Janissaries : An Elite Force of the Ottomans
 |
| An Elite Military Force of Ottomans: Janissary Source: Pinterest  |
Ottoman Empire or popularly known as Turkish Empire was one of the greatest empire in the world from 14th century until first world war considering economy, military strength and trade leverage. At its zenith, this empire ruled over a huge portion of Asia, Africa and Europe constituting modern countries like Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, Iraq, Libya, Saudi Arab, Greece, Bulgaria, Romania and Serbia. And needless to say, this empire was hailing Islam Caliphate for more than 400 years before its abolition. This huge empire adopted a system of keeping an elite and heavily distinguished military force in its army. This elite force was named Janissaries or
Yeniçeri
(Literally 'New Soldier'). The world gave them the nickname of “Ottoman’s elite slaves”. They were really elite, insanely disciplined and loyal to Sultan. This corp was envisioned by Murad the First.
Janissary
Corps was the most respected, highest paid and strongest group of the army. The
Sultan himself visited their barracks and wore their dress to receive the
salary with them. They were allotted special dress allowance, highest
percentage of ammunition access and a handsome monthly salary. In the
battlefield, they were the most fearsome and heroic. They had particular battle
music in the battlefield that often trembled the enemies. And their music
influenced even Mozart and Beethoven in their compositions like Sonata No. 11
and 9th Symphony respectively. They commanded battalions and few
chosen ones would serve as Sultan’s bodyguards. After retirement, they could
serve as the Governor of a state or secretarial works at the Sultan’s cabinet.
Even few of them rose to Grand Vizier or Prime Minister. This was an
organization rather than a mere military corps which would gather people and
turn them into elite human resource. And the well-known Kamal Ataturk himself
had admired and adored the Janissary so much that in his early military career
despite his ranks wore Janissary uniform.
They were
recruited carefully, then trained rigorously according to individual merit and
then were placed into military to join the elite corps. They were promoted
through strict meritocracy. Hence, within four centuries the Janissaries
initiated several palace coups, revolt against Sultan and in two incidents
killed the Sultan. Even the affiliation of Ottoman Empire in the WWI could be
attributed to some descents of Janissaries.
Now, this
aristocratic group was recruited in a very interesting way. The criteria for
admitting them were-
·
Boys
of 8 to 14 years of age at the earlier period
·
Mainly
Christian in the earlier days, but later they included anyone.
·
Physical
build and absence of any disability
·
Young
slaves captured from the defeated regions
·
The
average age of recruited children were always under 15 years
·
No
girls were allowed
These boys
were then sent to Turkish Muslim families to initially educate them in Turkish
language and Islamic teachings. They were converted to Islam and learned the
customs and teachings of the Ottoman society. Also, they were also initiated to Bektashism, a sufi order heavily influenced by Christianity and Animism.
The sultan initiated the system of Devshirme, a type of human tax which compelled the Christians in their realm to let go young children to be raised and trained under the Janissary system. Every 40 families would have to supply a christian young blood every 5 years.
After the
basic learning of society and religion they were sent to the capital city
training institute. There, these young cadets would be selected for their
talents in different areas to train as engineers, artisans, riflemen, clerics,
archers, artillery, and so forth.
Janissaries
trained under strict discipline with hard labor and in practically monastic
conditions in cadet schools. After regarding all the skills and tests only
those who proved strong enough earned the rank of true Janissary at the age of
24 or 25.
 |
| Janissaries' attire |
Their
motivation was that they are the most elite group among the protector of the
realm and Sultan. They were fighting for their religion, their Sultan and above
all for the Turks. They would gather a huge amount of wealth after retirement
hence inspiring many families to voluntarily give away their children as the
Janissary cadets. Also the future prospect of a powerful Janissary was immense
in terms of influence in the palace and the conquered regions.
The
promotion of Janissaries was strictly merit based. As they were recruited without
prior checking of ancestry or preferred regions, any nepotism was not
prevalent. They had to earn the skill, respect and wisdom to hold a higher
rank. They could serve in the royal palace in his military career and after
retirement they could find themselves in the decision making of various
departments of the empire including the state itself.
 |
| Senior Janissary Officers in 15th century Source: Pinterest |
They were one of the key factors which contributed to the conquer of Constantinople in 1453 by the Fatih Sultan Mehmet. They were released as the last wave of army to gain the last line of defense of the last remnants of Roman Empire as Byzantines by the Sea of Marmara. The war cry of Janissaries brought forth feat and instilled horror in the mind of opponents. All of that, and they were too loyal to Sultan at that period. Also, they were rightfully called the most powerful force in all of Europe and Asia at that time.
But starting
from 15th century this system accumulated so much Janissaries under
its tent and they had become so influential that within 200 years the force organized
several revolts demanding pay raise, right to marry, right to admit their own
child into the corps and so on. Even in 17th and 18th
century they had so much power over the empire that in this time, they placed
numerous palace coups and killed sultans. One of them were de facto ruler for
14 years. And after so much resistance and fight in the 1830s the Janissary
system was abolished. But the legacy were there. In most occasions they could
acquire the rank and title of Pasha who were the pioneers of many incidents
throughout the history.
Now, the
overwhelming power and influence over a huge organization came from recruited
young militaries who were promoted through strict meritocracy and zero
tolerance for nepotism. This practice instigated the Janissaries and gave them
less satisfaction with what they get and hold. With greater bondage among the
corps for aging up together gave them a sense of unity and confidence that they
could regard themselves more superior to their occupiers.
This system
made the infamous Ottoman military dawdled in the 18th century
battles and eventually incorporating them into political and ministerial works
brought forth the dismantle of the empire itself. If the Sultan could have had
proper control and relations with the Janissaries this couldn’t happen, who
knows? Also, if the Sultans could incentivize them according to not only their
skill but also their allegiance and linkage the scenario could be completely
different. Rather than being one of the hated groups they could be revered and
loved all over the world.
Sources:
Sources:
Comments
Post a Comment