Osman I

Osman Gazi, founder of the Ottoman state, was born at Söğüt in 1258. His father was Ertuğrul Gazi, his mother Halime Hatun. He was tall and round-faced, dark-complexioned, with hazel eyes and heavy build. His shoulders were broad, and his body was longer above the waist than below. On his head he wore a Horasan crown of red broadcloth in the Chagatai fashion. His inner and outer garments had wide sleeves.

Osman Gazi was a statesman of worth: honest, prudent, brave, generous and just. He loved to feed and clothe the poor. If anyone looked at all closely at the garment he was wearing, he would take it off at once and make a gift of it. Every afternoon he gave a meal to whoever happened to be in his house.

Osman Gazi was only twenty-three when he took over the leadership of the Kayı tribe at Söğüt in 1281. He was a master horseman, swordsman and soldier. He married Mal Hatun, daughter of Ömer Bey, one of the notables of the tribe, and from that marriage was born his son Orhan Gazi, who would later lead the Ottoman state.

Osman Gazi, founder of the Ottoman state whose foundations were laid at Söğüt and which would rule for six centuries across three continents, died of gout at Bursa in 1326.

• Sons: Pazarlı Bey, Çoban Bey, Hamid Bey, Orhan Bey, Alaeddin Ali Bey, Melik Bey, Savcı Bey
• Daughters: Fatma Hatun

Source: Osmanlı Tarihi Interaktif CD-ROM (Türk Tarih Kurumu Yayınları XXXI. Dizi-Sa.2)