The expansionist drive of Mehmed II into Anatolia impelled the Ak Koyunlu, who ruled Iran and southern Caucasus to form an alliance with Venice and other Christian powers. Venice, a long time naval power in the Levant had hoped for control of a port on the Syrian or south Anatolian coast and to that end had attempted a military alliance with Uzun Hasan.
Both the Ottoman and Ak Koyunlu armies were ready for a final confrontation. Finally, on 11 August 1473, in a pitched battle at Başkent near Otluk Beli, Uzun Hasan’s army was completely routed.
The Venetians, who at that time were at war with the Ottomans, sent artillery units to support the Ak Koyunlu. Though the Ak Koyunlu army was superior in terms of manpower, the Ottoman troops were better organized and equipped. In this battle, Ottoman artillery employed in concert worth war wagons created havoc within the ranks of the nomadic Ak Koyunlu army. While other factors such as discipline were important, the artillery overshadowed the rest.
The battle took nearly a whole day. With this defeat, the Ak Koyunlu in effect no longer played a serious role in the great power’s struggle for Anatolia.
Battle of Başkent
