Tag: Diplomatic Correspondence and Gift Exchange

Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror’s Announcement of the Conquest of Istanbul

Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror continued the tradition of announcing conquests to the Islamic world through letters known as “Be§aretname.” These letters contained remarkable details about the conquests, including the plundering of treasures and the capture of territories. Ahmet Ate§, relying on Feridun Bey’s book ‘mtin§eati Selatin’, has provided insights into the contents of these letters.

Contents of the Letters

The first letter, dictated by Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror and written by Molla Gurani, was sent to the Egyptian ruler Inal Shah. It expressed gratitude for the conquest and detailed the spoils obtained. In response, Emir Cemaleddin el-Kabuni conveyed Egypt’s appreciation for the conquest and expressed goodwill towards Sultan Mehmet. The letter included a list of gifts intended to strengthen the bond between the two rulers, including swo