3 The janissary corps

The full strength of the janissary troops varied from maybe 100 to more than 200,000. The corps was organized in ortas (literally "hearth" but equivalent to regiment). Suleiman I had 165 ortas but the amount increased to 196. The sultan was the supreme commander of the Janissaries but the corp was organized and led by the aga (commander). The corps was divided into three sub-corps:

• the jemaat (frontier troops), with 101 ortas
• the beuluks (sultan's bodyguard), with 61 ortas
• the sekban or seirnen, with 34 ortas

In addition there was also 34 ortas of the ajami (apprentices). Originally janissaries could increase in rank only within their own orta and only through seniority. They would leave the unit only to assume command of another. Only janissaries' own commanding officers could punish them. The rank names were based on positions in a kitchen staff and hunters, perhaps to emphasise that janissaries were servants of the sultan.

In the first centuries janissaries were expert archers, but they adopted firearms as soon as such became available (during the 1440s). In melee combat they used axes and sabres. Originally in peacetime they could carry only clubs or cutlasses, unless they served in border troops. Local janissaries, stationed in a town or city for a long time were known as yerliyyas.

The Ottoman empire used janissaries in all its major campaigns, including the 1453 capture of Constantinople, the defeat of the Egyptian mameluks and wars in Austria. Janissary troops were always led to the battle by the sultan himself, and always had a share of the booty.

Janissaries’ reputation increased to the point that by 1683 the sultan Mehmed IV could abolish the devshirmeh. Increasing numbers of originally Muslim Turkish families had already enrolled their own sons into the force. Every governor wanted to have his own janissaries.

4 The janissary revolts

Janissaries also became aware of their own importance and begun to desire better payment. In 1449 they revolted for the first time, demanding higher wages, which they obtained. After 1451, every new sultan was obligated to pay each janissary a reward and raise his pay rank. Sultan Selim II gave janissaries permission to marry in 1566.

By the early 18th century janissaries had such prestige and influence that they could dominate the government. They could mutiny and dictate policy and hinder efforts to modernise the army structure. They could change sultans as they wished through palace coup s. They made themselves landholders and tradesmen. They would also limit the enlistment to the boys of former janissaries who did not have to go through the original training period in acemi oglan.

When janissaries could practically extort money from the Sultan and business and family life replaced martial fervour, their effectiveness as combat troops decreased. The northern borders of the Ottoman Empire slowly began to shrink southwards after the second Battle of Vienna in 1683. Janissaries resisted attempts to reorganise the army and in 1622 killed sultan Osman II when he planned to replace them. They also had support of the bektashie sect.

In 1807 the janissaries revolted and deposed Selim III, who had tried to create a more modern army with European instructors. His supporters failed to recapture power before Mustafa IV had him killed but elevated Mahmud II to the throne in 1808. When janissaries threatened to oust Mahmud, he followed suit and had the captured Mustafa executed and eventually came to a compromise with the janissaries. He spent more than a decade in securing his position.

In April 1810, janissaries burned 2,000 homes in Galata and in spring 1811 two regiments engaged in a gun battle in Istanbul. They fought in the Greek War of Independence.

Eventually Mahmud II had to get rid of the janissaries. One reason could have been that he had to pay the high salaries of 135,000 janissaries, many of which were not actually serving soldiers. Many may have been already dead or retired soldiers that were kept on the payroll to allow the commander to claim the money and speculate with the pay tickets.

In 1826 the janissaries noticed that sultan was forming a new army. Some have suggested that the sultan had incited them to revolt on purpose. On June 14 - 15 1826, janissaries in Istanbul revolted but this time most of the army and of the population at large turned against them. Spahis, the cavalry units loyal to the sultan forced them to retreat to their barracks. Artillery fired fifteen volleys into the barracks buildings and caused massive casualties. Survivors sufferred execution or banishment and two years later Mahmud II confiscated the last janissary possessions. This event is now called The Auspicious Incident .

5 Modern janissaries

In the modern army of Turkey the Mehter Band and the troops that accompany them form the only remnant of the janissaries. The band plays at state, military and tourist functions.

6 Janissary music

The military march music of the Janissaries is characteristic because of its powerful, often shrill sound combining bass drums, horns (boru), bells, the triangle and cymbals (zil), among others. Janissary music influenced western classic musicians like Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Ludwig van Beethoven. The Janissary Music is still played at state, military and tourist functions in modern Turkey by the Mehter Band and the troops that accompany. For more details, see Turkish music (style).

7 References

• Godfrey Goodwin - Janissaries
• David Nicolle - Janissary
• 1911 Encyclopedia Brittanica

Ottoman Empire

<Hide>