Murad I

Murad I (mOOräd') [key], 1326?–1389, Ottoman sultan (1362?–1389), son and successor of Orkhan to the throne of the Ottoman Empire (Turkey). Murad widened the Ottoman hold on European territory, conquering Macedonia and making Adrianople his residence. He granted Muslims sections of conquered lands as fiefs (see feudalism). In 1373 he forced Byzantine Emperor John V to pay tribute. Murad began the policy of compelling Christian youths to join the army corps known as the Janissaries. As a result of his victory at Kosovo Field (see under Kosovo), Serbia came under Ottoman rule. However, Murad was assassinated in his tent by a Serbian warrior; his son Beyazid I succeeded him. The name also appears as Amurath.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

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