Western Version:
The fall of Constantinople in 1453 marked the end of a remarkable 1,100-year run for the Byzantine Empire. What's lesser known is that the Ottomans used massive bronze cannons to breach the legendary walls - cannons designed by a Hungarian Christian named Orban who had first offered his services to Constantinople. When they couldn't afford his astronomical price, he went to the Ottomans instead. His 27-foot cannon could fire 1,200 pound stone balls and took 60 oxen just to move into position. The mighty walls that had protected the city for centuries finally fell to Christian-made artillery in Muslim hands.
Turk Version:
Urban was left without work in Constantinople and came to Sultan Mehmed with a request to give him a job. The Sultan was preparing for a siege at that time and showed him the drawings of the Shahi cannon, which stunned him. The Sultan asked if he could build this cannon. Uran replied, yes, I can, but I can't fire a bullet. The Sultan said don't worry about it, just make the cannon. Sultan Mehmet made the drawings and calculations himself. Not like you Western historians have invented their own fame. Along with Urban, there were other engineers, Sarudzha Sekpan and Muslihitdin. A total of 3 cannons were built. Urban's cannon couldn't withstand the first week and cracked and exploded during the shot, and Urban died next to him. The other 2 worked until the end of the siege. one is in a museum in Britain, was given as a gift by Sultan Abdulaziz to Queen Victoria. learn history, not lies
Author: Saikat Bhattacharya
