Final answer:
Mehmet II was crucial in the history of the Ottoman Empire as the sultan who captured Constantinople in 1453. His reign marked the transformation of the empire into an influential power, characterized by cultural development, religious tolerance, and administrative advancements. The correct option is C.
Step-by-step explanation:
The importance of Mehmet II in the Ottoman Empire is significant as he was the sultan who successfully captured Constantinople in 1453, marking the end of the Byzantine Empire. This achievement not only expanded the empire substantially but also marked the beginning of a new era, as Constantinople became Istanbul, a center of cultural and intellectual activity.
Mehmet II was known for his thirst for knowledge, his patronage of arts and sciences, and his administrative skill which fostered a period of consolidation and brilliant cultural development within the empire. He embraced diversity and established a form of governance that allowed religious communities a degree of autonomy, paving the way for a multicultural society that thrived under his rule.
Mehmet II was also known for his civil policies, including rebuilding Constantinople, inviting scholars and artists from all over Asia and Europe, allowing religious tolerance through the millet system, and positioning Constantinople as an epicenter for culture and trade. He regarded himself as the rightful successor to the Byzantine rulers, embodying the continuity and transformation of the empire into a formidable power of the Middle Ages.