Conquests and Expansion:
- Mamluk Sultanate: Selim I launched a military campaign against the Mamluk Sultanate in Egypt and Syria in 1516–17. He defeated the Mamluks in the Battle of Marj Dabiq (1516), capturing Syria, and then conquered Egypt in 1517, effectively ending the Mamluk rule. This expansion extended the Ottoman Empire's control over the Levant, Arabia, and North Africa, significantly increasing the empire's territories and wealth.
- Conquest of Eastern Anatolia: Selim I also engaged in military campaigns in eastern Anatolia and subdued various local rulers and principalities, bringing large parts of the region under Ottoman control.
Consolidation of Power:
- Elimination of Rival Claimants: Selim I took decisive steps to consolidate his power by eliminating potential rivals within the Ottoman dynasty and the empire. He ordered the execution of multiple princes, including his brothers and nephews, to prevent any challenges to his rule.
Legacy:
- Ottoman Hegemony: Selim I's conquests established the Ottoman Empire as the dominant power in the Middle East and North Africa, challenging the influence of other regional powers like the Safavids in Persia.
- Political and Administrative Reforms: He implemented administrative and political reforms, centralizing power and strengthening the imperial bureaucracy.
- Patronage of the Arts: Selim I was known for his patronage of the arts, including architecture, literature, and calligraphy, which flourished during his reign.
- Legacy as a Warrior-Sultan: Selim I's military campaigns and expansionist policies shaped the Ottoman Empire's imperial identity and emphasized the sultan's role as a warrior-commander.
Selim I's reign was marked by significant military achievements and territorial expansion that shaped the Ottoman Empire's geopolitical position and cemented its status as a major power in the region. His campaigns resulted in the acquisition of vast territories, wealth, and religious prestige, setting the stage for further Ottoman expansion and influence under subsequent sultans.