Ulubatlı Hasan

Ulubatlı Hasan (1428 – May 29, 1453) was a timarli sipahi in the service of Sultan Mehmed II of the Ottoman Empire who achieved legendary status as a heroic Turkish martyr at the successful Siege of Constantinople. [The Companion Guide to Istanbul: And Around the Marmara By John Freely, Susan Glyn, pg. 356]

He was born in a small village called Ulubat in the province of Bursa ("Ulubatlı Hasan" means "Hasan of Ulubat" in Turkish). At the age of 25 he was present at the Siege of Constantinople (6 April 1453 - 29 May 1453). The Turks had tried to take the grand city and last stronghold of the Byzantine Empire several times before, but this time, under the command of Sultan Mehmed II, who was in his early twenties at the time and already showing potential of being a great military leader, it looked like victory was at hand— especially because of a new innovation in warfare. But despite several assaults and the severe hammering by the cannons the great double walls of Constantinople held for 53 days.

On the early morning of the last day of the siege, 29 May, after the morning prayers, the Ottoman military band started to play one of their songs and the siege resumed. Ulubatlı Hasan was among the first to climb the walls of Constantinople followed closely by thirty of his friends. He carried only a sword, a small shield and the Ottoman Flag. He climbed the wall while being peppered by enemy arrows and once he reached the top he placed the flag, which he defended until his 12 remaining friends arrived. After that he collapsed with 27 arrows still in his body. Seeing the Ottoman flag inspired the Turkish troops and kept their spirits up until they had conquered Constantinople.

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