Ottoman Empire's Conquest of Constantinople

The question asks about the specific Ottoman ruler under whose leadership the significant event of conquering Constantinople took place. This conquest marked a major turning point in history, effectively ending the Byzantine Empire and consolidating the power of the Ottoman state.

Identifying the Conqueror of Constantinople

The historical consensus and records point to Mehmed II as the Ottoman Sultan who successfully conquered Constantinople. He is often referred to as 'Mehmed the Conqueror' due to this monumental achievement.

Mehmed II's Role and the Siege

Upon becoming Sultan for the second time in 1451, Mehmed II made the conquest of Constantinople his primary strategic goal. He meticulously prepared for the siege:

• He ordered the construction of the Rumelian Castle (Rumelihisarı) on the European side of the Bosporus strait, opposite the existing Anadolu Hisarı, to control maritime access to the city.
• He assembled a vast army, estimated to be around 80,000 to 200,000 soldiers, and a significant fleet.
• A key element of his military strategy was the use of large cannons, including a massive bombard engineered by Orban, designed to breach the city's formidable walls.
• The siege officially began in early April 1453 and lasted for 53 days.
• On May 29, 1453, Ottoman forces broke through the walls, leading to the fall of Constantinople.

Significance of the Conquest

The capture of Constantinople under Mehmed II had far-reaching consequences:

• It signaled the definitive end of the Byzantine Empire, which had existed for over a thousand years.
• It established Constantinople (renamed Istanbul) as the new capital of the expanding Ottoman Empire.
• The event is often considered a key moment marking the end of the Middle Ages and the beginning of the Renaissance and the early modern period.
• It bolstered the Ottoman Empire's prestige and military reputation across the region and the world.

Evaluating Other Options

The other rulers mentioned were also significant figures in Ottoman history, but not associated with the conquest of Constantinople:

• Orhan was one of the early rulers of the Ottoman Beylik, contributing significantly to its early expansion but ruling long before the conquest.
• Murad III reigned much later in the 16th century.
• Selim II, known as 'Selim the Sot', ruled in the latter half of the 16th century.

Therefore, Mehmed II is the correct answer for the ruler under whom the Ottoman Empire conquered Constantinople.