gullari Principality
In the beginning, Germiyanogullari was the most powerful and the biggest principality following Karamanogullari principality among the forefront beys of Seljuk State in the century XIII. This principality had dominated for approximately 130 years between 1260 and 1390, and then again for 27 years since the date of Ankara war that took place on the date of 28th July 1401 and until February 1429. Therefore, the total period of their domination was approximately 156,5 years.
The Germiyan tribe had been observed within the environs of Malatya for the first time in the century XIII. Then, Germiyanogullari had probably immigrated to the region of Kutahya upon the pressure of Mongolians. In this region, Germiyanogullari has fought for their independence against Giyaseddin Mesud II who was the sultan of Turkey Seljuk State and the Mongolians.
The main founder of this principality was Kerîmüddin Alişîrs son, Yakûb I. Yakûb Bey did not submit to the domination of Gıyâseddîn Mesûd (1302-1310) who had become sultan for the second time, and he submitted to the domination of Ilhanli State. The centre of the principality that he had founded was Kutahya. Germiyanogullari principality that had been under the domination of Yakub Bey was one of the most powerful principalities of Anatolia. The Byzantine had sent a definite tax and presents to this principality.
The capital city of the State was Kutahya. In the year of 1381, Kütahya, Simav and Tavşanli had been given to Ottomans and they had withdrawn to Kula.
Germiyanogullari principality was considered among the dynasties that had definitely conquered the most important places from the Byzantine in the Western Anatolia and led to these regions become Turkish. Therefore, they had got a supreme prestige.
Within the most extensive framework, the state included the provinces of todays Kutahya, Usak, Denizli, Afyon and the eastern region of the province of Malatya. Considering that Aydinogullari principality was submissive to Germiyanogullari principality, it means that this principality extended towards the Aegean Sea. Towards the year of 1360, the surface area of the principality was nearly 37.000 km2. Germiyanogullari had captured Afyon and its environs from Sahib Ataogullari principality.
Inancogullari principality that dominated in Denizli' for 92 years had been from the dynasty of Germiyanogullari.
Yakûb Bey had captured Alaşehir in the year of 1314 and levied a tribute on it. He was submissive to Emir Coban, the Ilhanli governor who had come to Anatolia in the same year. The first years of Suleymanshah between 1361-1387 had passed in peace. But he had been on the side of Ilyas Bey from Hamidogullari principality in the course of the struggles between Karamanlilar and Hamidogullari principalities. This situation caused discord between him and the Karamanli principality. Due to this pressure, Suleyman Shah wanted to make an agreement with the Ottomans. To this effect, he proposed to give her daughter for marriage with Sultan I Murads son, Bayezid and to leave some cities and districts to the Ottoman domination as a dowery.
Yakûb Bey ran away from Ipsala where he was arrested as prisoner in the year of 1399. Then, he was able to go to Timur. Pursuant to Ankara war in 1402, Timur returned his country to him.
Yakûb II Bey had therefore been submissive to the domination of Timur. He had been on the side of his nephew, Celebi Mehmed in the course of the struggles for the throne among the Ottoman princes. As a result of the military expeditions that were successively organised in two years by Mehmed Bey from Karamanli principality, Yakub Bey had to leave his country. However, when Celebi Mehmed defeated the Karamanli principality, he had returned to the sovereignty of his bey principality again (1414).
After a short term of peace, Yakub Bey and Karamanli principality took side with Mustafa Celebi who was the other son of Celebi Mehmed against Sultan Murad II. Pursuant to the murder of Mustafa Celebi in Iznik (1423), Yakub Bey preferred to have good relationship with the Ottoman State. Since Yakub Bey did not have any sons, he left his country to the Ottoman State pursuant to his death. Therefore, Germiyanogullari principality had entirely been under the domination of the Ottoman State after his death (1429).
Germiyanogullari have existed up to now and they had brought up very important characters that were appointed to the high ranks of vizier, status of a son-in-law, etc. in the service of the Ottoman State.
Germiyanogullari
1. Kerimeddin Ali Şir Bey (12607-1264) 2. Yâkub Bey I (1264-1325) 3. Mehmed Bey (13257-1360) 4. Suleyman Shah Bey (Âdil) (13607-1387) 5. Yâkub Bey II (1387-1390)
The Germiyanogullari palace was a place in which the scientists and poets were maintained under high protection. Especially in the periods of Suleyman Shah and Yakub Bey II, the economical and social live had been highly developed and it had reached the highest level in respect of culture among Anatolian principalities in Kutahya.
Most of the architectural works are in Kutahya and the most important of these works is the complex of buildings that included the mausoleum built by Yakub Bey II, the theological school and the charitable establishment.