- Osman Gazi (1299-1326) Osman Gazi, the founder of the Ottoman Empire, went down in history by establishing an independent principality with the weakening of the Seljuk Empire in Anatolia. He created a strong structure by bringing together the Turkmen communities in and around Söğüt. He drew attention with his conquests on the Byzantine border and laid the foundations of the state. He won the trust of the people with his charismatic leadership.
- Orhan Gazi (1326-1362) Following in his father’s footsteps, Orhan Gazi conquered Bursa and gave the Ottoman Empire its first capital. He strengthened the economic foundations by printing the first Ottoman money. He played a pioneering role in the Ottoman expansion to Europe by providing the transition to Rumelia. The foundations of state organization were laid in this period.
- Murad I (1362-1389) consolidated the Ottoman presence in Europe with his conquests in Rumelia. He achieved important victories such as the Battle of Sırpsındığı and the Battle of Kosovo I. He strengthened the central authority and laid the foundation of the regular army by establishing the Janissary Corps. He was martyred on the battlefield after the Battle of Kosovo.
- Yıldırım Bayezid (1389-1402) He was nicknamed “Yıldırım (Thunderbolt)” because he was known for his fast-moving armies. He increased the Ottoman power in the west by defeating the Crusaders at the Battle of Niğbolu. He gathered the Turkish principalities in Anatolia under the Ottoman roof. However, he was defeated and captured in the Battle of Ankara with Timur. This war started the Conquest Period in the Ottoman Empire.
- Mehmet I (1413-1421) put an end to the throne fights in the Fetret Period and ensured unity in the Ottoman Empire. That is why he is known as the second founder of the Ottoman Empire. He restructured the state in a difficult period. He re-established the central authority. He gave importance to cultural activities and had many foundations established. He gained political experience through his struggles with his brothers.
- Murad II (1421-1444, 1446-1451) Murad II, who ascended the throne twice, won the battles of Varna and Kosovo II against the Crusaders in the West. He handed over the rule when his son Fatih Sultan Mehmet ascended the throne, but returned to the throne again due to internal turmoil. He was known for the importance he attached to education and culture.
- Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror (1451-1481) conquered Istanbul, ending the Byzantine Empire and changing world history. He made Istanbul the capital and raised the Ottoman Empire to the level of an empire. He made many conquests both in Europe and Anatolia. He had the “Kanunname-i Ali Osman” prepared with his legal regulations.
- Bayezid II (1481-1512) followed a more peaceful policy after his father Fatih. He fought the Cem Sultan crisis to protect his throne. He strengthened the navy and improved trade relations. He gave importance to art and architecture and had many buildings built in Istanbul.
- Yavuz Sultan Selim (1512-1520) doubled the Ottoman territory in his short eight-year reign. He defeated the Safavids and Mamluks with the victories of Chaldiran, Mercidabık and Ridaniye. He assumed leadership in the Islamic world by transferring the Caliphate to the Ottoman Empire. He was known for his harsh temperament and military genius.
- Suleiman the Magnificent (1520-1566) was the longest reigning Ottoman Sultan. He was known as Suleiman the Magnificent. He won important victories such as Belgrade, Rhodes and Mohaç. He organized the legal system by making laws. He gave the Ottoman Empire a golden age in art, literature and architecture.
- Selim II (1566-1574) Selim II, the son of the Magnificent, is generally known for his fondness for drinking. He was nicknamed “Sarı Selim”. During his reign, the state administration was largely in the hands of grand vizier Sokullu Mehmet Pasha. The conquest of Cyprus and the subsequent Battle of Inebahtı took place during this period. During his short reign, he preferred palace life instead of administrative affairs.
- During the reign of Murad III (1574-1595), the Ottoman lands reached the widest borders. Wars were fought with Iran and Austria. Entertainment and female dominance in the palace were criticized. The foundation of the Celali Rebellions was laid in this period. Although there were developments in science and art, it was a period when the central authority weakened.
- Mehmed III (1595-1603) began his reign by drowning 19 of his brothers. He won military successes such as the Eger Campaign and the Battle of Haçova. Although he was known for his fondness for drinking and debauchery, the grand viziers of the period kept the state afloat. Safiye Sultan had a great influence.
- Ahmed I (1603-1617) Ahmed I, who ascended the throne at a young age, softened the law on the murder of princes and abolished fratricide. He made a great contribution to architecture by building the Blue Mosque. He dealt with Iranian wars and internal rebellions.
- Mustafa I (1617-1618, 1622-1623) He was twice enthroned and deposed due to his mental illness. During his reign, state affairs were carried out by palace elders and valide sultans. He was ineffective at a time when the Ottoman Empire was weakening.
- Osman II (1618-1622) Osman II, who ascended the throne at a young age, faced rebellion because he planned to abolish the janissary quarry. He became known as Young Osman. He went out of the palace and tried to establish contact with the people. He was brutally murdered by rebels in 1622.
- Murad IV (1623-1640) Known for his prohibition of alcohol and tobacco, Murad IV displayed a disciplined and harsh administration. He raised the Ottoman reputation in the east with the Baghdad Expedition. He put an end to palace intrigues. Despite his young age, he recovered the state by showing strong leadership.
- Ibrahim (1640-1648) Nicknamed “Mad Ibrahim”, the sultan was known for his erratic behavior and luxurious spending. His reign was under the influence of palace women. State affairs were neglected. He was eventually deposed and murdered.
- Mehmed IV (1648-1687) ascended the throne at a young age. Successful campaigns were organized thanks to grand viziers such as Köprülü Mehmet Pasha and Köprülü Fazıl Ahmet Pasha. The conquest of Crete and wars took place during this period. 1683 Siege of Vienna failed. He was dethroned afterwards.
- Suleiman II (1687-1691) He ascended the throne after being confined in the palace for many years. He is known as a weak ruler. Grand Vizier Köprülüzade Fazıl Mustafa Pasha managed the state. He died during the Battle of Zenta.
- Ahmed II (1691-1695) During his short reign, wars with Austria continued. With the death of Grand Vizier Fazıl Mustafa Pasha at Zenta, the state suffered a great blow. Economic problems were dealt with. Efforts to reform remained limited.
- Mustafa II (1695-1703) came to the throne with the support of the Janissaries. He achieved success against the Venetians at sea. With the Treaty of Karlofça, the Ottomans suffered great territorial losses. He was deposed after the Edirne Incident.
- Ahmed III (1703-1730) is known as the sultan of the Tulip Period. There were developments in art, literature and architecture. The introduction of the printing press to the Ottoman Empire coincides with this period. He was deposed as a result of Patrona Halil Rebellion.
- Mahmud I (1730-1754) came to the throne after the rebellion. He fought wars with Iran and Austria. He turned towards military and economic reforms. He supported science and culture. He had libraries established.
- Osman III (1754-1757) He remained on the throne for a short time. He was known for his harsh temperament. He did not go out of the palace much. His period was quiet and far from developments.
- Mustafa III (1757-1774) gave importance to military innovations. He tried to strengthen the naval forces. Wars were fought with Russia. He supported cultural studies.
- Abdülhamid I (1774-1789) Heavy territorial losses were experienced with the Treaty of Küçük Kaynarca. There were reform efforts. French influence began to increase. Janissary problem grew.
- Selim III (1789-1807) established a modern army with the Nizam-ı Cedid movement. He took steps towards westernization. Reforms were not welcomed by the janissaries. He was killed with the Kabakçı Mustafa Rebellion.
- Mustafa IV (1807-1808) opposed the reforms. He had Selim III killed. He was deposed and executed under the pressure of Alemdar Mustafa Pasha.
- Mahmud II (1808-1839) was the sultan of radical reforms. He abolished the Janissary Corps. He prepared the infrastructure of Tanzimat. He developed a state structure in the Western sense.
- Abdülmecid (1839-1861) proclaimed the Tanzimat Edict. Modern legal and educational systems were established. Westernization process accelerated. Economic debts started to increase.
- Abdülaziz (1861-1876) expanded the navy. He was the first Ottoman sultan to visit Europe. There was an economic crisis due to excessive spending. He was deposed and his death was found suspicious.
- Murad V (1876) He was on the throne for only 93 days. He was deposed due to mental health problems. He had a pro-reform personality.
- Abdülhamid II (1876-1909) was known for his absolutist rule. He lived through the 1st and 2nd Constitutional Monarchy periods. He made investments in education and transportation. He adopted the policy of Panislamism.
- Mehmed Reşad (1909-1918) Symbolic, he was under the influence of the Union and Progress Party. He was on the throne during the Balkan Wars and World War I. The country suffered heavy losses.
- Mehmed Vahdettin VI (1918-1922) was the last Ottoman Sultan. His reign witnessed great territorial losses with the Treaties of Mondros and Sevres. He went abroad before the declaration of the Republic.
