Alaattin Ali of Karaman

Alaattin Ali of Karaman (d.1397), also Alaeddin Ali, was a bey of Karaman Beylik, a Turkish principality in Anatolia in the 14th century. Like most other Karaman beys, Ali Bey was a rival of the rising Ottoman Empire, and the two principalities engaged in chronic wars against one another.

Early life His father was Halil Bey. After his brother Süleyman ascended to the throne, he was appointed as the governor of Ermenek. However, after his brother was assassinated in Karaman, he succeeded his brother in 1361. He had family ties to the Ottoman dynasty, for he married Nefise Hatun, Murat I's daughter.

War with the neighbours In the 14th century, Anatolia was in turmoil. In addition to Karaman beylik there were many other Anatolian beyliks. Ali invaded the territories of neighbouring beyliks; Hamidoğlu, Eretna and Germiyan. He even tried to raid Kadi Burhanettin's dominions, but without success.

First war against the Ottoman Empire Ottoman Sultan Murat was engaged in Rumeli (European section of the empire), and Ali saw his chance to capture Beysehir, an Ottoman fort, in 1386. Murat returned to Anatolia and defeated Ali's forces in a location named Frenkyazısı, near Konya, the capital. According to Professor Halil İnalcık, the importance of this battle was that it showed the superiority of the regular army (janissaries) over tribal forces. After Nefise's mediation however, Murat agreed to withdraw on the condition that Beyşehir be handed to Ottomans.

Second war against the Ottoman Empire After Murat I was killed in the battle of Kosovo in 1389, Ali invaded Ottoman territory for the second time. But in 1390, Beyazıt I, the new sultan, returned to Anatolia, and after defeating minor beyliks, he began preparing for the final assault on Karaman beylik. Two other monarchs in Anatolia, Kadı Burhanettin and Süleyman of Candar however, afraid of the rising Ottoman power, formed an alliance against Ottomans. Ottomans once again agreed to lift the siege with similar conditions as of 1386.

They had at least three sons: Mehmed II of Karaman (1379-1423), who was his father's successor after his death; Alaeddin Ali Bey (1381-1424); Oğuz Bey, probably died in infancy.