Conquest of Konya

In the winter of 1468, there were 2 coups in a row in the Mamluk Sultanate of Egypt. The second of these regime changes brought one of the greatest Mamluk sultans, Qaitbay, to power. Instability in Egypt encouraged Mehmed to go on a campaign against the Mamluks in the spring of 1468. Pir Ahmed was supposed to join the expedition as an Ottoman vassal; but he broke his covenant. Thereupon, Mehmed attacked Pir Ahmed instead of marching against the Mamluks.[2]

The army under the command of the Sultan himself entered the land of Karaman. Along with the Kevele castle, the state center Konya was taken. Mahmud Pasha was sent to Larende on Pir Ahmed Bey; Pir Ahmed, who accepted the war here, collapsed and fled. The Ottomans sent the art connoisseurs of Konya and Larende to Istanbul.[3]

When the Sultan arrived in Karahisar on his way back to Istanbul , he dismissed Grand Vizier Mahmud Pasha. The apparent reason for this dismissal was Mahmud's reply, "Of course he will come," when the Sultan asked if Pir Ahmed would be loyal to the covenant and come to serve. In the spring of 1469, the Sultan stayed in Istanbul and sent an army to Karaman to purge the rebels[4]