Interregnum Period
During the most intense succession struggles in the Ottoman Empire, brothers competed against each other, leaving the future of the state uncertain. This difficult and complex period is known as the Interregnum.
Interregnum
The Interregnum was a difficult period that began after Ottoman Sultan Yıldırım Bayezid was defeated and captured by Timur at the Battle of Ankara in 1402 and lasted approximately eleven years. During this time, a fierce struggle erupted among Bayezid’s sons for the Ottoman throne. State administration temporarily weakened, and Ottoman territories fragmented.
What Is the Interregnum?
The term “Fetret” means a gap or period of uncertainty. The Interregnum refers to the time in Ottoman history when there was no reigning sultan and administrative chaos prevailed. During this period, four brothers each sought to establish dominance in their respective regions, leading to a war over the throne.
The Brothers’ Struggle
Yıldırım Bayezid’s four sons divided the Ottoman territories among themselves:
- Süleyman Çelebi established his center in Edirne in Rumelia.
- İsa Çelebi gained power around Bursa in Anatolia.
- Musa Çelebi fought across Rumelia and its surroundings.
- Mehmet Çelebi made Amasya his center in eastern Anatolia.
These brothers waged war against each other in their attempts to control the state. The struggle lasted approximately eleven years.
The End and Significance of the Interregnum
In 1413, Mehmet Çelebi defeated his brothers and became the sole ruler of the Ottoman throne. The state was reunified and strengthened once again. The Interregnum stands as a significant example in Ottoman history of the instability and succession conflicts that can arise in governance.
