During the post-Seljuk era in the second half of the middle ages, numerous Turkoman principalities, which are collectively known as the Anatolian beyliks, emerged in Anatolia. Initially the Karamanids, centered on the modern provinces of Karaman and Konya, were the most important power in Anatolia. But towards the end of the 14th century the Ottomans began to dominate most of Anatolia, reducing Karamanid influence and prestige. Thus the campaign of Timur to Anatolia and the ensuing Ottoman Interregnum gave the Karamanids a chance for revival. However the Karamanids also experienced a period of interregnum during Ottoman interregnum, so they were unable to end Ottoman domination in Anatolia.
Ibrahim Bey was Mehmet Bey's son. He fought against his uncle Ali Bey, and with Ottoman support he ascended to throne in 1424. Nevertheless, their help did not ensure his fidelity to the Ottomans. He secretly allied himself with Kingdom of Hungary against them. During the Ottoman wars in Europe, he was able to capture the city ofBeyşehir from the Ottomans. However, in 1433, Ottoman SultanMurat II returned to Anatolia and Ibrahim sued for peace in 1435. Nevertheless, shortly after the peace, Ibrahim laid a siege on Amasya an important Ottoman city to which Murat reacted by supporting the Dulkadirids to capture the city of Kayseri and İsa, Ibrahim's brother, to capture Akşehir from Karamanids. Ibrahim was forced to lift the siege in 1437. During the following seven years peace prevailed in Anatolia. But in 1444 when a great crusader army began marching on the Ottoman capital, Ibrahim saw his chance and plundered Ottoman cities in Anatolia including Ankara and Kütahya. Murat, caught between two fires, had to sign the Treaty of Szeged with the crusaders and then returned to Anatolia and retaliated. Ibrahim was forced to sign a treaty with unfavarable terms. Although after Murat's death Ibrahim allied himself with Venice, he didn't fight against the Ottomans.
Ibrahim Bey and the other powers
Although Mamluks in Egypt supported İsa, Ibrahim's brother against Ibrahim during the early years, Ibrahim and the Mamluks were usually on good terms. However competition over Çukurova destroyed the friendship. Ibrahim captured the important castle of Corycus in Mediterranean coast from the kingdom of Cyprus in 1448. This enabled him to conquer the rest of Çukurova. But Mamluks together with Turkmen beylik of Ramazan which was their vassal attacked on Karamanids in 1456. So Ibrahim gave up hopes to conquer Çukurova.
Last years
During his last years, his sons began struggling for the throne. His heir apparent was İshak, the governor of Silifke. But, Pir Ahmet, a younger son declared himself as the bey of Karaman in Konya. Ibrahim escaped to a small city in western territories where he died in 1464.
