A 1473 clash between rival empires proved that gunpowder would redefine medieval warfare
The 1473 Battle of Otlukbeli marked a turning point in history when the Ottoman Empire used superior gunpowder technology to crush a rival cavalry, signaling the end of traditional medieval warfare.
On August 11, 1473, Mehmed the Conqueror faced off against Uzun Hassan of the Aq Qoyunlu in a struggle for dominance over Anatolia. While Uzun Hassan relied on the traditional, highly skilled nomadic cavalry that had dominated the East for centuries, Mehmed brought a modern edge: cannons and primitive handguns known as arquebuses.
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