The question of “Who is Uzun Hasan?” has an important place in research on Turkish history and especially the Ottoman period. Uzun Hasan, one of the most powerful rulers of the Akkoyunlu State, lived in the 15th century and left a great impact on his time. In this article, we will examine the question of “Who is Uzun Hasan?” in detail. We will examine Uzun Hasan’s life, reign, military and political achievements, and his influence on the Akkoyunlu State. While seeking the answer to the question of “ Who is Uzun Hasan? ”, we will also review his relations with the Ottoman Empire and other important events of the period. Thus, we aim to provide a comprehensive answer to the question of “Who is Uzun Hasan?”
Who is Uzun Hasan? Uzun Hasan’s Life
Birth and Family
Uzun Hasan was born in 1423 near Diyarbakır. Uzun Hasan, whose real name was Hasan bin Ali, was the grandson of Kara Yülük Osman, the founder of the Akkoyunlu State. His father, Ali Bey, and his mother, Sara Hatun, played an important role in Uzun Hasan’s education and the formation of his character. Uzun Hasan’s nickname “Uzun” stemmed from his height, and this nickname became synonymous with his name over time.
Ascension to the Throne and Early Years
Uzun Hasan became the head of the Akkoyunlu State after the death of his father Ali Bey. In his early years, he worked to organize the internal affairs of the state and strengthen the central authority. He suppressed internal conflicts, gave the Akkoyunlu State a solid structure and organized its relations with neighboring states. During this period, Uzun Hasan’s diplomatic skills and military strategies attracted attention.
The Reign of Uzun Hasan
Strengthening of the Akkoyunlu State
Uzun Hasan transformed the Akkoyunlu State into a great power during his reign. He expanded the state’s borders with internal reforms and successful military campaigns and gained superiority over other powers in the region. One of Uzun Hasan’s greatest goals was to regain power over the remnants of the Timurid Empire. To this end, he participated in many campaigns in the east and west and achieved important victories.
Military Achievements
One of Uzun Hasan’s most important military successes was his defeat of the Karakoyunlu State in 1467. With this victory, the Akkoyunlu State took control of most of Iran and Azerbaijan. Following this victory, Uzun Hasan also fought against major states such as the Ottoman Empire and the Mamluk Sultanate.
Relations with the Ottoman Empire
Uzun Hasan’s relations with the Ottoman Empire were quite complex. In the mid-15th century, there were conflicts with the Ottoman Sultan Mehmet II (Fatih Sultan Mehmet) for various reasons. One of the most prominent events was the Battle of Otlukbeli in 1473. In this battle, Uzun Hasan suffered a great defeat against the Ottoman army and the Akkoyunlu State suffered significant losses. However, Uzun Hasan’s resistance and strategic maneuvers stopped the Ottoman Empire’s advance in the east for a while.
Political and Cultural Contributions of Uzun Hasan
Internal Reforms
Uzun Hasan attracted attention not only with his military victories but also with his reforms within the state. He made significant changes in the administrative structure, strengthened the central authority and ensured economic stability. He offered various incentives for the development of agriculture and trade and reorganized the justice system.
Cultural Contributions
Uzun Hasan is also known as one of the important cultural figures of his time. He made great contributions to the fields of art, literature and architecture, and there was a period of cultural revival in the Akkoyunlu State. Especially the architectural works in Iran and Anatolia showed great development during Uzun Hasan’s time. He supported education and religious life by building madrasahs, libraries and mosques.
Uzun Hasan’s Family and Successors
His Wife and Children
Uzun Hasan’s wife, Despina Hatun, was the princess of the Empire of Trebizond. This marriage was an important step for Uzun Hasan in strengthening his diplomatic skills and alliances in the region. The most notable of Uzun Hasan’s children is his son Yaqub Bey. After Uzun Hasan’s death, Yaqub Bey became the head of the Akkoyunlu State and continued his father’s legacy.
Successors and the Fall of the State
After Uzun Hasan’s death, the Akkoyunlu State began to weaken due to internal conflicts and external threats. Although the state continued to exist for a while during the rule of his son Yaqub Bey, the power of the Akkoyunlu State decreased with the rise of the Safavid State. Shah Ismail, the founder of the Safavid State, defeated the Akkoyunlu State and took control of the region.
The Legacy of Uzun Hasan
Military and Political Legacy
Uzun Hasan’s military and political legacy was shaped by his strategic genius and leadership skills. His transformation of the Akkoyunlu State into a great power and his struggle with other states in the region left an important mark on history. Uzun Hasan developed many innovations and tactics in the military field, and these tactics were also effective in later periods.
Cultural and Artistic Heritage
Uzun Hasan’s cultural and artistic heritage contributed to the Akkoyunlu State experiencing one of its brightest periods. The architectural works built during his period, and the developments in the fields of art and literature reflect his visionary leadership. Uzun Hasan made great efforts to protect and develop cultural values.
Uzun Hasan’s Relations with the Ottoman Empire
Otlukbeli War
Uzun Hasan’s most important struggle with the Ottoman Empire was the Battle of Otlukbeli in 1473. This battle took place between Mehmet II (Fatih Sultan Mehmet) and Uzun Hasan, and the Ottoman army won a great victory. The Battle of Otlukbeli weakened Uzun Hasan’s military power, but his resistance and strategic maneuvers temporarily stopped the Ottoman Empire’s advance in the east.
Diplomatic Relations
Uzun Hasan also gave importance to diplomacy in his relations with the Ottoman Empire. He held peace talks with the Ottoman Sultan Mehmet II from time to time and temporary peace agreements were signed between the two states. However, these agreements were generally short-lived and conflicts broke out between the parties again.
Other Important Events During Uzun Hasan’s Period
The Fall of the Timurid Empire
The collapse of the Timurid Empire was also an important event during Uzun Hasan’s reign. The weakening of the Timurid Empire changed the balance of power in the region and allowed the rise of the Akkoyunlu State. Uzun Hasan made strategic moves to fill the gap that emerged after the collapse of the Timurid Empire.
The Rise of the Safavid State
After Uzun Hasan’s death, the rise of the Safavid State is also remarkable. Shah Ismail, the founder of the Safavid State, defeated the Akkoyunlu State and took control of the region. In this process, the legacy of Uzun Hasan and the influence of the Akkoyunlu State also played an important role.
Uzun Hasan’s Death and Aftermath
After Uzun Hasan’s death in 1478, the Akkoyunlu State faced internal strife and external threats. His son, Yaqub Bey, tried to continue his father’s legacy, but the state’s power diminished over time. The rise of the Safavid State brought about the end of the Akkoyunlu State, and Uzun Hasan’s legacy left an important mark on history.
The question of “Who is Uzun Hasan?” is of great importance in studies on Turkish history and especially the Ottoman period. Uzun Hasan, one of the most powerful rulers of the Akkoyunlu State, lived in the 15th century and left a great impact on his time. In this article, we have examined the question of “Who is Uzun Hasan?” in detail. We examined Uzun Hasan’s life, reign, military and political achievements, and his effects on the Akkoyunlu State. While searching for the answer to the question of “Who is Uzun Hasan?”, we also reviewed his relations with the Ottoman Empire and other important events of the period. We have presented a comprehensive answer to the question of “Who is Uzun Hasan?”, emphasizing his legacy and historical importance. This detailed answer we have given to the question of “Who is Uzun Hasan?” aims to increase interest in Turkish history and the Akkoyunlu State.