Malik M Aslam Awan
THE Ottoman Empire was founded in 1299 by Usman and after hectic and prolonged struggle of Turkish tribes the Ottoman Empire grew larger and eventually became one of the largest, most powerful, long lasting empire in the history of the world. After a series of wars the Ottoman Empire assimilated in itself Turkey, Egypt, Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Macedonia, Hungary, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and parts of Arabian Peninsula. It had maximum area of 7-6 Million square miles in 1595. The Ottoman Empire began to decline in the 18th Century and now it has assumed the status of present Turkey. After the beak-up of Seljuk Turk Empire the Ottoman Turks conquered most parts of Seljuk Empire and by the late 1400s all other Turkish dynasties were controlled by Ottoman Turks.
In the earlier days of Ottoman Turks, their main objective was the expansion of the state. In 1453 Muhammad I conquered Constantinople. That is the period when Ottoman Empire entered its peak period and the time is known as period of Great Expansion. During this period the empire came to include the lands of over 10 different European and Middle Eastern States. The Ottoman Turks were encouraged by the belief that they are superior in physical strength and military know-how and strategy and unorganized states having lesser military skills could not withstand the sweeping attacks of Ottoman Turks. In 1500s Ottoman Turks conquered Egypt and Syria in 1517, Algiers in 1518 Hungary in 1526, 1541. Greece also fell under Ottoman control in 1500s. In 1535 during the reign of Suleman I Turkey gained more power, than it had under the leadership of previous rulers. During the reign of Suleman Turkish Judicial System was organized and Turkish culture began to grow significantly. After the death of Suleman its military got defeat in the battle of Lepanto in 1571 and it was the retreating and falling point.
In the 16th and 17th Centuries the Ottoman Empire had to face considerable retreat and the late 15th and during 16th, 17th Centuries Ottoman Empire had to see constant retreats and falling days began to sapping the Ottoman power. Although in mid 1600s the Persia and Venus were conquered, yet the decline went in a usual way. Following the Russo-Turkish wars Ottoman Empire began to decline rapidly. The Crimean war, which lasted from 1853 to 1856 further caused a severe blow to the Ottoman Empire and consequently it further depleted its strength.
In the late 1800s several rebellions occurred and the Ottoman Empire began to lose its strength. The Balkan wars of 1912, 1913 and uprising of Turkish nationalists further reduced the empires territory and instability grew further to speedy decline of the Empire. Following the World War-I the Ottoman Empire officially came to an and with the Treaty of Severs. Despite its collapse the Ottoman Empire was one of the largest, longest lasting and most successful Empires of the world. Centralized power, organized military and leaders of highest calibre were the salient features of the most successful Ottoman Empire.
Under the reign of Suleman, the magnificent, the Ottoman Empire having its peak period controlled much of South Eastern Europe, Central Europe, Western Asia parts of Eastern Europe and Northern Africa between the 14th and early 20th Century. At the beginning of 17th Century the Empire consisted of 32 provinces and numerous vassal states, some of these were later absorbed in Ottoman Empire, some were granted various kinds of autonomy. In the early 20th Century Turkey allied itself with Germany hoping to escape diplomatic isolation. Having alliance with Germany Turkey joined World War-I and had to face defeat at the hands of allied forces. Allied powers occupied its territories by partitioning it between UK, France and USSR. The successful Turkish war of Independence led by Mustafa Kamal Ataturk against the occupying Allies led to the emergence of Republic of Turkey in the Anatolian heartland and the abolition of Ottoman monarchy. Kamal Ataturk a Turkish Field Marshal, author, revolutionary statesman and founding father of Republic of Turkey served as its 1st President from 1923 till his death 1938. He undertook sweeping, progressive, revolutionary reforms, which modernized Turkey into a secular industrial nation.
After world war 1st, fearing the dismemberment of Turkish Empire at the hands of Allied Forces, the Muslims of India under the leadership of Maulana Muhammad Ali Johar and Maulana Shaukat Ali, famous as Ali brothers, waged a movement namely Khilafat Movement to stress the British Alliance to avoid the disintegration, dismemberment of Turkey, as the Khilafat Usmania served as symbol of unity for the Muslims all around the globe. The Muslims of India were too conscious and sentimental about the existence of “Khilafat” in Turkey, being aware of the fact that the Caliphate is the sole banner under which the Muslims of whole world may remain united and regain their lost renaissance.
Turkey and Turks have a history of more than 4000 years. Turks made Anatolia as the homeland in the 11th Century and in 1299 Usman conquered some parts of Turkey and founded the Ottoman State. Turks under the name of Ottoman State ruled a vast territory for nearly 623 years. Mahatir Muhammad of Malaysia and Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey are two international personalities of the Muslim history. Mahatir Muhammad of Malaysia had led Malaysia to the road to unprecedented progress and Recep Tayyip Erdogan, with his dynamic personal, has led the Turkish nation to be proud citizens of a state which has earned unprecedented magnificence all around the globe. Erdogan is Hafiz Quran with beautiful voice and harbours the lost glorious days of Muslims in his mind, endeavouring hard to regain the lost glory of Islam. Erdogan has led the economy of Turkey to the 16th in world numbers and it meant it has joined the club G-20. The list of remarkable achievements of Turkey under the leadership of Recep Tayyip Erdogan is very long.
During his reign per capita income of Turkey has raised from 3500 Dollars to 11000 per annum. The salaries have been raised 300 times. Education has been given special attention. During his Ten Years 123 new Universities 510 Hospitals 189 new schools and one lac 69 thousand new classes were started. Forestry and Fruit trees have been given special attention. Two billion 770 million trees have been planted. Defence skills have been raised to the maximum quantum. Till 2023 Turkey will have 3 Lac scholars to explore new arenas of knowledge. Istanbul airport is the biggest airport of Europe, where daily 1260 flights take-off, 630 local flights are in addition to these International flights. Istanbul has been raised to the status of most beautiful city of the globe due to the efforts of Erdogan. Coming to synopsis Recep Tayyip Erdogan is determined to lead the Turkish nation to the peak of progress and glory till 2023 and to gain this goal he is stepping forward with unflinching belief, accelerated zeal and fervor. If Mustafa Kamal Pasha has liberated the Turkey from the Allied forces, Recep Tayyip Erdogan has, with hectic efforts, led the country to the peak of progress, prosperity and glorious position in the comity of nations. Turks can rightly take pride in the Leadership of Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
—The writer is a freelance columnist and independent analyst based in Lahore.
