The rebellion began with the Battle of Mohács, with the support of the Turkmen tribes, Çiçekli, Akça Koyunlu, Masadlı, Bozoklua, and splintered groups who remained after the Baba Zünnun rebellion. With the support of Sunni Dulkadirli lords, the resistance grew in southeast Anatolia and to central Anatolia with the help of the sipahi's (Ottoman cavalry corps). According to different sources, around 30,000 men gathered around Kalender Çelebi.