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From a small beylik in Söğüt to a six-hundred-year empire: foundation, conquests, crises, reforms and the last sultan, in ten stops.

Every date in this timeline is taken from the sourced chronology of the article we link to.

DateEventArticle
c. 1254–1258Osman is believed to have been born in Söğüt. The exact year is disputed.Osman Gazi and the Founding of the Ottoman State
About 1281Common but unconfirmed date for Orhan Gazi's birth in Söğüt.Orhan Gazi and the Conquest of Bursa: The First Ottoman Capital
1285–1286According to İnalcık's chronology, clashes occur with the lord of İnegöl on the Söğüt–Domaniç route.Osman Gazi and the Founding of the Ottoman State
1299The traditional founding date of the Ottoman state.Osman Gazi and the Founding of the Ottoman State
14th centuryThe corps forms during the era of Orhan Bey and Murad I. The exact year is disputed.Who Were the Janissaries? Rise and Fall of the Ottoman Corps
27 July 1302Victory at Bapheus, İnalcık's proposed turning point for the founding.Osman Gazi and the Founding of the Ottoman State
Spring 1303In İnalcık's chronology, the siege of Bursa follows the Dimbos victory.Osman Gazi and the Founding of the Ottoman State
1304In İnalcık's chronology, Lefke and Geyve are taken.Osman Gazi and the Founding of the Ottoman State
September 1323The Asporça Hatun foundation deed is drawn up.Osman Gazi and the Founding of the Ottoman State
1324Osman's death, according to İnalcık's dating from the deeds.Osman Gazi and the Founding of the Ottoman State
1324A foundation deed supports the view that he was already ruling. Chronicles give 1326.Orhan Gazi and the Conquest of Bursa: The First Ottoman Capital
8–18 March 1324The Mekece deed records members of Osman's family.Osman Gazi and the Founding of the Ottoman State
1326Orhan conquers Bursa.Osman Gazi and the Founding of the Ottoman State
6 April 1326Bursa surrenders after a long blockade and becomes the Ottoman capital.Orhan Gazi and the Conquest of Bursa: The First Ottoman Capital
1327Silver coins are struck in his name in Bursa.Orhan Gazi and the Conquest of Bursa: The First Ottoman Capital
1331Orhan conquers İznik.Osman Gazi and the Founding of the Ottoman State
1331İznik joins Ottoman lands.Orhan Gazi and the Conquest of Bursa: The First Ottoman Capital
1333Ibn Battuta visits Bursa.Orhan Gazi and the Conquest of Bursa: The First Ottoman Capital
1337İzmit joins Ottoman rule.Orhan Gazi and the Conquest of Bursa: The First Ottoman Capital
1339–1340Date of construction given on the Orhan Gazi Mosque inscription.Orhan Gazi and the Conquest of Bursa: The First Ottoman Capital
March 1362Orhan Gazi dies in Bursa; Murad I becomes ruler.Orhan Gazi and the Conquest of Bursa: The First Ottoman Capital
28 July 1402Bayezid loses at Ankara and is captured. The Interregnum begins.The Ottoman Interregnum: Four Brothers’ War for the Throne
Spring 1403Mehmed defeats İsa at Ulubat and takes Bursa.The Ottoman Interregnum: Four Brothers’ War for the Throne
1403Süleyman's treaty hands Thessaloniki (Selânik) to Byzantium.The Ottoman Interregnum: Four Brothers’ War for the Throne
September 1403According to Clavijo, İsa is no longer alive.The Ottoman Interregnum: Four Brothers’ War for the Throne
March 1404Süleyman takes Bursa.The Ottoman Interregnum: Four Brothers’ War for the Throne
13 February 1410Musa defeats Süleyman's forces at Yanbolu.The Ottoman Interregnum: Four Brothers’ War for the Throne
15 June 1410Süleyman defeats Musa at Kosmidion.The Ottoman Interregnum: Four Brothers’ War for the Throne
Autumn 1411Musa besieges Istanbul without success.The Ottoman Interregnum: Four Brothers’ War for the Throne
17 February 1411Musa declares his rule in Edirne. Süleyman is killed.The Ottoman Interregnum: Four Brothers’ War for the Throne
5 July 1413Mehmed wins at Çamurlu. The Interregnum ends.The Ottoman Interregnum: Four Brothers’ War for the Throne
1414The Edirne Old Mosque, begun by Süleyman, is finished under Mehmed.The Ottoman Interregnum: Four Brothers’ War for the Throne
30 March 1432Born in Edirne.Mehmed the Conqueror: Life of the Sultan Who Took Constantinople
1443Sent to Manisa as governor.Mehmed the Conqueror: Life of the Sultan Who Took Constantinople
1444-1446First reign.Mehmed the Conqueror: Life of the Sultan Who Took Constantinople
1446The Buçuktepe Revolt takes place in Edirne.Who Were the Janissaries? Rise and Fall of the Ottoman Corps
1451Took the Ottoman throne for the second time.Mehmed the Conqueror: Life of the Sultan Who Took Constantinople
1452Built the Rumeli Fortress.Mehmed the Conqueror: Life of the Sultan Who Took Constantinople
1453Janissaries take part in the conquest of Istanbul.Who Were the Janissaries? Rise and Fall of the Ottoman Corps
6 April 1453Siege of Constantinople began.Mehmed the Conqueror: Life of the Sultan Who Took Constantinople
22 April 1453Part of the Ottoman fleet was moved overland into the Golden Horn.Mehmed the Conqueror: Life of the Sultan Who Took Constantinople
29 May 1453Constantinople fell.Mehmed the Conqueror: Life of the Sultan Who Took Constantinople
1456Siege of Belgrade failed.Mehmed the Conqueror: Life of the Sultan Who Took Constantinople
1461Empire of Trebizond ended.Mehmed the Conqueror: Life of the Sultan Who Took Constantinople
1462Wallachian campaign against Vlad III.Mehmed the Conqueror: Life of the Sultan Who Took Constantinople
11 August 1473Uzun Hasan defeated at Otlukbeli.Mehmed the Conqueror: Life of the Sultan Who Took Constantinople
1478Mehmed-era construction of Topkapı Palace completed.Mehmed the Conqueror: Life of the Sultan Who Took Constantinople
1480Gentile Bellini painted his portrait.Mehmed the Conqueror: Life of the Sultan Who Took Constantinople
Late 15th centuryBorn in Ağırnas, near Kayseri. The exact year is disputed.Mimar Sinan: The Master Architect of the Ottoman Empire
3 May 1481Died at Hünkârçayırı; Bayezid II succeeded him.Mehmed the Conqueror: Life of the Sultan Who Took Constantinople
1512–1520Recruited during the reign of Selim I.Mimar Sinan: The Master Architect of the Ottoman Empire
1521The Ottomans take Belgrade. It becomes a forward base for operations against Hungary.The Battle of Mohács: The Two-Hour Battle That Ended Hungary
1521Took part in the Belgrade campaign.Mimar Sinan: The Master Architect of the Ottoman Empire
1522Took part in the Rhodes campaign.Mimar Sinan: The Master Architect of the Ottoman Empire
1525After Francis I is captured at Pavia, France asks for Ottoman help.The Battle of Mohács: The Two-Hour Battle That Ended Hungary
21 August 1526The Ottoman army crosses the Drava on a floating bridge.The Battle of Mohács: The Two-Hour Battle That Ended Hungary
29 August 1526The Hungarian royal army is defeated at Mohács. Louis II drowns while fleeing.The Battle of Mohács: The Two-Hour Battle That Ended Hungary
11 September 1526Suleiman enters Buda. The army later leaves the city.The Battle of Mohács: The Two-Hour Battle That Ended Hungary
10 November 1526János Szapolyai is elected king of Hungary.The Battle of Mohács: The Two-Hour Battle That Ended Hungary
17 December 1526Ferdinand is elected king by a rival assembly.The Battle of Mohács: The Two-Hour Battle That Ended Hungary
1529The first Ottoman siege of Vienna ends without the city being taken.The Second Siege of Vienna, 1683: Where Ottoman Decline Began
1530Vienna begins building modern fortifications.The Second Siege of Vienna, 1683: Where Ottoman Decline Began
1534By his own account, built three galleys at Tatvan during the Irakeyn campaign.Mimar Sinan: The Master Architect of the Ottoman Empire
1538Built the bridge over the Prut River for the army.Mimar Sinan: The Master Architect of the Ottoman Empire
1538Became chief architect, according to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.Mimar Sinan: The Master Architect of the Ottoman Empire
1541The division of Hungary into three political regions becomes clear.The Battle of Mohács: The Two-Hour Battle That Ended Hungary
1550–1557Süleymaniye Mosque built in Istanbul.Mimar Sinan: The Master Architect of the Ottoman Empire
Mid-16th centuryFirearms become the main weapon of most Janissaries.Who Were the Janissaries? Rise and Fall of the Ottoman Corps
1568Work began on the Selimiye Mosque in Edirne.Mimar Sinan: The Master Architect of the Ottoman Empire
1574–1575Selimiye completed; sources give these two different years.Mimar Sinan: The Master Architect of the Ottoman Empire
1586–1587Tezkiretü'l-bünyân thought to have been written.Mimar Sinan: The Master Architect of the Ottoman Empire
17 July 1588Died in Istanbul.Mimar Sinan: The Master Architect of the Ottoman Empire
1622Osman II is deposed and killed during an uprising.Who Were the Janissaries? Rise and Fall of the Ottoman Corps
1683The Treaty of Warsaw sets up Habsburg-Polish mutual help.The Second Siege of Vienna, 1683: Where Ottoman Decline Began
14 July 1683Kara Mustafa Pasha's army besieges Vienna.The Second Siege of Vienna, 1683: Where Ottoman Decline Began
8 September 1683Ottoman forces capture the Burg ravelin.The Second Siege of Vienna, 1683: Where Ottoman Decline Began
12 September 1683The relief army under Sobieski defeats the Ottoman army and lifts the siege.The Second Siege of Vienna, 1683: Where Ottoman Decline Began
25 December 1683Kara Mustafa Pasha is executed in Belgrade.The Second Siege of Vienna, 1683: Where Ottoman Decline Began
12 August 1687The second Battle of Mohács ends in an Ottoman defeat.The Battle of Mohács: The Two-Hour Battle That Ended Hungary
1697The defeat at Zenta increases the pressure for peace.The Second Siege of Vienna, 1683: Where Ottoman Decline Began
26 January 1699The Treaty of Karlowitz is signed.The Second Siege of Vienna, 1683: Where Ottoman Decline Began
21 July 1718The Treaty of Passarowitz is signed. This is the traditional start of the Tulip Era.The Tulip Era: How the Ottoman Age of Pleasure Ended
September 1722Ahmed III orders 450 trees to be brought from the Yoros mountains for Sâdâbâd.The Tulip Era: How the Ottoman Age of Pleasure Ended
October 1722A price ceiling is set for tulip bulbs.The Tulip Era: How the Ottoman Age of Pleasure Ended
1723The Ottoman state goes to war with Iran.The Tulip Era: How the Ottoman Age of Pleasure Ended
July 1727The Müteferrika Press receives its official printing permit.The Tulip Era: How the Ottoman Age of Pleasure Ended
1728The Ahmed III Fountain is built in Üsküdar.The Tulip Era: How the Ottoman Age of Pleasure Ended
31 January 1729Vankulu Lûgati is published.The Tulip Era: How the Ottoman Age of Pleasure Ended
During the 1730 revoltNevşehirli Damat İbrahim Pasha is executed.The Tulip Era: How the Ottoman Age of Pleasure Ended
September 1730The Patrona Halil revolt begins. Sources give 25 or 28 September.The Tulip Era: How the Ottoman Age of Pleasure Ended
2 October 1730Ahmed III gives up the throne. Mahmud I becomes sultan.The Tulip Era: How the Ottoman Age of Pleasure Ended
1807–1808Revolts interrupt military reform efforts.Who Were the Janissaries? Rise and Fall of the Ottoman Corps
12 June 1826Drills of the new Eşkinci troops start at Etmeydanı.Who Were the Janissaries? Rise and Fall of the Ottoman Corps
15 June 1826The Janissary revolt begins. Troops loyal to the sultan fire cannon at the barracks.Who Were the Janissaries? Rise and Fall of the Ottoman Corps
17 June 1826The decree abolishing the Janissaries takes effect. A new force replaces them.Who Were the Janissaries? Rise and Fall of the Ottoman Corps
1855The Bursa earthquake destroys Osman's tomb.Osman Gazi and the Founding of the Ottoman State
1855Earthquake destroys the tomb.Orhan Gazi and the Conquest of Bursa: The First Ottoman Capital
1861Born in Istanbul.Mehmed VI Vahideddin: The Last Sultan, Traitor or Victim?
1863Sultan Abdülaziz has the tomb rebuilt.Osman Gazi and the Founding of the Ottoman State
1863 / 1868Sources give different years for the rebuilding under Sultan Abdülaziz.Orhan Gazi and the Conquest of Bursa: The First Ottoman Capital
1 February 1916Becomes heir to the throne.Mehmed VI Vahideddin: The Last Sultan, Traitor or Victim?
December 1917Travels to Germany with Mustafa Kemal.Mehmed VI Vahideddin: The Last Sultan, Traitor or Victim?
4 July 1918Accession ceremony held.Mehmed VI Vahideddin: The Last Sultan, Traitor or Victim?
30 October 1918Armistice of Mondros signed.Mehmed VI Vahideddin: The Last Sultan, Traitor or Victim?
30 April 1919Mustafa Kemal appointed Ninth Army Inspector.Mehmed VI Vahideddin: The Last Sultan, Traitor or Victim?
8–9 July 1919Mustafa Kemal told he is dismissed and must return.Mehmed VI Vahideddin: The Last Sultan, Traitor or Victim?
24 May 1920Approves Mustafa Kemal's death sentence.Mehmed VI Vahideddin: The Last Sultan, Traitor or Victim?
10 August 1920Treaty of Sèvres signed.Mehmed VI Vahideddin: The Last Sultan, Traitor or Victim?
1 November 1922Sultanate abolished.Mehmed VI Vahideddin: The Last Sultan, Traitor or Victim?
17 November 1922Leaves aboard HMS Malaya.Mehmed VI Vahideddin: The Last Sultan, Traitor or Victim?
18 November 1922Caliphate passes to Abdülmecid Efendi.Mehmed VI Vahideddin: The Last Sultan, Traitor or Victim?
16 May 1926Dies in Sanremo.Mehmed VI Vahideddin: The Last Sultan, Traitor or Victim?
3 July 1926Buried in Damascus.Mehmed VI Vahideddin: The Last Sultan, Traitor or Victim?
2011Selimiye Mosque and its Social Complex added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.Mimar Sinan: The Master Architect of the Ottoman Empire
2014Bursa and Cumalıkızık join the UNESCO World Heritage List.Osman Gazi and the Founding of the Ottoman State
2014Bursa and Cumalıkızık enter the UNESCO World Heritage List.Orhan Gazi and the Conquest of Bursa: The First Ottoman Capital
2026Preliminary results are published on the anthropological study of the fourth mass grave.The Battle of Mohács: The Two-Hour Battle That Ended Hungary

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