In Episode 187 of Kuruluş Osman, viewers are introduced to a fearsome new enemy: Orluk Kucar, a brutal Mongol commander who arrives with threats of total destruction. Sent by Olcaytu Khan, Kucar comes to the frontier with a chilling message and a demand that could shake Osman’s world.
But this raises an important question — is Orluk Kucar based on a real person from history, or is he just a fictional villain created for dramatic effect?
Story of Orluk Kucar in Kurulus Osman
The episode begins in the aftermath of the secret killings of two Mongol figures, Esenbike and Sargun. These deaths were orchestrated by Osman’s hidden enemies — including the scheming Princess Sophia.
News of their deaths enrages Olcaytu Khan, the ruler of the Mongol Ilkhanate. Instead of responding diplomatically, Olcaytu sends his most feared warrior, Orluk Kucar, to the Anatolian front.
Kucar is portrayed as a ruthless warrior — feared even among the Mongols. He demands not only the bodies of Esenbike and Sargun, but also a boy and girl from Osman’s own family as compensation. If Osman refuses, Kucar promises complete destruction: not just of villages and warriors, but even the birds in the sky and the sheep in the fields.
Naturally, Osman Bey refuses to bow to such threats. He gathers his beys, calls on his Alps, and prepares for war — vowing to protect the frontier and continue his mission.
History vs. Fiction: Was Orluk Kucar Real?
The short answer? No — there is no historical record of a Mongol commander named Orluk Kucar in any official archives from the Ilkhanate or Anatolian sources.
He is a fictional character, created by the writers of Kuruluş Osman to raise the stakes of the story and introduce new layers of conflict.
What About Olcaytu Khan?
Unlike Kucar, Olcaytu Khan was a real historical figure. He ruled the Ilkhanate (a Mongol state that controlled much of Persia and parts of Anatolia) from 1304 to 1316. He was known for his shifting religious beliefs, including a brief period of Shi’a Islam, before fully converting to Islam.
However, there’s no historical evidence that Olcaytu Khan ever had a direct confrontation with Osman Bey. By the time Osman was gaining power in Anatolia, the Mongol grip over the region was already weakening. The Ilkhanate was beginning to lose its hold, and local Turkish beyliks — including the rising Ottomans — were asserting themselves.
Final Thoughts
So, while Orluk Kucar makes for a thrilling on-screen villain, he doesn’t appear in any real historical records. His character — along with his dramatic demands — is part of the creative storytelling that Kuruluş Osman is known for.
The show often blends real history with legend and fiction, creating an engaging narrative that keeps viewers guessing. It’s up to us as the audience to separate what’s historical from what’s made for TV.
