign culture and Catholic religion of Albania might cause trouble for national harmony in the Empire at this point. He does however underline that Albania's freedom is under Ottoman supervision.

The Italian states, Tuscany, the Papal states, and some insignificant other, refuse to sign a peace treaty with the sultan, but as they lose more sea battles and have their expeditionary forces in Dobrudja despatched to an early retirement, the Tuscans agree to pay 75 ducats to rebuild the sacked province of Dobrudja.

The Ottomans have fought two wars, gaining some money and 3 provinces. The enemies are weakened, and the Empire looks stronger than ever. The technologically advanced nations of Europe should look out for the wrath of the sultan.

Osmania by the end of 1458

Chapter IX - War on the Western Powers (1459-1468)


The Short Polish War

The sultan's taste for blood and more territory is not yet satisfied. He dreams of an expansion into the Adriatic Sea, and when he sees Bosnia besieging Polish Ragusa, he immediately orders an invasion. The invading Turks, led by the sultan, gain control of the siegeforce in Ragusa, and in a few short weeks, the city has surrendered. The Turks try to gain the province in a peace deal, but as the rest of the Poles are hiding behind the Carpathian mountains, the Turks are not able to meet them on open ground.

The sultan soon gets tired of playing with the cowardly Poles, and he decides to let Ragusa go away for 150 ducats. The war ends with no Ottoman expansion, but the treasury is strengthened and Ragusa slips away from Poland anyway, as Bosnians and rebels fight over it following the Turkish withdrawal.

Local rebellions are weakening Imperial control in Konya, but steadfast attacks by the sultan's army break the rebels' hold on central Anatolia. The heretic population of Kosovo also accepted the state religion, something that utterly pleases our sultan. The new war academy has apparently proved its value already as a new splendid military commander has joined the ranks of Ottoman officers. Gedik Ahmed is sure to be a glorious star on the sky of Ottoman war legends.

The Hungarian War

The sultan has just arrived in Kosovo when he is confronted by a messenger who claims to have news of imperial importance. The herald announces that the kingdom of Hungary has declared war against the Ottoman Empire. Their filthy Croatian cousins have also joined as well as some Cypriots. The sultan is utterly shocked by this act of insolence from the Hungarian king, but then he thinks about the exploits possible to gain from the conflict. The sultan immediately orders that 20 000 cavalries be recruited from the newly built Imperial College. This chance shall not slip away from him...

The peace treaty with Poland was signed on March the 1st 1462, and the war declaration by Hungary was made on April the 5th the same year. The peace in the Empire has been scarce lately, but glory awaits our troops on the battlefield. The Turks are getting ready for an epic struggle - over who gets the upper hand in the Balcans, Hungary or Osmania...

The sultan takes his contingent of cavalry north into Serbia, after defeating the defenders, he scouts around and enters Banat. Minor skirmishes in this area occur until the huge Hungarian army closes in on the sultan's task force. He chooses to retreat into Kosovo. Gedik Ahmed takes his troops to the east to fight Hungarian companies besieging Dobrudja. He loses the first battle and moves to Rumelia awaiting fresh recruits from Thrace.

Our vassals in Albania have deceitfully opened their borders to fighting forces from Croatia. The Albanians are on the other hand headed for defeat as the Athenians are treathening to reconquer their lands. The cavalries recuited in Thrace add well to the limited resorces of the sultan. Ahmed also recieves a fair share of the fresh recruits and intends to take revenge on the Hungarians. Mehmed II begins a siege in Serbia, leading a force of 12 000 horsemen. Beograd falls to the sultan in January 1463. The failed conversion of the Bulgars is a thorn in the side for the sultan, but his recent victories in this war is an offset for this annoyance.

While the sultan rushes into the Hungarian plains, Ahmed continues to struggle with the Hungarians in Dobrudja. After being defeated another time, the province surrenders to Hungary. The Hungarian war machine wheels to the northwest as Lithuania has made war on Hungary, what a fortunate incident for the Ottomans. Mehmed II succeeds in several smaller battles against scattered Hungarians in Banat and Pest, and finally lays siege to Banat and Pest during spring time 1463.

The sieges are quick, and as Pest and Banat fall to the Turks, Dobrudja is retaken by Ahmed. By 1464, most of southern Hungary is falling to Osmania, with Odenburg being taken in August 1464. At this time, the sultan feels confident enough to start demanding territories from the Hungarians. His plan is to gain Serbia, Banat and Pest, so that his future territories won from Croatia will not be cut off from the rest of the Empire. The Turkish emissaries return to him with the message of a clear Hungarian 'no'. The war thus has to continue.

During late autumn 1464, the major part of the Turkish strike force is assembled in occupied Pest. The sultan is aware of the huge Hungarian force numbering more than 40 000 troops stationed in Magyar. He needs to do something with this force, or else he will risk to have his task forces eliminated one by one. The winter is particularly harsh, but during spring time, it is decided upon to assault Magyar itself. The army of 25 000, mostly cavalry, is led straight into the Hungarian capital. The battle against 40 000 Hungarians is long to be remembered since the Turks won an astonishing victory. The rest of the Hungarians flee to Maros and Carpatia.

The sultan decides to take down Presburg before occupying Magyar. He moves to the northwest and lays siege to the city. During February 1466, Presburg falls. Time has come to do something with Croatia. Polish forces are already attacking this state, and Gedik Ahmed sets off with 2000 horsemen. He maintains control of the siege command and he takes down Croatia bit by bit.

The siege force in Magyar is victorious in April 1466, and the sultan moves on to Maros. By February 1467, Presburg is retaken by Hungary, while Maros has not yet fallen to the sultan. The continous peace offers by the sultan are refused by the Hungarians. Maros is taken in May, and the sultan moves back to Presburg which is reoccupied in November 1467. The Hungarians are trying to take back Maros and Magyar, but for some reason, they leave their sieges right before the fortresses falls. This is an unexpected but welcome help for the sultan.

Dalmatia, falls, and since both Krain and Croatia are under Ottoman control, the Croatians can not do anything else than accepting the Ottoman peace terms of January 1468. Dalmatia and Krain, in addition to 175 ducats are handed over to the Ottomans. The Hungarians, seeing themselves rather surrounded by the Turks, and left alone by their allies, finally accept the sultan's demands made in February 1468. Serbia, Banat and Pest are ceded to Osmania, forever changing the political balance in the region.

During the war, the subdued peoples of Ragusa and Wallacia declared their independence and made war on their former oppressors, respectively Poland and Hungary. The Ottoman vizier sees these events as beneficial, and hopes to see the provinces fall to weaker powers, such as Bosnia, Athens or Croatia. The Ottomans are bent on dominating the Slavic world. Morea also rebelled during the war, and efforts are made to quell it.

Looking back on the recent decade, the sultan is pleased to see that 5 provinces are added to his realm, as well as seeing his chief enemy considerably weakened.

Osmania by the end of 1468


The sultan is a popular guy...

Thanks guys, I'll update it even more in a few days.

I remind you all that this is an EU2 1.09 game VH-N.