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Early formation of the Ottoman Janissary Corps

Type Object Region Ottoman Empire Time 1320–1826

The early formation of the Ottoman Janissaries (Yeniçeri) was the standing infantry core of the Ottoman Empire from the mid-14th century to 1826, rec…

Timeline

  1. c. 1321–1330Bursa · TurkeyIn the 1320s, Ottoman sultan Orhan organized Christian youths captured in war into a standing infantry unit (kapıkulu öncüleri), who received Islamization and military training, laying the organizational and manpower model for the later Janissary corps.
  2. 1360–1453Edirne · ThraceUnder Murad I the devshirme levy system was regularized; the Janissaries were garrisoned around the capital by regiment (orta), with uniform dress, discipline, and firearms training, becoming the main infantry of Ottoman siege warfare.
  3. 1453–1600Istanbul · MarmaraAfter the fall of Constantinople the Janissaries' numbers and regiments grew sharply, they intervened in palace politics and enjoyed salary privileges, while maintaining musket square tactics as the central assault force in Balkan and Middle Eastern campaigns.
  4. 1600–1826Istanbul · MarmaraThe Janissaries' discipline slackened, they resisted military reforms and mutinied repeatedly; in 1826 Mahmud II used artillery to storm the Janissary barracks, carried out mass executions and abolished the formation, replacing it with a new regular army.

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