Performances modern Europeans about the Ottoman Empire, as a rule, are characterized by a set of vague images drawn from ancient novels and their film adaptations.Harems, odalisques, curved swords, and, of course, the famous Turkish Janissaries.Our fellow citizens are also aware that the past did not feel pity to anyone, because the hero of the famous novel I. Ilf and Petrov Ostap Bender.He called himself the son of turetskopoddannogo, but given the nature of the adventurous character.this statement may well be questioned.So who were these terrible warriors who formed the bulwark and the elite Sultanov host?
Emir Orhan and his new army
believed that the army of Janissaries were created in the second half of the XIV century by the Ottoman Sultan Murad the first as a special kind of the armed forces, or, in modern language, special forces.But this event was preceded by a kind of prehistory, referring to the 20-th years of the same century.
Nothing in the military is not made just for a whim.The motivation for the creation of a special body was the poor discipline in the armed forces of the Emir Orhan, who in 1326 managed to occupy the city of Bursa, surpassing the Byzantine Empire.The victory was achieved, but as a true leader, Orhan analyzed the causes of large losses and many other unpleasant moments that have arisen in the course of the battle, and came to the conclusion that the Turks are fighting is bad, and the success has contributed more even worse preparation of the enemy than the prowess and ability to ownarmy.It needs a reform required a new type of soldier.Hence the name («yeni» - new, «ceri» - Men).Thus begins the story of the Janissaries in the twenties of the XIV century and the founder of the Turkish special forces is considered to be the emir Orhan.
Why Turks came
Any special forces equipped with selected soldiers.In the days of the sultans and emirs of the citizens of the Ottoman Empire were the people free and prosperous, plenty of previously captured territories, exploitation and pillage of the occupied areas of the Balkans created the conditions for a fairly hearty and carefree life, relaxing effect.The Turks are not very willing to fight, to die heroically did not seek, and even more difficult to talk about the need to use harsh measures against the tribesmen in the case of riots or other civil unrest.And Orhan appealed to the international experience.He needed obedient servants, loyal and ruthless.If the Turks can not be established, then you should dial nokors foreigners.These were the bodyguards of the IX century Persian and ancient Indian guards Raja.
Azab bachelor
first attempt to create punitive SWAT was the formation of body Azab staffed taken captive Christians from Bulgaria, Albania, Serbia and other Ottoman troops occupied territories.Soldiers are under enemy flags in voluntary-compulsory, on pain of death.They were not allowed to marry, so they are called Azab (Turkish - bachelors).
from distant history, including the latest, it is known that the units, recruited from collaborators are not characterized by high combat capability.At best, they can be used as an auxiliary police occupation, but trust the responsible sections of the front does not, they either run or immediately to go over to the side of their countrymen, so far, and most likely will be forgiven.
Orhan judged wisely.Adult prisoners are not suitable.Ottoman Janissaries (new soldiers) do not have to remember the relationship, forget his father and mother, then they will be infinitely loyal to the empire to him personally.They need to raise and educate.Who is it required?Children!
Training and education
on residents captured Ottoman lands in the 30 years of the XIV century, in addition to the usual taxes and duties, laid another duty, perhaps the worst.The most strong and savvy boys 12-16 years old were taken from their parents and taken to Turkey.Now they are waiting for a completely different, not the fate of a peasant.
importance of ideological training was recognized by the military leadership of the Ottoman Empire.Future Turkish Janissaries received a new name, adopted Islam and took the initial adaptation in families where they mastered the Turkish language perfectly, simultaneously forgetting the native language and culture.Then there was a military school.
Military school in Adrianople
At age 21, trained, educated in the spirit of devotion to the young man arrived at the main place of deployment corps of the Janissaries.It was the city of Adrianople, and here took the oath ceremony.Took the oath of allegiance dervishes perform the functions of both clergy and political officers.
Preparation Ajami (beginners) included fencing lessons, shooting, tactical skills.Classes are held on the group system, training unit ranged from 10 to 15 students, the future of the Janissaries.This grueling training lasted six years.
But the drill is not limited.
This warrior must know not only the military.Wide horizons and developed intellect - these are the qualities that should be possessed true Janissaries.This makes it possible to accept non-standard solutions in a critical situation.Knowledge of the Qur'an brings to Allah a warrior, so theology was in military school, one of the most important subjects.A separate important subject was the Christian bogouchenie.Classes on jurisprudence, literature and foreign languages are also included in the program of intensive training.
Discipline
In medieval Europe, people liked to spend their leisure servicemen in feasts and drinking bouts.The life of a soldier in an era of constant wars and government redistribution was usually short-lived, and the future victims of war, wanted to take her still on the ground, until the soul flew to heaven.European travelers, who saw Adrianople barracks, a place of learning "new forces", surprised the harsh conditions of detention of the Janissaries.It was unusual, the students are always calm, unruffled, carried out all the time, except maybe sleep in drill and study.On the cards or dice, they have not even heard, alcoholic libations were a religious taboo.Iron discipline, patience and stoic ascetic simplicity of life - these are the conditions in which brought a true warrior.Based on the stories of the Habsburg envoy background Busbecq, happened in Istanbul, even in Europe, the myth of the invincibility of the Ottoman Empire.
Customs, traditions and uniforms
addition to celibacy, in force until 1556, there were other restrictions, such as wearing a beard, it could only release the officer - the commander of the Janissaries.In each division, called ARCOM, has traditionally been a cauldron (cauldron), of which personnel eaten cooked their own food.He was regarded as a kind of symbol and amulet and held in an exemplary purity.A sign of discontent or rebellion (it happened) was inverted cauldron.Uniforms changed from century to century, but at its core was a Janissary Corps infantry, equipped with light armor.The clothes of the Turkish special forces and the Zaporozhye Cossacks had a lot in common.Wide trousers (shalwar) thanks to its free will cover not snare in the battle, and "Burke" (with cap Shlyk) jammed horsehair and serves as protection of the head, like a hat.Mace and scimitar janissary completed the warlike appearance.
reforms
so well prepared militarily and highly intellectual class could not long tolerate the role assigned to him a blind tool in the hands of the sultan.The trick is combined with the power unjustly humiliated causes to fight for power.The commander of the Janissaries, using privileges at every opportunity to perform the powers pushes viceroys Sultan, expressing claims for more freedom and authority.
In the XVI century seemed inviolable traditions are changing, in the body of the monarch chosen servants begin to take ethnic Turks.Despite the modest salaries paid once every 3-4 months, the service in the army special forces is considered prestigious.This contributes to the high quality of education and increasing social impact of "new men."In addition, upon retirement superannuation Janissaries get unlimited career opportunities.During a reception in their ranks their offspring Turkish parents often gave a solid "baksheesh", other words, a bribe.
Such a situation could not continue for long.
End of an era Janissaries
Among people interested in history, there is still no single answer to the question: "Were the Janissaries traitors?" But, logically, we can conclude that the accused of treason can only be thosewho deliberately and in adulthood defected to the enemy, and made it for some personal benefits.Children taken away from parents over the years "brainwashed", they inspired the idea of the validity of the power of the Sultan, their "father."Should pay tribute to the Ottoman ruler, he really belonged to his personal guards, bodyguards, trusted punitive, elite soldiers and policemen in combination as his own children.Sabre janissary three centuries smoothly falls on the heads of recalcitrant matter whether they were foreigners or Turks.But in the XIX century, proven tool began to falter.
summer 1826 Janissary corps revolted against the new laws adopted by the Sultan Mahmud II.The crowd armed "Bashi-Bazouks" tried to storm the residence of the Bishop of Istanbul.The revolt was ruthlessly suppressed the Janissaries Corps disbanded, and they are almost all destroyed.
