Above: Map of Kosovo in 1875-1912 (click map to enlarge)

Ottoman Empire was a Turkish state spanning three continents and had control on much of Southeastern Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. Their boundaries on control stretched the Strait of Gibraltar in the west to Persian Gulf in the east, from the edge of Slovenia in the north to Yemen in the south. Ottomans saw themselves as the rulers of a “Universal Empire” as they felt themselves heirs to both Roman and Islamic traditions.

Above: Painting of the Battle of Kosovo

The Ottoman Empire was the hub of trade and communication between the Eastern and Western worlds for six centuries. In course of its ambitious expansion and reaching out to capture new territories they tried to enforce Islamization and modernization and tried to minimize the difference between the East and the West. The 16th century can be said to be the Golden era for the empire when the most creative works of architecture came into being as well as the empire spread further deep into Africa and Europe.
In the 14th century, Murad – I the ruler of Ottoman Empire envisioned to capture the cross roads of trade routes in the Balkans. Kosovo was the major junction on this route. He gathered his troops in Plovdiv. From here after resting he marched on a longer route to Kratovo and camped there for a few days. The Lazars (war lords of Serbia and Balkans) were not as prepared for this invasion by Murad. The two formidable forces cam face to face in the fields of Kosovo. The Ottomans had their archers in the front with cavalry backing them while the Lazar led his cavalry upfront and infantry backing them. A fierce battle ensued between the two forces. The Serbs gained initial advantage as they ploughed through the central and right flanks of the Murad’s army, but the Ottomans counter attacked and under the able and skillful guidance of Bayazid-I (who later was crowned the king after Murad-I) pushed the Serbs back. Both the armies had ethnic soldiers as well as a few members of mercenary groups.

Above: Painting of the Serbian hero Milos Obilic while giving his word to exterminate Sultan Murad

The exact result of the battle has no records in the history but some facts are recorded. Milos Obilic (a Serbian knight) assassinated Murad. Different versions of assassination are there in different documents as one indicates, he was killed after the war when Murad was stabbed by Obilic, who feigned dead, and Murad walked close to him. The other version says he stabbed Murad when he disguised himself as deserter and kneeled in front of Murad to be taken under his patronage.

Above: Painting of Sultan Murad in his death during ‘The Battle of Kosovo’

Whatever be the fact, it is known that Ottoman did not capture the city of Kosovo then and retreated after Murad’s death. Though, later on some war lords and knights of Serbia sent soldiers to serve the Ottoman army and also paid their reverence to the empire there were many who did not. Hence it can’t be clearly stated that the Serbs were won over by the empire. However, it opened up the European frontiers for the Ottoman Empire to advance further and extend its reign in later centuries.

Below: Map of Kosovo today, 1999 (click map to enlarge)