Mehmed the Conqueror, also known as Mehmed II, was an Ottoman sultan who reigned from 1444 to 1446 and again from 1451 to 1481. He is best known for his conquest of Constantinople in 1453, which marked the end of the Byzantine Empire and established the city as the new capital of the Ottoman Empire. His successful military strategies and use of advanced artillery played a crucial role in this victory. Mehmed was a patron of the arts and education, promoting cultural and architectural developments throughout his empire. He is credited with transforming Istanbul into a vibrant center of trade and culture. His reign laid the foundation for the expansion of the Ottoman Empire, making it one of the most powerful states in the world during the 15th and 16th centuries.