Siege of Kulaca Hisar

The Siege of Kulacahisar or Raid of Kulacahisar was a battle fought between the Byzantines and the Turks under the command of Osman Gazi in 1285.

Battle
After the Reconquest of Constantinople, the Byzantine capital returned to Constantinople and their authority on the Anatolian frontiers was loosened. When Osman Bey came to power in the Kayi Tribe following the death of his father, he established friendly relations with the Tekfurs of Yenisehir and Lefke. The landlord of Inegol, Aya Nikola was determined to reverse the enroachment of the Turks upon Bithinya and started plundering Kayi markets. When Osman Bey moved towards Inegol seeking retribution he was ambushed at Battle of Mount Armenia by Nikola and his retinue. The Kayi were vastly outnumbered so sustained heavy casualties. Even Bayhoca, son of his brother Savcı Bey and a renowned warrior was killed. The Turkish cavalry managed to escape with their sword high to break the Byzantine line. There was no winner to this battle as both sides had to retreat back into their own lands and regroup.

Siege
As revenge for all those slain on the mountain, Osman attacked the Byzantine-held Kulacahisar Castle, which is 5 kilometers away from İnegöl and located on the outskirts of Emirdağ to protect the city. A few men sneaked into the fortress disguised as Romans neutralized the guards and opened the doors. As a result of a night raid with a force of 2.000 people, the castle was captured by the Turks. This is the first castle conquest in the history of the Ottoman Empire. Since the captured Christian people of Kulacahisar accepted the rule of Osman Bey, the people there were not harmed.