Battle of Ankara
The Battle of Ankara, fought in 1402, was a significant military confrontation between the forces of Timur (Tamerlane) and the Ottoman Sultan Bayezid I. Tamerlane commanded a massive army of approximately 140,000 troops, primarily cavalry, supported by war elephants. In contrast, Bayezid’s forces comprised around 85,000 men, including elite Janissaries, infantry, and heavy cavalry units. The battle unfolded as Bayezid employed a defensive strategy, utilizing natural terrain features like a stream and hills to fortify his position. However, Tamerlane's forces executed well-coordinated shock tactics that progressively dismantled the Ottoman flanks, leading to defections among Bayezid’s ranks.
Despite the initial resistance from the remaining Janissaries and Serbian knights on the battlefield, the Ottomans ultimately succumbed to Tamerlane's overwhelming numbers and strategic maneuvers. In the chaos, Bayezid attempted a breakout late in the battle, only to be captured after his horse faltered. The defeat had profound implications, resulting in significant loss of life and plunging the Ottoman Empire into civil war. This battle not only highlighted the tactical prowess of Tamerlane but also exposed weaknesses in Bayezid's command strategies, marking a pivotal moment in the history of both empires.
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Battle of Ankara
Type of action: Ground battle between Ottoman and Timurid Empires
Date: July 28, 1402
Location: Outside city of Ankara, Anatolia
Combatants: 85,000 Ottomans vs. 140,000 Timurids
Principal commanders:Timurid, Tamerlane (1336–1405); Ottoman, Sultan Bayezid I (1347–1403)
Result: Ottoman defeat
Tamerlane deployed upward of 140,000 men, mainly cavalry, plus thirty-two war elephants. He faced Sultan Bayezid I, whose Ottomans numbered about 85,000 and included elite Janissaries as well as other Turkish infantry and numerous horsemen. Many of the latter were recently conquered Turcomans or Tatars, supported by a hard core of Ottoman sipahi heavy cavalry. There was even a troop of Serbian knights, fulfilling their obligations as vassals of Bayezid.
Bayezid used a stream, along with several hills, to enhance his defensive strategy. Placing infantry there, he deployed sipahi units on each flank and guarded their flanks with light cavalry. Tamerlane hit hard with well-timed shock actions, delivered in rapid succession. His initial assaults stripped away the enemy flanks. This happened first on the Ottoman left, until the Serbs counterattacked. Moving too far, they were disordered and fell back beyond their initial position. Next, several defections undermined the Ottoman position. On both flanks, groups of Tatars and Turcomans deserted to Tamerlane; this uncovered the infantry and decided the battle.
Bayezid ordered his remaining Janissaries to support the Serbs, who still fought on the right wing. Although encircled by victorious Timurid forces, this last Ottoman formation repulsed several attacks, holding until nightfall. Late in the evening, Bayezid led a breakout but was captured after his horse stumbled.
Significance
The loss of Bayezid and 40,000 men threw the Ottoman state into civil war. Tamerlane’s failure to effectively handle the situation demonstrated his poor command of grand strategy.
Bibliography
Nicolle, David. The Age of Tamerlane. London: Osprey,1996.
‗‗‗‗‗‗‗. Armies of the Ottoman Turks, 1300–1774. London: Osprey, 1992.
Schiltberger, Johann. The Bondage and Travels of Johann Schiltberger. London: Hakluyt Society, 1879.