Coming soonLive · 4 weeks · Beginner-friendly

The Ottoman Empire

From frontier principality to world empire — the story of six centuries of Ottoman history.

with Ustadh Maheer Hasan

Spanning more than six centuries and three continents, the Ottoman Empire was one of history's longest-lasting and most influential civilisations. From its humble beginnings as a small Turkish frontier state to its emergence as a global empire and eventual collapse in the twentieth century, the Ottoman story is one of conquest, power, reform, and transformation.

Duration: 4 weeks
Schedule: Dates to be announced
Investment: £20

Join waitlist →View outline

Course poster for The Ottoman Empire — Rise, Expansion, Legacy.

This four-week course explores the key turning points that shaped Ottoman history. Through the reigns of its most important rulers, major battles, political reforms, and moments of crisis, participants will gain a broad understanding of how the empire rose, flourished, adapted, and ultimately disappeared.

More than simply recounting events, the course encourages attendees to think critically about historical change, challenge common myths surrounding Ottoman "decline," and reflect upon the empire's lasting legacy in the modern world.

Whether you are completely new to Ottoman history or looking to deepen your understanding, this course offers an engaging introduction to one of history's greatest empires.

Rise → Zenith → Transformation → Collapse

What you'll learn

How the Ottomans rose from a small beylik into a powerful empire
The achievements of rulers such as Mehmed II and Suleiman the Magnificent
How Ottoman government, military institutions, and culture drove imperial success
Why historians increasingly challenge the traditional narrative of Ottoman decline
The reforms, nationalist movements, and wars that led to the empire's collapse
The Ottoman Empire's lasting impact on the Middle East, the Balkans, and modern Turkey

Who should attend

This is a beginner-friendly cohort — open to all, whatever your starting point.

Anyone interested in Ottoman or Islamic history
Students, teachers, and lifelong learners
Those seeking to understand the historical roots of the modern Middle East and Balkans
No previous knowledge required — only curiosity and a willingness to learn

Course outline

4 weeks · Weekly live sessions · Recommended reading: Osman's Dream by Caroline Finkel

Week 01

Rise – From Beylik to Empire

How did a small frontier state become a powerful empire?

Turkish migration into Anatolia
Osman I and the foundation of the Ottoman dynasty
Expansion under Orhan, Murad I and Bayezid I
The Battle of Ankara and the Ottoman Interregnum
Mehmed I and Murad II's restoration of Ottoman power

Week 02

Zenith – The Age of Conquest and Greatness

How did the Ottomans become one of the world's greatest empires?

Mehmed II and the conquest of Constantinople
Expansion under Selim I
Suleiman the Magnificent and Ottoman power at its height
Ottoman government, law, trade, and architecture
The cultural and political achievements of the classical age

Week 03

Crisis and Transformation

Did the Ottoman Empire really decline after Suleiman?

Challenges after the sixteenth century
Palace politics and the changing role of the sultan
The Janissaries and powerful grand viziers
Vienna (1683) and the Treaty of Karlowitz
Reform attempts and the changing balance of power

Week 04

Reform, Collapse and Legacy

Why did the Ottoman Empire eventually fall?

Mahmud II and the destruction of the Janissaries
The Tanzimat reforms
Nationalism and the loss of territory
The Young Turks and the First World War
The abolition of the Sultanate and the birth of modern Turkey
The Ottoman Empire's enduring legacy

Your instructor

Ustadh Maheer Hasan

History Teacher & Lecturer at Ajnadayn Institute

With years of experience teaching Islamic and Ottoman history, Ustadh Maheer Hasan combines academic knowledge with engaging storytelling to bring the past to life. His approach encourages thoughtful discussion, historical objectivity, and a deeper appreciation of one of the world's most remarkable civilisations.