Janissary

The Janissaries (or janizaries; in Turkish: Yeniçeri (yeni çeri, meaning "new soldier"); in Greek: Γενίτσαροι; in Bulgarian: яничари; in Croatian and Bosnian: Janjičari; in Slovenian: Janjičarji; in Hungarian: Janicsárok; in Serbian :Јањичари; in Romanian: ieniceri; in Arabic: الانكشارية) comprised infantry units that formed the Ottoman sultan's household troops and bodyguard. The force originated in the 14th century; it was abolished by Sultan Mahmud II in 1826.

Origin of the janissaries

Sultan Murat I of the fledgling Ottoman Empire founded the units around 1365. It was initially formed of Dhimmi (non-Muslims, originally exempted from military service), especially Christian youths and prisoners-of-war, reminiscent of Mamelukes. Murat may have also used futuwa groups as a model.

Such Janissaries became the first Ottoman standing army, replacing forces that mostly comprised tribal warriors, whose loyalty and morale could not always be trusted. Moreover, no free warrior would agree to being an infantryman, considering it beneath him.

Recruitment, training and status

The first Janissary units comprised war captives and slaves. After the 1380s Sultan Selim I filled their ranks with the results of taxation in human form called devshirmeh: the Sultan’s men conscripted a number of non-Muslim, usually Christian, boys – at first at random, later, by strict selection – to be trained. Initially they favoured Greeks, Albanians (who also supplied many gendarmes), usually selecting about one in five boys of ages seven to fourteen but the numbers could be changed to correspond with the need for soldiers. Next the devshirmeh was extended to also include Serbs, Bosnians and other Balkan countries, later especially Ukraine and southern Russia. While some hated losing their sons, other local residents appreciated the custom, as there is evidence that some Christians sought to have their children recruited as a way to gain social advancement. In some cases bribes were given and ages were lied about.

Janissaries trained under strict discipline with hard labour and in practically monastic conditions in acemi oğlan schools, where they were expected to remain celibate. All did, as Christians were not allowed to bear arms in the Ottoman Empire until the 19th century. Unlike other Muslims, they were expressly forbidden to wear beards (a Muslim custom), only a moustache. These rules were obeyed by Janissaries, at least until 18th century when they also began to engage in other crafts and trades, breaking another of the original rules.

For all practical purposes, Janissaries belonged to the Sultan, carrying the title kapıkulu ("door slave") indicating their collective bond with the Sultan. Janissaries were taught to consider the corps as their home and family, and the Sultan as their de facto father. Only those who proved strong enough earned the rank of true Janissary at the age of twenty four or twenty five. The regiment inherited the property of dead Janissaries, thus amassing wealth (like religious orders and foundations enjoying the 'dead hand').

Janissaries also learned to follow the dictates of the dervish saint Hajji Bektash Wali, disciples of whom had blessed the first troops. Bektashi served as a kind of chaplain for Janissaries. In this and in their secluded life, Janissaries resembled Christian military orders like the Johannites of Rhodes.

In return for their (decreasing) loyalty and their fervour in war, Janissaries gained (increasing) privileges and benefits. Originally they received pay only in wartime, but by the mid-18th century they could work as law-enforcers or as tradesmen in peacetime – although they always lived in barracks. Still, they enjoyed high living standards, exemption from taxes and respected social status. Many of them became administrators and scholars. Retired and invalid Janissaries even received pensions. This evolution away from their original military vocation was the germ of the system's demise.

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 (equivalent to regiment) An orta was headed by çorbaci. All ortas together would comprise the proper Janissary corps and its organisation named ocak (literally "hearth"). Suleiman I had 165 ortas but the number over time increased to 196. The Sultan was the supreme commander of the Army and the Janissaries in particular, but the corps was organized and led by their supreme ağa (commander). The corps was divided into three sub-corps:

the cemaat (frontier troops; also spelled jemaat), with 101 ortas
the beyliks or beuluks (the Sultan's own bodyguard), with 61 ortas
the sekban or seirnen, with 34 ortas

In addition there was also 34 ortas of the ajemi (cadets).

Originally Janissaries could be promoted only through seniority and within their own orta. 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 or 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. The siege of Vienna confirmed the reputation of their engineers, e.g. sapping. 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 mamluks and wars against the Austrian-Hungarian Empire. 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 Sultan Mehmet IV abolished the devshirmeh as increasing numbers of originally Muslim Turkish families had already enrolled their own sons into the force hoping for a lucrative career. Every governor wanted to have his own Janissary troops.

The Janissary revolts

As Janissaries became aware of their own importance they began to desire a better life. In 1449 they revolted for the first time, demanding higher wages, which they obtained. The stage was set for a decadent evolution, like the Praetorian Guard which had proved the greatest threat to Roman emperors, rather than an effective protection. After 1451, every new Sultan felt obligated to pay each Janissary a reward and raise his pay rank. Sultan Selim II gave janissaries permission to marry in 1566, undermining the exclusivity of loyalty to the dynasty.

In the aftermath of the Moldavian Magnate Wars (1595–1621) with the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and Habsburgs, culminating in the battles of Cecora and Ottoman defeat at Khotyn (Polish-Lithuanian Army was represented by Ukrainian Cossacks under the command of Petro Konashevych Sahaidachny), Sultan Osman II died during the Janissary rebellion of 1622.

By the early 18th century Janissaries had such prestige and influence that they dominated the government. They could mutiny and dictate policy and hinder efforts to modernize the army structure. They could change Sultans as they wished through palace coups. They made themselves landholders and tradesmen. They would also limit the enlistment to the sons of former Janissaries who did not have to go through the original training period in the acemi oğlan, as well as avoiding the physical selection, so of lesser military value.

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. The 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 Bektashi sect.

In 1807 a Janissary revolt deposed Sultan Selim III, who had tried to modernize the army along Western European lines. His supporters failed to recapture power before Mustafa IV had him killed, but elevated Mahmud II to the throne in 1808. When the Janissaries threatened to oust Mahmut, 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; in spring 1811 two regiments engaged in a gun battle in Istanbul. They fought in the Greek War of Independence.

Eventually Mahmud II sought to get rid of the Janissaries altogether. Their abuse of power, military ineffectiveness, resistance to reform and the cost of salaries to 135,000 men, many of whom were not actually serving soldiers, or even still alive, allowing the commander to still claim the money with their pay tickets, had all become intolerable.

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

Modern Janissaries

In the modern army of Turkey, the Mehter military band and the troops that accompany them form the only remnant of the Janissaries.

Janissary music

The military march music of the Janissaries is characteristic because of its powerful, often shrill sound combining davul (bass drum), Zurna (a loud oboe) , bells, the triangle and cymbals (zil), among others (audio clip: "The Janissaries' Air"). 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) where they remain.

Popular culture

Because of their legendary status, Jannisaries featured (mostly as unique units for the Turks) in strategy video games, especially those that involve the Ottoman Turks, such as:

Sources and references

Godfrey Goodwin, Janissaries
David Nicolle, Janissary
Janissary section on German-language website about Ottomman empire (not yet exploited)

External Links

1360s establishments | 1826 disestablishments | Infantry | Medieval warfare | Ottoman military

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