Mehmet 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. This victory established the Ottoman Empire as a major power in both Europe and Asia. Mehmet was a skilled military leader and strategist, implementing innovative tactics and technologies, such as large cannons. His reign also saw significant cultural and architectural developments, including the construction of Topkapi Palace and the Hagia Sophia's transformation into a mosque.