Mehmed the Conqueror

Mehmed the Conqueror, also known as Mehmed II, was an Ottoman Sultan who reigned from 1444 to 1446 and again from 1451 to 1481. He is best known for conquering Constantinople in 1453, effectively ending the Byzantine Empire and marking a significant shift in history. This victory established Istanbul (formerly Constantinople) as the capital of the Ottoman Empire, which expanded dramatically under his rule. Mehmed was a skilled military leader and a patron of arts and architecture, promoting cultural advancements and religious tolerance in his diverse empire. His legacy is often associated with the rise of the Ottoman Empire.