THE TURKISH JANISSARIE S.

I3-j JIajnr-General I?'. U. TYRRELL,

Jlndrns Army.
" 3Iiitt nur! Einst jngten wir 1Fnmen
Den Feind nach Ilerzenolust ;
1)s sclion3 ein Iiund ron Jnuitoclinrcn
Ucii Hnuptmaun in dic Urnst."
TUEinterest of the following paper is purely antiquarian. It refers
to n state of things passed away, without a chnnco of recurrence or
resuscitation. Tt is 'intended only ns a coritribution to military
histoiT;a record of the oqprieation of thc first standing army seen in
Europe, and a unique instance of such nn institution in an Oriental
State and Nation. Thc'dctails hcic giren do not, to my kno\dedge,
occur in any En lisli work. I Iinvc taken them partly from tlie
t
descriptions. of t c Ottoman Empiro by Illnrsigli and Nouradjia
d'ollsson, published i n the 18th century, - b u t 'principnlly from the
work entitled in French "Etat M i t a i r o Ottoman depuis Is Fondntion
do 1'Emp.ire jusqn"i.nos'joul.y," from tlic pen of H;E. Ahmad J a ~ h d
Pdshb, the present able Prime JIinistcr of tlic Ottoman Empire. Tho
first rolumc of this work, wliieli contains tho' history of the corps of
Janissaries from its foundation in 13% to its suppression i n IsM,
is, so far as I can discover, the only one of tlic twenty-trro rolumcs
comprised in the sclicinc of the work wliicli has been trnuslntcd into
Frencli from tho wiginal Turkish. According to the preface, tlic first
seten rolumes of this monumental work wcrc to coniprisc t h historr
of thc Turkish' rifantry; tlic ciglith !and ninth Tolnmes that of thc
artillery and engineers ; the tenth, eleventh, nnd twclftli that of tlic
enralry ; the thirteenth treats of tactics and crolutions of the three
arms combined ; tlic fourteenth to the twcntictli volumes contain tho
record of tho'wws of 'tire' Empirc' from' its fonndation to tlic present
day ;. and the twenty-first ant1 tmnty-sccond roliirucs comprise :in
.account of tho nand and-marine forces. of tlic 'Empire, and of tho
4

maritimo wars of the Turks.

rt is curious to obscrre that the prineiple of universal. niilithrj
scrvicc,'which has just bccn' rcintrdduccd into the' Ottoman Empirc
n&r tho auspices of Aliiiiad J a ~ 5 dPhsllb, was in forec among the
Turks from the foundation of .tlic nation by Otlimdn Klidn ; and. tkat
they pO6SCSSCd a standing army of soldiers, paid, lodged, and rationed
.by the. State, 200. yenis bdforc tho cstnblishniciit of a' sihilar forco
in any'country of Christendom.
The whole Osmanli nation formed! an aim.13; of whicli the, Saltan
\+-as cz.pljicio Commandci.-in-Cliicf, with tho . Grarid T7qiir ..as his
Lieutenant. ' '
The national forces were divided into paid a i d : unpiid trcops ; or;
as wo shoiild now say, rcgnlars and irregulars.
134 TIIE TURKISH JANISSARIES.

Tho first category, or paid troops, compriscd-

1. Six rcgimcnts of camlry (Sipcihis).
2. Tho Corps of Infantry (Janissaries), organizcd in 195 com-
.panics.

1
3. Thc Corps of Artillery (Topjis)
4. Tho Corps of Ordnnncc Storekecpcrs (Jebejis)
5. Tho Corps of Ilrtillery Drivers (Top Ax6bajis) Orgaiiircd
6.. The Corps of nornlardicrs (Khumpcirajis) in com-
7. Tho Corps of Snppcrs (Laghfimjis) panies.
8. Thc Corps of llccrnits (Ajam Oglildns), or Train-
ing Dcpat
9. Tho Corps of Writcr Carriers (Snkkas).
J
CneaZry.-Tho six regiments of caralry liad no numbers; they
wero distinguished by their titlcs and hy tho colours of their
standards, as iollows :-
Eiih Ul1.lfji (right soldati), standard rcd and w h i t ~ .
Sol Ulfifaji (left soldati), standard ycllow and whitc.
SBgh GhurabB (riglit foreigners), standard grccn.
Sol GhnrabB (Icft foreigners), standard whitc.
Sipihis (troopers), standard rcd.
SilPhdcirs (gens d’armes), standard ycllow.
Tlio word Sipfihi, which was tho spccific designation of 0110 of the
regiments, was nscd by tlic Turks commonly to dcscribc all tho paid
csmlrx ; in fact, it was nsed much ns thc word Dragoon is uscd in
English ;sometimcs to dcnotc n particular description of cavalry, somc-
tirncs for any horse soldier.
T’lie four scnior regiments wcrc thc oldest paid troops in tho
Ottoman army, and wcrc cullcd tlic Bul6kiBt-i-Arbia, or “Four
Troops.”
Iu.war they cscortcd tho Sultan’s person and the Sanjdk-i-Sharif,
or Holy Standard of tho Prophet.
Tho wholo s i r regiments mcro spoken of as tho A l t i Buluk, or
“Six Troops.”
Thc Sipdhis, tho S5gh Uldfaji, and tho S5gh GharnLB wero always
stationed in tlio riglit wing in ordcr of bnttle ; the othcr three rcgi-
mcnts in tlic left wing. .
Organization.-The rcgimcnts were organizcd in troops (Bulfik)
wit11 a minimum strcngth of twenty-fivo and a maximum stren.@h’ of
thirty troopers. There was only one Ofiicer to each troop, tlie Bnlllk
E s h i or Captain. Them was no fised number of troops for each
regiment ; the number was incrcased or reduced according to occa-
sion. In tho old muster rolls we find one regiment with 300 troops
(from 7,000to 9,000 ,men), and anothcr with 100 troops (from 2,500
to 3,000 men).
Rcginienfal Stuf.-Each regiment had the following establishment
of Officers, extra to the Bnldk Dhhis, or troop leaders -
1. The dghti, or CoIoneI.
 THE .TURKISH JAXISSARIES. 135
2. Tho Bish KiQyQ(Ketkhudd), or Major.
3. %’lieKibyb Yeri, or Adjutant.
4. %‘heUdsh Chbnsh, or Sergeant-major.
5. Tho Bbsh BulGk Bashi, or Senior troop Icader.
The 6 g h 5 was _called b-y.the name of his regiment, as Siptihi
Aglidsi, Silnhddr Aghdsi, 8.c. Tlic sis Colonels ixnked among tho
lighBydn-i Bcrdn (Mastcrs of the Estcrior), or Chief Military Olfcers
of the Porte.
The Bdsh Chdnsli performed tlic duties of a. Procost-SIarslial.
Tho nbsh l3n16k Blislii auswered t o tho ititisaldai.-Mnjor in our
Indian cavalry regiments.
The whole body of Ofiiccrs of thc paid caralry \\-ere known br tho
generic name of tlic l3ulGk Aghdlari (Lords of the Troops).
lUethod of Recrtritiiig, Pay, Epuipiiient, &c.-Tlio Sipihis x c r c
recruited in scrcml ways :-
1. From the pages of the Seraglio, who wcrc nll Christinn boys
captnrcd in mar o r lcvicd no tribute from the linjalrs; when
fully grown theso b o p were nlwajs enrolled in the Sipihis, i€
not. otherwise pi-orided for.
2. By transfer of mou from the dismounted corps as a roward for
distinguished service.
3. By enlistment of their own childrcn or tlioso of otlicr Turks.
Tho troopcrs rcecivcd n l u m p sum ns yay, and found their 0x11
horses, arms, and equipment. Tiirkisli writers allude to their dis-
tinctive dress, and also to their being armed with lances.
The regiments ere g c n e r a l l ~quartered a t Constantinople, some-
times at Adrianoplc and Broussa.

Il?fnnlry or Jariissarics (Ttirkis7~l’angichari or Nezu dfilitia).

Orga,ii:ation, Titles, aiid Nmibers.-All the dismounted troops of tho
standing arniy mcro callcd IGpi Kuli (Slarcs of the Porte).
Jnuisaarics were commonly spoken of ns the Kirk Bin Kul(40, 00 Po
slaves) ; tlicr \rerc also called Haji Bektasli’s soldiery, from their
patron saint who l i d blessed the corps on its first iustitution.
Tho- Janissaries were organized in companies, whichawere tho
largest tactical and ndministmtive units then known in Europe.
T h e companies were numbered consecutively on three separate lists.
The Jamd’ats (Arabic for company) of YSjlis (Turkish corruption
of the Pcrsinn Piyhla, a foot soldier) were nnmhrcd from 1to 101.
.The Bnldks (Turkish for company) were numbered from 1 to 61.
The Odas (chambers) of Sagbbns (cliasscnre) were nnmbercd from
1 to 34.
The first ten BnlGks were raised in A.D. 132G by the enrolment of
captive Christian boys (Grecks, Sclavonians, and Armenians) ; the
remainder were subsequently raised in the.same manner.
The 101 Jamgats were forrncd from the Turkish irregular infantry
(YAyis): Tho 65th Jamh’at wae afterwards broken up for mis-
condnct,’and its number remained vacaut.
136 'THE TC'ilKISII JXSISSARIES.

The thirtj-four companies of Sagbins wcro raised by Sultan

Mur5d I1 from his falconers and huntsmen early i n the 15th ccntury,
and after this 110 frcsh companies were raised.
The Corps of Jinissaries w m called the Ojhk (Kitchen Range), from
thc frec rations granted by the Sultan.
The coinpauics werc usually called O r i or Oda (chamber), froin
thc barrack in which each compny WBS scpaiatcly lodged.
Strength am2 ~~tablisJinieirts.-Thc comprmr or Orta .originally con-
sisted of G Otlicers sn;-100 non-commissioned officers and men. This
nlwqs rcrnaincd tlic pcacc effective, but in modern times tlic strength
of the Orta on taking the ficld was raised up to 500 men, bjfdrafts
from the d j a m Ogli15ns and by thc rcscrvc sjstcm liereafter dc-
scribed.
Tho 1st Ortn of thc 13uluklis, in wliicli tho Sultan's nnmo was
enrolled as a private, \ras alwajs kept at a pcacc strength of 500
men.
The G4tlt Orta of the Jami'at, called tho " ZJgharjis," had n pencc
strength of 300 men.
' Thc GStli Ortn of the Jam$& callcd the c c Turnnjis," had a ~ ~ c n c o
strength of 150 I ~ C I I .
Tlic 71st Ortn of tlic Jami'nt, callcd the Samsdnjis," had a pcacc
strength of 200 men.
Theso four Ortas wcrc commanded .by General Ofiiccrs of. thc
Corps.
The number of Officersin the company i ~ a snever augmcntcd, hiit
remained tlic same in pcacc nnd in IKW.
The total strength of tlic corps in thc reign of Sultan Sulirnlin tlic
Magnificcnt w a s 20,000.men, giving 100 men per conipnriy. ny
augmentation f o r war, nnd for tho' serrico of tho garrisons '(ill thc
~ inscription of
frontiers, this number w q s raised to 40,000;. a n d , b the
Rcscrvc 'Janissnik the norniiinl strcugtli was miscd'to considcrablr
mom than 100,000 at the time'of tho dissolution of tho corps.
Corps Staf.-l'liu- Hcadqunrtcr Staff of tho Corps of Janissarim
rccciycd its f i n d orgmizntion from Sultan Sclitn Y5.vuz (the
Ferocious), tlic Conqucror of Egypt. Its Oficcrs wcrc callcd collec-
tively " Oj6k Aghdlari ". (Lords of tho Kitchen Iiangc), and cou-
sistcd of-
Tlic Jauisaary + I g h (Yaugichari &hi) or Captain-Geneid.. . Hc
ITZS gcrierally n Paslia of two horsc-tails and had a sent in
thc Divlin or Council of State.
'Tlic Kul . ICiAyb (Afnstcr of thc Slaws) or Licntcnxnt-Gcncml.
This OfIiccr rras ea ejicio Captain of tlic 1st Conqmiy of
Boluklis.
TE.9 8:igblin Blislii (Hecd Dog-Kecpcr), First ~Jlajor-Geiiernl;aud
titular cliicf of tho Division of SagbQns. .
Tho Z5gliarji Bdslii (Head Kccpcr:of the Pointers), Second Najor:
General and .ex ojieio .Captain of.thc .Glth.Company of tho
Jamd'ats.
The Sanisiliiji 'BSshi (He@ Keepor. of tkc .JIutiffs);.Tliird Ihijor-
 TIIE TURKISH JASISSARIES. 137
Gcncixl and e t oficio Captain of tho 71st Company of tho
Jamzats.
Tho Turnaji Udshi (Head Falconer), Fourth Major-General and
cz ojicio Captain of tho 68th Company of tho Jamb’ats.

Ttcso six Gcncral Officcrs formed tho Military Council or D i d ,

of tho corps.

’
Thirty-two Saihad Aphis (Lords of tlio IIarchcs), or Brigadier-
Gcncrals, commandcd the brigades of Janissarics in garrison in
tlic grcat fortresscs on tlie frontiers. Thcso wcro probably also
Captains of companies in tlicir command, but I can find no
certain iiiforniatiou on this point.
Forty YAJA I3cj-s (Infantry Colonels). Thcsc wcrc tlio holdcrs of
:ts many militaq- ficfs which wcre n t thc disposal of thc Jmissarr
Aglia, nnd ~ c r granted
c to tho General Officcrs and Captains of
tho corps a t liis discrction: the Officer accepting ono of these
ficfs -acatcd his offico in tho corps, obtainiug tho titlc of Y&i
130;). nud thc iigkt to carry a hoxsc-tail standard. Tho post
answercrl to that of R,egimcntal Coloncl in tho British a i d
Indian Armics, and its cmolumcnts corrcspondcd to our off-
rcckonings.
Thc crccutirc Offccrs of tho &h$S Staff a t tho corps hcadqnartcrs
\vi?rc :-
Tho hlusliir AgIiA, e t o#cio Captain of tho 25th Company of thc
nuluklis, which furnished the guards of tho Grand lTazir*sOffico
and l’alacc. Ho actcd as intcrmcdiary bctwecn tho latter oficial
and tlic corps.
Tlic ndsh Cliiush (Provost-Narshal or Scrpnt-at-Arms), m ojicio
Captain of tlic 6th Company of Duluklis, attaclicd to mlricli was
a picket band of Cliiushcs or Sergeants who acted as provosts
and cxccutioncrs of tho corps undcr his ordcrs.
Tho Kiiyi Ycri (Adsjutant-General), e z oficio Captaiu of tho 32nd
Corripany of tho Buluklis which furnished tho nards for the
corps headquarters. A11 ordcrs issucd by tho Agflli wcro signcd
by him.
Similarly all ordcis issued by tho Sarhad X @ ~ on S tho fronticrs
wcro signcd by tlio local Kit5j-i Ycri (Brigadc-Major) who was alwaj-s
Captain of onc of tho coinpanics in the garrison.
~t

Tlic Ucit-ul Nilji (Trcasurcr), ex ojicio Captain of thc lOlst

Company of tlic Jamh’ats.
Tho Ojik I m h (Corps Chaplain), e n oJ7cio Captain of tho 48th
Company of tlio JamA’nts.
The Yarigichnri Kdtibi (Clerk of tho Jnnissaries), a civilian o 5 i ~i a l
who had cliargo of tho records of the corps, pay rolls, ctc. Ho
had n company of Ydzijis (Scribes) at liis command. But all
ordcrs relating to military duty mcrc issncd lq tho Iiiijli Yeri.
TOL. S X S V I I . L
135 THE TURKISII JASISSSRIES.

Coqmiy Oficers.-Thc Officors of cach Ortn or conipany wcro :-

1. Tlic Chorbnji (Soup-gimr) ; or Captain.
2. Tho Oda-Bdshi ; or Lioutcnant.
3. Tho Vakil-i Khnrch ; or Qumtcrmaster.
4. Thc Bairakdir ; or Ensign.
6. Tlio BAsh Eski (Ancient) o r Bdsh Kar&lIukclii ; or Corporal.
lIaj?r.
G. Tho Ashchi-Brislii‘oE Hcad Cook; also callcd thc UstG or In-
st mctor.
111 cncli Orfn thcrc was also a Sakka Bishi (Hcad Watcr Carrier),
who rankcd with tlic compnuy officcrs.
Thc 1st and 5th Ortas of Bulnklis only had au cstra Olficcr, callcd
the Zcmbilji.
‘Ilic non-commissioncd officcrs of thc company wcrc Kar5 Kullnk-
chis or corporals ; I caunot find it on rccord how rnany thcrc wero iu
t1:c company.
Proviofion.-All promotion was from thc ranks : by sclcction from
thc priratcs and then bj- sciiiority to Oda-bhhi. A rncancy in tho
rank of Chorbnji or Captain was fillcd b~ selection from tho Oda-
bssliis, so that n Captain seldom commaridcd tho company in wlrich ho
rose. Tho Captains wcro promotcd or escliangcd indiscriminatoly
bct\vccn thc compniiies of tho tlircc divisions.
Tlic Captains vicrc promoted by seniority or sclection to tho rank
of Drigndicr-Gcncral and 3Iajor-Gcneml, and tlic Najor-Gcnerals by
scuiority up to the S a g h h Bdslii. Tho Kul I G y L (Licutcnant-
Gcncrnl) and the Aghn (Captain-Gcncral) m r c cspccially selcctcd by
tlro Sultan for thcir posts, and might bc outsidcrs who liad ncrcr
scrved in tlic corps. TLcsc wcro thc only exceptions to tho rulu that
proiuotion should a l \ ~ q - go s in thc corps.
Tho institution of tho Y$ii Beys, or Honorary Colonels, \\-as
clesigued to lxcp up a flow of promotion by making vacancies in thc
scnior grades.
Zarlges U i l d Distirictio,u.--Eacli compaur, bcsidcs its numbcr, had
a distinguishing ladgc (Nishbn) which was paintcd ovcr tho barrack
doors, on the lanterns, and on all the fnrniturc of tho company, cm-
broidcrcd on tho flag and tho canvas of the tcnts, and tattooed 0x1 tho
arms of oscry soldier of tho compan1.
These badges were gcncldly figures of animds and birds, wcapons,
anchors, cjprcss trees, 6;c.
Aliniad Jarid P6shh has in liis work given picturcs of the N i s h h s
of all tho Ortas.
31nny of tho companies wcrc also distinguished by somo titlo or
riicknamc, as nrc the regiments in Europcnn armics.
Thus tlio lst, 2nd, 3rd, Ath, stli, 29tli, 331-4 39th, 4Otli, 4Gth, %th,
5’ith,95tll,and 97th Companies of thc Jami’nts wcrc distinguishcd by
thc titlc Dan-ajis or Slruturlbns (Turkish and Persian respectively
for Camclccrs). They arc supposcd to kavo bccn raiscd originally
from the baggngo guards of thc Sultans. Of tkcsc tlic 1st and 95th
liave a camel for their badge.
 THE TURKISH JMIISSARIES. 130
Tilc 14t11,4%h, niid GGth Jamti’ats aro cntitlcd Khdseki or Royal.
TIlc 60th’ Glst, G2nd, arid G3rd Jami’ats merc thc Solalis or
SinistrnIs ; thcy formcd a bodx-guard for tlic Sultan, and wero so
called bccnusc they rchincd thcir old cquipmcnt ns archcrs, and
tllose who marched OILtlic riglit of the Sultan drom their bows with
tho left hand.
Thc 64th wcrc the Zigharjis (Kccpcrs of the Pointers) ; thcy had
a frill moon for thcir badge.
1lllo GStli mcrc tlic Turiiajis (Falconers) ; tlicj- had a crane for thcir
bdp.
The 71sL wcrc thc Samsdnjis (Keopers of thc Mastiffs); thoyhad a
mastiff for their badgc.
Thc 82nd Jam6’at were callcd thc Zumbarukckis (Arblastecrs), and
had a crossbow for thcir badgc.
Tllc 15th Jamd’nt has a lion for badge.
Thc lGtli and 18th Iiavc cannons.
The 24th has an opcn hand.
Thc N t h , End, and 93rd h v c scaling ladders.
Tho 11th lias a cypress tree; thc 21st has a powdcr flask; tho
~ 3 r dhas a muskct ; and thc 54th a bow and arrow.
Tlic 43rd and 79th h a m clcphnnts.
?%c 88th has an anclior.
Thc 8th and 31st Bnluks ham an anchor Ladgo; it is said that tho
1&x* company was raised originally for tho iuarinc ser\-icc.
Tho 19,th, 29th, 4Mi, and 57th have cypress trccs ; some one, somo
two, solno a bird porching atop.
The 7th and 58th ham palm trees.
Thc 13th lias a lion undcr a palm trcc.
Tlic 4Gth has a hntcllct; tho 60th a scaling laddcr; tho 56th a \yap
gallcy.
Tho 45th Bultlk is singulnr i n liavirig a motto in lieu of n badge. It
lirs “ ’Ala Allah Tamakliul ” (“ Our trust is in God ”).
Tho 66th Buldk Has tkc titla Ta’blirn Khinaji (Gymnasts).
Thc 33rd Orta of Sngb5ns 110s tlic titlc of Avjis (IIarksrnexi).
Pay.-Tlic pny of all tho paid troops was calculated by thc day, but
was only issiicd qnortcrly. The pay issued a t thc end of tlic quartci.
containing tho months 3Iuhnrmm, Snfar, and Rabiul A\rw.al iyns
callcd from their initial Icttcrs “3lnsar,~’and tho issues for tllc
sccond, third, and fourth quarters wcrc similarly respcctircly nick-
named Rajaj, Haslinn, nud Laznz.
Thc quarterly pay was issued with great ccrcmony a t thc Porto i n
Constantinoplc, at thc Pasha’s treasury in thc provincial towns.
Muster rolls and pay abstracts werc prepared and carefully checked
bcforchnnd. Thc pa^ was issued to the OfficcrB, who carried it to
tho bai*mclis,arid paid tho men.
Pac-similes and translations of old Janissary p3y rolls arc given in
-4hmnd J d d Pishd’s book. Thc amount of the pay is in tho figures
callcd Sidqnt or Raqam which arc still used in l’crsin and India in
commercial timsactions, but are now obsolctc in Turkoy.
It is very di5icult to cstimatc thc amount of pay on account of tho
L2
140 THE TURKISH JANISSARLES.

difference of thc coinagc, the decrcsse i n tlic d u o of moncy, and the

continual debasement of tlic Turkish cnrrcncy. The General Officers
of tlio Janissarics received liandsome allowances called I‘ Arpnlik ” or
forage allowanec in addition to thc pay of their rank.
The pay of tho privato on first enlistment was 1 nsper a day, and
was gradually a n p c n t c d till a v&mn of distainguishedservice might
draw 40 nspers a day. The Janissary privates m r o diridcd into three
classes for thcir pay ; “ Kueli&s,” or young soldicrs ; “ Amalmbnda,”
or vcterans ; and Oturalis,” or scdcntarics.
Each of thcso threc classes was again sub-di\rided into grades with
differing rates, much like the sjstem of good conduct pay i n our
Indian Natiro Army.
In English moncy tlic pay of ~1 Janissary might be said to vary from
B farthing to 10d. a dny.
A cash chest was kept in.encli company, and stoppages were made
from thc men for articles of dress and equipment, and for extras for
tho messing, accounts with the men under these headings being kept
by tho Quartermaster and tho cook. Tkc estates of deeeoscd
Janissarics went to thc company chest.
Dise~j~Ziiae.-Themilitary cod0 of tho corps of Janissaries was con-
cisely comprised in fourteen articles. Disciplino was maintained by
tho following authorized punishmcnts :-
1. Imprisonment in barracks for several days awardablo by any
Officcr.
2. Blows with a stick, np to thirty-nine, awardable by the Captain
o r Lieutenant and inflicted by the latter in person.
3. FIogging up to scrcnty-nino lashes, awardable by a Gcncid
Oflicer, and inflictcd by Chduslies.
4. Imprisonment for n long period or for life in a cnstlc used as a
Janissary prison, by ordcr of tho Janissary &h6. ~

5. Dismissal from tlic corps by ordcr of the Jnnissary Aghh:;.

6. Death by strangling or decapitation, by ordcr of thc Jniiissary
dgM, subject to confirmation by tho Khzi dskar or Army
Judge.
The execution took place privately in the mstle, and IIgun ~ 1 1fired
s
to annoiinco that tlic sentencc liad becn arricd out.
Corporsl punislimcnt was inflicted by tho bastinado on thc solcs of
tho feet in tho case of Sipjhis; on the breech, in tlic case of the
Jnnissaries and other dismounted troops.
Thc punishment of tho stick, as uscd until latcly in tlic Austrian
Army, was probably borrowed from the Turkish practiec.
Tho masirnum number of thirty-nine and soventy-nino laslics remind
us of the Jewish “ forty stripes smc ono.”
Dress.--Eiery Janissary receivcd annually from tlic State 10 yds.
of lilnc cloth, a piccc of cotton for thc turban, and a piece for tho
shirt ; also a pair of red leathe? shoes. The regimental pnrndc liead-
dress was also issued by tlic State. It \\-as a high cjlindrical cap of
whitc fclt, with a copper plume case in front, and a strip of white
felt hangiiig’down bchind to the shoulder. This was said to bc in
 TIIE: TURKISH JASISSARIES. %41
imitation of tlic slccre of thc Saint Hnji Bektash, d o strctchcd his
arm Over tho Iicnds of thc fiant rank whcn Iio consccratcd tlic corps
to tho scrrico of ~slnnl.
~ 1 diffcrcnt
~ 0 ranks and offices wcrc disti::guishcil bj- diffcrcntlj
sllnped caps nnd turbans, somc of thcm f:mtastic in thc cstrcmc.
Tho rank of thc &noid Oficcrs nnd Captains was dcnoted by thc
f&ion of tlicir plumcs, as d l as by tlic slinpo of their head-
drcsscs.
llllc cads werc long skirtcd, and WCPC cut in n particular fashion
for tllc dircrcnt ranks.
Tlic Gcncml Officcrs worc fur-trimmed robes.
On tlic march thc long skirts of the coat mcrc kiltcd by bcing
tucked through thc “ knmarbnnd,” mhich wns of silk o r linen, striped,
with fringed cnds.
Tho Karaknllukchis (Corporals) worc 1icav~-girdles of coppcr
n-hich, nccording to Baron do Tott, “ Ivcigh 15 Ibs., and with i t thcso
Oficcrs m a r knock down and kill any Jnnissary.”
Thc bluo cloth of Salonica, issucd by the S h t c, wns mndc into
wide trousers, or “ shnlwar,” worn by all ranks of the Janissarics.
Tho mcn gcncrally woro rcd shoes ; thc OlXccrs more long Loots ;
thoso of tlio Jam5‘ats had ello om 1catlic.r boots ; the OMcers of tho
Dulliks wore black boots, nnd tliosa of tho Sagbdns rcd boots.
Tlic dslichis (Cooks) woro bhck lcathcr drcsscs studdcd witli
plaques ant1 knobs of coppi. or silrcr, and carried largc knives and
cntlasscs as cmblems of thcir onicc. On Statc pnrndcs tho hshchi
wns snpportcd by o. Karnkullukchi on each sidc, to enablo him to
sustain tho wciglit of tlin mctnl oriinmcnts with which 110 \qas
loaded.
Thc dress of tlic Jnnissnrics, likc all tlic otllcr institutions of tlio
corps, sccms to Iiavc nltcrcd in nocsscntinl particular during tlic mholc
pcriod of fir0 centnrics through which it maintaincd its corpor:itc
existcncc.
’ Platcs of Jnnissarics, of nll ranks and grades, menring tlicii. dis-
tinctivc costumes, nrc givcii in tho Album pnblishcd with Ahmad
Javkl Pkhi’s “ Histo g of tlic Janissarics.”
The Jnnissary non-commissioncd olficcrs nnd privatcs worc only
mnstacliios, the rest of thcir face bcing clcan shavcn. Tho Ofliccrs
wore Lcards.
A11 rncn, wlicn transferred to tlic Otnrak, or scdcntary cstnblish-
mcnt, wcrc allowcd to grow their bcards.
Arms and Eqii+nmit.-Tlic a r m wcrc n musket, n sabrc, and a
yataghan, or long knifc, cliicfly used for cutting- off heads. This
knifc wns tho 0111~-ma p o n carricd bj- tlic soldicr in timc of peace,
rind kopt by him in barracks. Tlic other arms and tlio ammunition
wcrc lodgcd in mngazincs, under tlic charge of tlic Corps of Jcbijis,
and ncrc only issucd to the Jnnissnrics wlicn procccding on scrvicc.
Tlic nmrnunition wns carried in n ball-big and n powdcr-horn.
Thc lcad was issucd to tho men in bars, nud thcy cast their o w n
bullcts to fit tlicir muskets, which mcrc of nll kinds of calibrc.
In time of peaco the Jnnissarics cawicd long stavcs, and thcir
142 THE TURKISH JASISSARIES.
patrols, which acted as police in all their garrisons, had no other
weapons.
Quarters-Tho Eeadqnarters of tho corps a t Constnntinoplc was
called tho Agh6 KBpdsi, and consisted of D mansion for the dgh,i‘s
official residence, 8 hall for th??- U i r i n or Council of the Corps,
oficcs, and record rooms, and quarters for guards and orderlies.
Thero vero two ranges of barracks at Constnntinoplc, the Es&
Odalar (old barracks) and tho Yangi Odalar (ncm barracks). Each
company had a separato barrack, n long xiarrow wooden building,
with a raised shelf o r days (sofa) runniug down ono side, on which
tho men sat and slept.
They wero lighted by lanterns, for which candles wen? issued by
tho State.
Tho company prison was i n the kitchen, under the charge of tlic
cook.
The Captain did not lire in bamcks; the Lieutenant (Oda-bishi)
was the Senior Oficcr who li-icd under the samc roof as the men.
IIc was, in fact, tlio “companr father,” tho Chorbaji or Captain
ha-iing more the position of n Field Officcr i n European Armies.
Tho Chorbajis of the J a m h t s wero mounted on pamdc; but tliosc of
tho Bulnklis and Sagbhns were not allowed to ridc in tho presence of
a General Officer of the Corps.
Tho Janissarics in nll tho towns xyliich wero permanently gar-
risoned by tho Corps mere lodged h r companies in ranges of
bnnacks similar to those in tho capital.
Tho Ortas of Janissarics had permailerit lieadquarters at Constanti-
noplc, or a t tho grcnt fortrcsscs of tho frontiers of the Empire. Of
the 200 Ortas or Jnmh’ats of YByBs only eleven viere statioiicd in tlio
capital. These m r o tho 30th, 59th, tho Goth, Glst, G3rid, arid G3rd,
which four Ortas furnished companies of Solaks, or Archer Guards
of tho Sultan, the 64th Zagharjis, the 71st Samsrinjis, the 73rd, 94th,
and lOlst O h s .
Of the G1 Ortns of the Bulnklis, 30 m-ero stationed in Constanti-
noplo. Tho 1st Orta was at t h o capital, tho 2x14 3rd, and 4th mcrc
in tho prorinces, tho 5th and 6th at the capital, &c.
Of the 34 Ortas of Sagbsns, only tho 33rd Amjis (Marksmen) mas
permanently stationed at tho capital.
Ahmad Javiid P;ish:i has given thrco distribution lists of tho
Janissarics in their rarions stations, ono dated tomwds tho exid of
tho 17th century; another of tho Fear A.D. 1723, and another of
1750.
I n tho first list thero ari 19 Ortw, numbering 3,800 men, at
Baghdad, and 8 Ortas, with 1,200 men, at Dassorah; B Ortas, with
1,800 men, at Oczakoff ; 14 Ortas, with 3,600 men, at Kaminick, in
Poland; and 31 Ortas, with 4,500 mcn, in the island of Crcte; thcso
1 s t two places were then recent conquests of tho Ottomans.
I n the list of A.D. 1723 tho largest Janissary garrisons nro Widdin
and Bclgradc, with 5,000 mcn each, Baghdad with nearly as many,
Bender with 4,000, Choczim and Kars with 2,000, Ocznkoff, Van,
Brailn, and tho island of Creto with 1,500 each. Tliero aro marly
 THE TURKISH JASISSARIES. 143
gsirrisons wlicrc only a singlo Orta is stationcd, with an effective of
less than 100 men.
Thus in thc list of A.D. 1750 thcrc arc 74 Jnnissaries in garrison a t
Batoum and 71 a t Jcrusalcm.
Tho Senior Officer of the Janissarics in a station which was not thc
headqnartcrs of .P Sarhnd dghd (l3i*igadicr-Gcncral) had tlic local
titlo of Sirddr (Commandant).
Tho ,Tariissaries serving :it tho permanent stations of tlicir Ortas
wcro callcd Yerli-kuli (territorial troops) : thosc detachcd for tciu-
pomry garrison wcrc tcrmcd Knubntji (mexi ou duty) ; tiicy wcrc
rclicrcd onco in_tlirco yczis, or oftcrier.
Tho Sarhad &his of tho Janissaries wcrc cntrustcd with the kejs
of the grcat fortrcsscs garrisoncd by thcir men.
StaiidarJs and Itlsigniu.-The Grand Standard (Lira) of the Corps
of Janissaries was mhito with tho dcrico of a crcsccrit arid donble-
pointed scixcitar cmbroidcrcd in gold ; thc flag (Bairnk) of cadi Orta
was rcd with tho snmc dovicc in addition to tlic h’ishdn of thc Ortn.
Eacli company had two sonp kettles, which served as its P;dladia,
and marked the headqnartcrs nnd rallying-point of tlio compmj-.
If a company lost its kcttlcs in action, nll its Officers m r e cnsbicred,
and it was rc-formcd with a fresh set of Officers. Tlic first overt act
of mutiny was always thc onrturning of tho soup-kettles.
In tho companics of Sagbins thc soldicrs usccl to carry tlic wocdcn
spoon witli which they ato thcir soup stuck in thc plume-caso in front of
tlicir caps, and their Captains woro a soup-lodlo instead of nploiuc,froin
whoncc they had tho nickname of Khshuliclii BJslii, or Chief of tho
Ladle. Silvcr badges, to bc morn in tlic cap or turban, rierc given to
Turkish soldiers for acts of uncommon bmrcry. Sabirs and pelisses
of honour wcro given to Oficers somctimcs individually for acts of
vdour and dcmtiou, sometimes collcctivcly for a-snccessfnl h t t l c o r
campaign.
JIetirod of EizZist~~~ciit.-T1io Janissarics wcro recruited in four
iiiffercnt mays :-
1. l3y transfer from tho dcpBt companics of Ajam Oghlins (foreign
boys, recruits).
2. By transfer from the irregular infantry, ‘Azabs, Lcvcnds, kc.,
ns a reward for distinguished or mcritorious service.
3. By cnlistment of Turks,and of tho sons of Janissarics, direct.
4. By enrolment of men as Ynngichari Yamdlii (Reserve Jiinis-
sarics), who neither scrvcd with tho kcttlcs nor drew pay or
rations in timo of pcacc, but who could be called up to nu!;rncnt.
tho strength of tho company in timo of war. This mctliod of
augmenting tho strength was introdnccd in tlio carlr part of
the sevcntccnth century, and had a fatal effect on thc chn-
rncter of thc corps. Tlicse Reservo Janissaries, though pcr-
forming no dutj-, cnjoyed all tho prcstigo and privilege of
Jnnissaries, being esempt from civil jurisdiction, and amenable
only t o the captain of thcir company. These latter cnrollcd
as many Hcscrvo mcn as thoy could t o enhancc thcir 0n-n im-
I44 TKE TURKISH JAhTSShRIES.

portancc, and cvcn Paslias cnrollcd tlicmsclrcs :IS Janissaries

to gain tlie support of such R numerous and p”rcrfnl body;
for the intense esprit tlc corps mbic1:-prerailcd in tho Janis-
sarics, both in the corps and in cacli scparatc companj-,
gericrally cnsnrcd tho causo of the individual bcing mado the
CBUSC of the corporation. Thus the body of Janissarics was by
dcgi-ces converted from a military corps into a political part1.

The Pamjli tattooed the h’islibn of t h companj- 110 bad selectca

upon his arm, and rcccived n “Sofa Tazkira,” or certificate of enlist-
ment from tlie Captain. Ahmad J a r i d Pdshd lias gircn -an example
of ouc of these curious doeumcnts, wliich lrcathcs n spirit of csalted
fannticism mixed with military pride. It announces after n long
prologue that htnhammad Ataulla Effendi, son of hbdur Rahm5n
Bey, lias placed his coat upon the sofa of the 19th Crtn of Bulnklis,
and become thcir companion. It is scalcd with n scal bcaring the
numbcr 19 nnd a cyprcss trcc, tho dcricc of tho company, and is
signcd Sayyid IIasaii Usta.
Under this rcscrvc systcm, some of tho most populnr companies
showcd from thrcc to four thousand nicn on thcii. rolls a t tlic timc of
tlic dissolution of tho C O I ~
The ceremony of cnlistment of L: new rrcrnit took plncc i n prcscncc
of thc nssemblcd company. Tlic statutcs of tlic corps wcrc rcnd out to
tlic rccruit, nud tlic oath of fidelity WRS ndministcred ; he was invcstcd
with the cap arid coat of a Janissary, and tlic Odn U5slii p r o him n
h a r t 1 cuff as an earnest of discipline, a t tho sum timc liailiug him
as “Yoldish” (comradc).
A Jaiiissary might bc dismisscd from thc corps, and his namo
struck off tlie rolls, for flagrant misconduct, 01. for non-appearance at
musters. When a Jauissary mas publicly cxpclled from tho corps,
thc strip of facing cloth which was worn on thc collar of the coat
was cut off in presence of the compmny.
Wlieu unfit for further service from ngo or infirmit7, n Janissary
was transferred to the Oturnks or scdcntary cstablishmcnt, qnd con-
tinued to draw par and provision till his death.
Tlic Janissaries were at first condemned to cclibncr for life; .but
this rule, so repugnant to hlusalman custom and habit, mns not long
enforced. Whcn a Janissary obtained permission to many, lie was
dIo\vcd to reside out of barracks, and rcsigned his right to rations.
Tlic men 60 crcused gcncmlly became shopkccpcrs or artisans in thc
toms.
The sous of marricd Janissaries werc carly ciilistcd into their
fathrr’s companies, and it is said that in the latcr dnys of the decay
and corrnption of tho Ottomnn military sjsteni, ttioj were often
entcrcd on the rolls,and d r c r p3y as Janisaaries while still infants in
nrms.
The orphan sons of dcccascd Janissnrics wcrc rationcd from tho
surplus rations of thc company, and called Fazlakhwirh (crumb-
caters). Whcn old enoqgh thcy w r o entercd into thc corps of
Rccriiit-boys (Ajam Oghlnns).
 ‘THE TURKISH Jh?;ISSARIES. 145
Artillery (Topjis).-!l’liis was tlie first corps of artillcry soldicrs
CTer raised. It mas formcd in the first half of thc fiftccQJli century,
about n hundred years aftcr the first institution of tlic Janissarics.
This corps \\-as commanded by a, Captain-G$ncral, ccillcd tllc Topji
Bhslii (Master Gnnncr). It \\-as organized m companics or ortas,
like thc Janissarics, and the discipline, pay, rations, OC., WCFC siluilar
to thosc of tlie othcr corps of p i d troops.
Ordimice Storekeepers (Jebrjis)..*-This corps was commanded b~ a
Captain-Gencral, called the Jebcp I3:ishi (Head Storckecpcr). It was
orgnnizcd in companies or ortas, the comlmiics being fieparatcly
nunibcrcd in tn-o divisions, and called JamS’ats and BulGks rcspcct-
ivcly, as in thc Janissarics.
The Jebcjis Itad chargo of tlie Arsenal (Jcba Klidna) a t Con-
stnntinoplc, arid in a11 the great fortrcsscs on thc frontiers.
Tlicir orgnnizntion, pnj-,kc., was similar to that of the Janissarics,
of whom thcr wero closc allies.
Thcrc was bad blood bctwc.cn tlic Topjis and Janissar-ics, and a
stariding feud bctwccn the lattcr and thc Sipdhis, which soinctitncs
even brokc out on tlic lrattlcfield, in face of tlic cncmy, and often
dclugcd tho streets of Constantinoplc with blood.
Artillery Brirers (Top drcibajis).-‘l’his scpnratc C o ~ pof
s nrircrs for
the ~ ~ r t i l l c and
r y Train was institutcd very car19 atnorig tlic Turks,
anothcr instancc of tlio genius for military organization which dis-
tinguishcs tlic cnrly history of thcir nation, nnd which has so cntircly
dcscrted tliem in latcr times.
This corps mustcrcd only n fcw liundrcd men, aiid as commnnclcd
by n Captaiu-General (Top Aribnji Bkhi).
Boaibardiers (Iilrtriydrujis).-Tliis corps w a s raiscd towards tho
cnd of tlic scvcntccntli ccntnrr, mhcn thc Turks first Lecamc
acqunintcd with tho nsc of mortars ( K h u r n - p h ; lit. piece of a
jnr).
It was a scpnrntc corps from the Topjis (Gunncrs), and was com-
mandcd by an olfccr, called Khump5i.nji Bdshi. I t s strength was
gradually raiscd from a few hundred to 2,000 men.
Suppers and JIi?iers (Laghh,jis).-This corps nlso was formed at
tlie latter cud of the seventeenth ccntnry, whcii tho Turkish nrms
mcrc coiifrontcd bj- tho skill of Enropean exiginecrs, traincd in tho
school of Vanban and Coliorn. It was commanded by the Laghdmji
B6slii. It ncwr attained to nny degrcc of cficiencx, ou-ing to the
want of scientific education among tlie Turks.
All the abovc corps had their fixed headqunrtcrs at Constantinoplc,
and their Captains-Gencial wcre includcd among the Alilitary Cliicfs
of tho Portc, and had the riqlit to prescrit thcrnsclvcs a t tlic Grand
Vazir’s IcvCes. Their rcgulatiom and institutions conformed gcner-
ally to those of thc Janissciries.
flecrzrits (Ajain Oghldiis or Foreign Boys).-This corps was cstahlislied
nt tbc first institution of the Janissary Corps, to train and furnish
rccruits to the Inttcr; arid it subscqncntly supplicd rccrnits t o all
the nlore-mcntioncd disrnountcd corps of paid troops.
’ l f e t h o d of Recruitim~.-Tlio Ajam Oglillins were Christian boys
146 TILE TURKISH JAKISSARIES.

mado captivcs in war, or childrcn of R’hyds (Christian subjccts of

tho Porto), tnkcn as n liuman tribnto from thek’parcnts. A t pcriods
of from fir0 to scrcn p r s , Jauissary prcssgangs werc organized
throughout tho Empirc, undcr tlrc supervision of tw Jlajor-Gcnerals
of tho Corps, one for thoEuropean, and one for tho Asiatic prorinccs.
A prcssgnng, under tho command of II Janissary Captain, Tisited all
tho towns and villages of cacli provinrc, lcvjing a tributc of cvcry
tcnth mnlc cliild on tho Christian population.
Tho provincial Go-xrnors and Elidis nssisted thcm in making the
lcvy. Tho finest and stoutest boys, ngcd from twelvo to fiftccn, m r c
choscn, and were drircn likc shccp to Constantinoplc, Adrianoplc,
and Bronssa, whcrc t h y wcro formed into companies, and lodged in
larmacks likc thoso of t h e Jnnissarics. Tlicy m r c circumcised, givcu
3Iusalman namcs, and instructed in tho faith and practicc of Islbm.
They \vcrc pmctiscd i n gymnastic and military cscrciscs, and wcro
cmploycd during their novitintc as lnbourcrs on tho Impcrinl cstatcs,
as hemcrs of wood and drawers of .water for thc Sultdn’s Scraglio,
as workmen in thc dockyards and arscnnls, &c. Thcir novitiato or
probation lasted scwn ycnrs ordinarily, and thcn t h y w r c \!inftcd
intolthc diffemnt military corps.
Tho Bosthjis, or Sulthn’s P:irk Rangers, got tho first pick of them ;
tho Topjis (Artillcry) lrad ncxt choice; all that rcmnincd were curollcd
in the Jebcjis and the Janissnrics.
0rgairi:ation.-Tho Ajnm Oglildns wcrc organizcd in companies
liko tho Janissarics; tho number of tho compnnics sccms to linvc
varied from timc to time, for it is givcn very diffcrcntly by diffcrcnt
authois, some putting it as high as sixty, othcrs as low as thirty.
Tho companies werc nnmbcrcd on two lists, ns J3rllriks and Jaxn:i’ats
rcspcctivcly. T h y wcro also dividcd into two brigades, Ihimili and
Anatoli (European and Asiatic), according to tho nationality of tho
boys.
Tho strcngth as wcll as tho nnmbcr of tho companies is rcry
variously givcn.
The companics do not rrppcar to havo had badgcs or flags.
OHccm-Thc corps of rccrnits ii-yus olliccrcd from tlic Jnnissarics.
It was cornmandcd by the Istambol Aghisi (Constantinoplc Lord),
who rankcd ncxt to the Licutcnant-General, and nborc thc Bhjor-
Gcnerals of tho Corps of Janissarics.
Tho Europcan and Asiatic Dripdcs of Recruits wcrc commandcd
b two Ofticcrs, called rcspcctivcly Rdmili Aghdsi and Anntoli
Kgliiai.
These thrco General Offccrs werc Captains of compnnics of Ajam
Oghlbns.
Thc Kul Oghli Ddsh Chiush (Provost of thc Slavc Children) was j
Corps Adjutant.
Each company had three Officcrs.
1. Thc Chorbaji, or Captain. Tlicsc wcro tho junior Captains of
tho Corps of Janissarics, and \rcm transfcrrcd awarding to
seniority, ns vacancies occurred, from “Ajami Y@b Bashi”
 T I E TURKISE J:IXISSARIES. 147
(Captain of Recruits) t o Khpu Y6yi Bhski (Captain. of.- Janis-
saries).
2. Thc Maidiln KiAyi (Superintendent of Paradc), tho Linutcnant
and Instrnctor of tho cornpiny.
3. Tho Kdpfiji (Gate-kecpcr). This officer probably cscrciscd tho
functions of a company scrjcant-major.
micro was a Secretary for tho corps of Ajam Oghldns, who kcpt t h e
rcgistcrs and accounts.
b f e r i o 7 Ecomny.-Thc Ajam OgZlldns rcceivcd both pay and
&ions. In Constantinoplc they wero lodged in s scparatc block of
wooden barracks, called tho Ajam Ogli1:in~ZCishlasi(recruits' wintcr
quarters).
Thoy wcrc dressed in rcd pointed caps and red jackcts with a clcft
in the shoulder.
Aftcr tho tribntc-levy of Chrisbian children mas allon-cd to fall into
disnso towards tho end of thc Eovcntccnth centui*r, tho raison d'c'trc
of the Corps of Rccrnits ceased t o exist, but it mas still maintained,
and was filled by tho children of Janissaries, and by tho enlistment
of Musalman boys.
Wiuter-carriers (Sak7;as). This corps furnished water-carriers to
ovcry company of thc paid troops, like thc Bliisiis and Packallis who
attend on our troops in Indin. Thcsc mcn wcro in cach companr
commandcd by a Sakks Bbshi, mko mnkcd with tho Officcrs of tho
company, and was nllomed to wear D beard.
In tho Album of Plntcs issued lvith tho 1st Book of Ahmad
Javfid Pdshh's History, tho Snkkn is represented wearing n, cap of
pcculiar shapc, and a leathern jacket with n stamped pattern and
metal ornaments on it.
Tho second category or unpaid troops constituted tlw great majority
of tho militaiy forces of tho Stato.
Tho bulk consisted of horscmcn holding fiefs, or having their main-
tenanco charged upon thc land on condition of thcir rendering military
Bcrvicc, dividcd into thrcc classes :-
Sandjak Boys (lords of the standard).
Za'ims (holdcrs of largo fiefs).
'i'imirlis (holders of small fiefs).
Thc Mamelnko Beys of Egypt ranked among thc Sanja Beys of
the Empire.
Tho Akinjis wero horsemcn who neither kcld fiefs nor drcw pay;
but who served for tlic plnndcr that they could obtain.
Tho Tartars of tho Crimes servcd as a n d i a r y liorsc under their
own regulations nnd eommandcrs.
The S6rija (light horse) and S n g b h (chasscnrs) wero tho horse
and foot p a r d s of tho Pishis, who paid them out of tho provincial
revenues.
The Dtllie (madcaps) and Gundis (hussars) mcro cavalry troops,
distinguished by pcculinrities of dress and equipmcnt.
The Charkas mcro Circassian mercenaries, and tho MaghraLis
Moorish ones.
14s TUE TURKISH JASISSARIES.

Tlic Aznbs (bnchclors) fornied tho ruck of tho Torkisli irregular

infantrj. Tlic Aznb Bgha \\-as onc of tho military chicfs of the
Yortc.
Tlic Lcrcnds wcrc an irregnlar corps, rliich scrvcd as marines in
tho fleet. .Tliey wcrc under tlic ordcrs of thc .Kipitfin Pnsha (Lord
Iligh ddmirnl), and wcrc tlic only dcscription of troops iu thc
Ottornnii Empire among whom Christians werc pcrmiitcd to scrvb.