Selim the Grim (jan 1, 1470 – jan 1, 1520)

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Selim l was an Ottoman Sultan who is known for extending the empire to Syria, Egypt, Palestine, and the Hejaz, making the Ottomans the leaders of the Muslim world. When Selim came to the throne, he eliminated all potential threats to his reign, leaving only his son as an heir. He then turned eastwards to the Safavid Dynasty, who were a threat because they espoused Shi’ism Islam which differed from Sunni Islam the Ottomans practiced. Additionally, Turkman followers of the Safavid leader were revolting in Anatolia. Selim subdued them and then launched a successful campaign against Ismail, the Safavid leader. Selim then incorporated the Anatolian Kurdish and Turkemen principalities into the Empire, which brought the Ottomans into conflict with the rulers of Syria and Egypt. Selim defeated their armies, brought Syria, Egypt, and Palestine under Ottoman rule, and was acknowledged as the leader of the Islamic world.

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