Fetret Era (1402-1413) Structures in Rumelia

Abstract

Fetret Era (1402-1413), one of the most important events in Ottoman history, is a period of internal struggle and confusion in which central authority is dispersed and the state is in danger of disappearance. After Yıldırım Bayezid was captured by Timur in the Battle of Ankara in 1402, 11 years throne struggle had began between the princes. In this period, Süleyman Chelebi, İsa Chelebi, Musa Chelebi and Mehmed Chelebi started the struggle for power on the land of the Ottoman State, which was actually divided into two parts, namely Anatolia and Rumelia. Emir Süleyman Chelebi and Musa Chelebi declared their independent reigns in the Rumelia region. The Fetret Era, marked by the bloody struggles between the princes, was a period in which the zoning and construction activities continued despite the conquest of the Ottoman State in Rumelia. It is understood that princes tried to overthrow each other and gain legitimacy not only by armed struggle but also by zoning activities. It is understood from the records that during the Fetret Era, structures of different functions such as mosques, masjids, namazgahs, madrasas, zawiyes, baths, fountains and schools were built in the Ottoman territories in Rumelia. Also the Old Palace in the throne center Edirne has been expanded. The Azebler Namazgah in Gallipoli, Hamza Bey Mosque in Eski Zagra and Old Mosque in Edirne have come to this day. In this study, it is aimed to determine the works built in Rumelia in the Fetret Era (1402-1413) and to evaluate the period in question with a new perspective on the axis of reconstruction activities in the region.