8 – He Humiliated the Ottoman Sultan
Timur had first begun his campaign against the Ottoman Sultan, Bayezid I, in 1399. Initially, the two men exchanged relatively diplomatic notes relating to border town issues, but it was inevitable that two of the most powerful men in the world would clash. Matters quickly escalated, mainly because Timur killed Bayezid’s son, Prince Ertoghrul, during the capture of Sivas. Then the two engaged in what can only be described as childish insults. Bayezid called Timur a ‘dog,’ and a ‘coward’ and intimated that he would gang rape his wives.
Bayezid soon learned the folly of insulting one of history’s most fearsome warriors. When Bayezid learned that Timur was marching towards Ankara in 1402, he marched his army towards his enemy as fast as possible to ensure the battle took place far from the city. It was a terrible mistake because, in his haste, Bayezid did not stop to get supplies, the biggest error was not bringing enough water. To make matters worse, the Ottoman Sultan forced his army to march over desert terrain.
Timur outsmarted his enemy by changing the direction of his march, so his army ended up behind him. He now had a clear run on Ankara, so Bayezid had to bring his men back to the city quickly. The Ottoman army consisted of 85,000 exhausted and thirsty men, and they were up against 140,000 strong and healthy Timurid warriors. During his march, Timur ensured that his horses were grazed, and his men were well fed. Moreover, he destroyed the land as he marched; a scorched earth policy that remained popular in 20th-century warfare. Timur’s archers weakened the Ottomans who fought bravely but were overwhelmed. Bayezid was captured when his horse was killed. He had the ignominious fate of being the first, and only, Ottoman Sultan to be captured by an enemy.
Timur took great pleasure in humiliating his former foe. Bayezid was locked in a small iron cage and was placed in the middle of the table when Timur had guests. The Sultan’s wife was forced to serve these guests while naked, and Bayezid was given scraps from the table. Writers from Timur’s court dispute this and claim the Sultan was well treated. Timur was apparently upset when Bayezid died. The cause of his death is also a mystery. It is suggested that he committed suicide by bashing his head against the iron bars in his cell.