Battle of Ankara

The Battle of Ankara took place in 1402 between the Ottoman Empire, led by Sultan Bayezid I, and the Timurids, led by Timur (Tamerlane). Timur’s forces decisively defeated the Ottomans, capturing Bayezid and capturing much of his army. This victory temporarily halted Ottoman expansion, caused political instability, and led to a period of chaos known as the Ottoman Interregnum. The battle significantly impacted the balance of power in the region, delaying Ottoman ambitions in southeastern Europe and the Middle East until they recovered in later decades.