Ruler (B. 1198 –
D. 1282-83). Ertuğrul Gazi is the father of Osman Gazi, founder of the Ottoman
Empire. Most of the knowledge about him is present in late period works;
therefore there are various types of information about his life. Knowledge
about his birthplace and date is not definitive. His genealogy leads to Oghuz
Khan in some sources and even to Prophet Noah.
Ertuğrul
Gazi’s father Gündüz Alp, ruler of Kayı tribe of Ghuzz Turks, decided to
migrate towards inner Anatolia to get rid of Mongol pressure. Since Gündüz Alp
passed away during the migration, his son Ertuğrul Gazi became the ruler of the
tribe. When they stayed in a place near to Sivas he helped to Seljuk Empire
during the Mongolian-Seljuk war and played a role in their victory. Upon this
the Seljuk Sultan Alaeddin Keykubat made a compliment to Ertuğrul Gazi and gave
them the places around Ankara for their settlement (1230). Kayı tribe who
stayed here for a while, again upon the permission of Alaeddin Keykubat moved
towards the west and settled to Söğüt and Domaniç on the border of Byzantium.
Ertuğrul Gazi organized attacks to regions on the border of Byzantium from time
to time, also being supported by experienced margraves in the region, with which he had good relationships. Thus Kayı tribe became
stronger each day.
Ertuğrul
Gazi who became very old in 1279 informed the Seljuk Sultan Gıyaseddin
Keyhüsrev who came until the Byzantium borders about his loyalty to him and
left the rule to his son Osman Bey. In a short time after this, he passed away.
He had three sons called Osman,
Saruyatı Savcı and Gündüz Alp. His tomb is on the way from Bilecik
to Söğüt.