How Mehmed the Conqueror Built an Empire That Could Outlast Him

He was one of the greatest conquerors, and he strengthened the Ottoman regime to such an extent that it became stable. The empire, once caught between chaos and control, found its balance because of Mehmed. He was the one who settled the unrest.

If you want to explore the detailed history that will never feel boring and will teach you in a way no other book can, then this is for you.

Before Mehmed Fatih (Mehmed II) came to power in 1451, the Ottoman Empire and its surrounding regions were fragmented and in turmoil:

Ottoman Interregnum and Instability: After Bayezid I was defeated by Timur at the Battle of Ankara in 1402, the empire went through a civil war known as the Ottoman Interregnum (1402–1413). Bayezid’s sons fought each other for the throne, which severely weakened the central authority and disrupted internal administration.

Weak Central Control: Even after the interregnum ended, the empire under Mehmed I and Murad II faced challenges in regaining control. Revolts, including religious uprisings like that of Sheikh Bedreddin, along with constant regional power struggles, made governance difficult.

Byzantine Empire’s Decline: The Byzantine Empire had shrunk to a mere shadow of its past. By the mid-15th century, it controlled little beyond Constantinople and a few scattered territories. It was politically isolated, economically weakened, and divided by religious disputes.

Balkan and Anatolian Fragmentation: In the Balkans, Christian states such as Serbia, Hungary, and Wallachia resisted Ottoman advances. In Anatolia, several Turkic principalities (beyliks) either remained autonomous or showed only nominal allegiance to the Ottomans, creating a volatile and unstable frontier.

Internal Religious and Ethnic Diversity: The empire was made up of many ethnic and religious groups, which created challenges in governance. Sufi orders, local elites, and frontier warlords often held the real power, especially in the border regions.

Mehmed II’s First Reign at Age 12: The Internal Rebellion Explained

The circumstances forced Murad to make this boy the next Sultan of the Ottoman Empire and then he was tested badly. Mehmed also had to face the Crusade. So if we need to go through his career then,

He ascended the throne at 12 and faced internal rebellion.
He reclaimed power decisively at 19.
He was exposed early to politics, education and statecraft.

Why Mehmed the Conqueror Lost the Throne and How He Regained It at 19

When Mehmed first took the throne in 1444 at the age of 12, his youth made many within the empire uneasy. Though he had a sharp mind and had been trained in governance, law and the Quran, some in the Ottoman elite questioned whether he was ready to rule. Their doubts deepened when European powers, noticing the change, prepared for a crusade. Christian forces under the Hungarian general John Hunyadi moved south, raising concern across the empire.

As the threat grew, the Grand Vizier, Çandarlı Halil Pasha, worried about the empire’s stability, called Mehmed’s father Murad II out of retirement. Murad returned and led the army against the crusaders, defeating them at the Battle of Varna in November 1444. But even with that success, Mehmed’s authority had already been weakened. The court, the army and senior advisors had turned to Murad for leadership. By 1446, under growing pressure from both political and military figures, Mehmed stepped down and Murad once again became Sultan.

What Happened During Mehmed II’s Early Rule Before the Fall of Constantinople

Maybe the throne was taken from him, but he still carried the dream of becoming the Alexander of his time. His mind never rested. It kept pushing him to build a legacy that could stand alongside the one left by Alexander the Great.

So,

Over the next five years, Mehmed didn’t sit idle. Even though he was sidelined, he stayed involved in politics, governing the province of Manisa and learning the art of rule, warfare and diplomacy with quiet focus. He read classical texts, listened to wise men and shaped a vision that went beyond just surviving power struggles.

When Murad II died in 1451, Mehmed returned to the throne at 19, not as a boy but as a focused and prepared ruler. This time, he acted fast. He removed or sidelined court figures who had once turned on him, including Çandarlı Halil Pasha, who was later executed after the fall of Constantinople. Mehmed wasn’t there to fill a seat anymore. He came back ready to build an empire that matched the scale of his ambition.

The Fall of Constantinople: More Than Just a Military Win

Gunpowder and Naval Innovation

Mehmed II changed the face of siege warfare during the conquest of Constantinople. He used massive bronze cannons, including the giant one designed by the engineer Orban, to strike the city’s walls with relentless force. These bombards hit day after day, wearing down what many had believed was unbreakable. At sea, he showed unexpected creativity by moving ships overland into the Golden Horn, bypassing the Byzantine chain defense and gaining control of the harbor. The combined pressure from both land and water slowly broke down the city’s resistance.

Political and Religious Symbolism

The conquest meant more than just taking a city. By capturing Constantinople, Mehmed stepped into the legacy of the Roman Caesars, linking himself to both the authority of the Byzantines and the spiritual leadership of the Islamic world. His entry into Hagia Sophia, which he turned into a mosque, was not just a victory on the ground but one of belief and symbolism. For many Muslims, the fall of the city echoed an old prophecy, and Mehmed came to be seen as the leader who was meant to fulfill it.

The Aftermath

Once the city was taken, Mehmed moved fast to shape its future. He began rebuilding Constantinople into what would become Istanbul, the new Ottoman capital. He invited people from different backgrounds to repopulate the city and launched projects that brought life back to its streets. Under his rule, Istanbul grew into a center of culture, trade and politics, reflecting his aim to build a strong and lasting empire.

How Mehmed II Made Istanbul the New Heart of the Islamic World

After Mehmed II took Constantinople, he didn’t just gain a city, but he reshaped its purpose and place in the Islamic world. He converted the Hagia Sophia into a mosque, and this change marked not only a shift in the city’s identity from a Byzantine stronghold to an Islamic capital, but also a turning point in Ottoman history. The city’s name changed to Istanbul, and with that came a slow but steady wave of transformation.

Mehmed began building mosques and madrasas, and he also commissioned public buildings that brought new life into the streets. These structures reflected the traditions of Islam, but his vision went further. He understood that cities held meaning beyond walls and roads, so when he built a mosque at the burial site of a companion of the Prophet Muhammad, he connected Istanbul not only to power but to faith as well.

Yet Mehmed’s plan wasn’t only about control or dominance, because he also cared about creating a balanced society. He allowed Christian and Jewish communities to stay under Ottoman rule, and he protected their places of worship and respected their leaders. He did not erase the past, but he placed Islam at the center while letting other traditions continue.

The Legacy of a Conqueror

The fall of Constantinople marked Mehmed’s rise as a world-shaping force—but his most chilling battle was still ahead. The clash with Vlad Dracula wasn’t just war, it was a brutal test of fear, vengeance, and empire.

Want to experience the full story? The Ottoman Caesar by Mundus Gnosis brings you face-to-face with Mehmed’s darkest and most defining chapter. Brutal. Brilliant. Unforgettable. Read it now.