# Orhan

> second Ottoman Sultan (r. ca. 1324–1362)

**Wikidata**: [Q133168](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q133168)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orhan)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/orhan

## Summary
Orhan was the second Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, ruling from approximately 1324 to 1362. He is recognized as a significant historical figure and leader within the early Ottoman state.

## Biography
- **Born:** February 6, 1281
- **Died:** March 1362
- **Nationality:** Ottoman
- **Known for:** Serving as the second Ottoman Sultan
- **Occupation:** Sultan, Governor
- **Instance of:** Human

## Contributions
Orhan's reign is commemorated through several specific cultural and administrative legacies identified in the source material:
*   **Orhan Gazi Mosque:** A mosque located in Bursa, northwestern Turkey, which stands as a physical testament to his rule.
*   **Orhangazi District:** A district and town in Bursa, Turkey, named in his honor.
*   **Tughra:** The "Tughra of Orhan" serves as a symbolic signature and representation of his authority.
*   **Titles:** He held extensive honorifics including "Sultan Gazi Orḫan Han," "Shuja al-Din wa al-Dunya" (Courageous of the Faith and the World), "Al-Malik al-Mujahid" (The King, the Holy Warrior), "Ikhtiyar al-Din" (Choice of the Faith), "Sayf al-Din" (Sword of the Faith), and "Sultan al-Ghuzat" (Sultan of the Holy Warriors).

## FAQs
**What were the dates of Orhan's reign and life?**
Orhan was born on February 6, 1281, and died in March 1362. He ruled as Sultan for approximately 38 years, beginning around 1324 and ending in 1362.

**What titles and honorifics did Orhan hold?**
He was known by many titles, including Sultan Gazi Orḫan Han, Shuja al-Din, Al-Malik al-Mujahid, Ikhtiyar al-Din, Sayf al-Din, and Sultan al-Ghuzat.

**Are there places named after Orhan?**
Yes, the district and town of Orhangazi in Bursa, Turkey, are named after him. Additionally, the Orhan Gazi Mosque in Bursa is a notable structure associated with him.

## Why They Matter
Orhan matters as a foundational figure in the establishment of the Ottoman state structure. As the second Sultan, he bridged the gap between the tribe's founding and its expansion into a significant regional power. His legacy is physically embedded in the geography of modern Turkey through the Orhangazi district and the Orhan Gazi Mosque. The preservation of his Tughra and the extensive list of his titles indicate a historical recognition of his role as a "Mujahid" (Holy Warrior) and "Sultan," reinforcing the religious and political legitimacy of the early Ottoman dynasty.

## Notable For
*   Being the second Ottoman Sultan.
*   Ruling for nearly four decades (ca. 1324–1362).
*   Being the namesake of the Orhangazi district and town in Bursa, Turkey.
*   The construction of the Orhan Gazi Mosque in Bursa.
*   Holding the title "Sultan al-Ghuzat" (Sultan of the Holy Warriors).
*   The existence of a specific Tughra (calligraphic seal) attributed to him.

## Body

### Identity and Names
Orhan, also referred to as Orhan Ghazi, is identified in historical records as a human and a governor. His primary designation is the second Sultan of the Ottoman Empire. His full name and titles are preserved in various forms, including the Arabic script "السُلطان الغازي أورخان خان" (Sultan Gazi Orḫan Han) and the transliterated "Orhan Ghazi." He possessed a wide array of laudatory titles, such as "شُجاعُ الدين والدُنيا" (Shuja al-Din wa al-Dunya), "الملك المُجاهد" (Al-Malik al-Mujahid), "اختيار الدين" (Ikhtiyar al-Din), "سيفُ الدين" (Sayf al-Din), and "سُلطان الغُزاة" (Sultan al-Ghuzat). Another recorded title is "اورخان غازى" (Orhan Gazi).

### Chronology
Specific chronological data points define Orhan's timeline:
*   **Birth:** Recorded as +1281-02-06T00:00:00Z (February 6, 1281).
*   **Reign:** Began approximately in 1324 and concluded in 1362.
*   **Death:** Recorded as +1362-03-00T00:00:00Z (March 1362).

### Geographic and Physical Legacy
Orhan's historical presence is marked by specific geographic locations and structures in Turkey.
*   **Orhangazi:** A district and town located in Bursa, Turkey (Country: Q43), directly named after him.
*   **Orhan Gazi Mosque:** A mosque situated in Bursa, northwestern Turkey (Country: Q43), serving as a key religious site associated with his era.
*   **Orhan Gazi Türbesi:** His tomb (Türbe) is referenced in visual records (e.g., "Orhan Gazi Türbesi 6896.jpg").

### Symbolism and Media
The visual and symbolic representation of Orhan is captured in several media formats:
*   **Tughra:** The "Tughra of Orhan.svg" is a distinct symbol representing his sovereign authority.
*   **Images:** Visual records include "Sultan Gazi Orḫan Han - السُلطان الغازي أورخان خان.jpg" and "Metehanzade orhangazi.jpg."
*   **Audio:** Pronunciation of his name is preserved in audio files "Orhan-Gazi-ar.ogg" and "Orhan-Gazi-full-ar.ogg."

### External Identifiers and Records
Orhan is extensively cataloged across multiple international knowledge bases and library systems, reflecting his historical significance.
*   **Library and Archive IDs:** He holds identifiers in the Virtual International Authority File (VIAF ID: 314814836), the German National Library (GND ID: 122922999), and the Library of Congress (LCCN ID: no2012092705).
*   **Biographical Dictionaries:** He is listed in the Dictionary of Greek Roman Biography (ID: 391/000113052), the Turkish Biographical Archive (fID: vtls3493192), and has a Britannica entry (ID: biography/Orhan).
*   **Database Keys:** His presence is recorded in Wikidata (Q5 instance), Freebase (/m/05mqw), and various other academic and genealogical databases with IDs such as 0000000419826072 (ISNI) and 073309931 (NLA ID).

## References

1. [Source](https://islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/orhan)
2. [Source](https://ttk.gov.tr/osmanli-padisahlari/)
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. Virtual International Authority File
5. [Source](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Orhan)
6. Sejm-Wielki.pl
7. HMML Authority File