Ottoman Janissaries Regiment

The Janissaries (from the Turkish word for "new soldier") were the elite infantry units of the Ottoman Empire. The Janissary corps was established in 1383 by Sultan Murad I to provide him with disciplined and loyal troops for his expansionary campaigns. They were recruited from the Christian vassal states of the Ottoman Empire in Europe through the "Devsirme" system, which involved kidnapping boys aged 6 to 14 and converting them to Islam. These children were indoctrinated and raised in an environment of strict discipline and training, ideal for creating a fighting force.

The corps was divided into "Ortas," equivalent to a battalion, and at the height of Janissary power in the late 16th century, there were 196 Ortas. These were divided into border troops (Cemaat), Sultan's household and bodyguard formations (Beyliks), provincial reserves (Sekbans), and cadet forces (Ajemi). Each Orta was led by a Cobaci or "soup cook," a title signifying humility before the Sultan, as well as an Asci Usta (master chef). Culinary traditions played an important role throughout the Janissary corps, as successful leaders needed to be able to provide for their men.

Regardless of their discipline and impressive battle record, the Janissaries were also at the forefront of many military innovations. They wore uniforms and distinctive headgear at a time when army uniforms were practically unknown. They were the first military units to march in time to music, and also the first to widely employ firearms. The fact that they were paid professional soldiers living in organized barracks was also unusual from a Western perspective.

The social status of the Janissary corps was also noteworthy; as they were neither free men nor common slaves, they formed a unique social class. The Agha, the head of the corps, was one of the most powerful men in the Ottoman Empire, and over the years, the Janissaries took on important government positions and professions within society. This increase in power would prove to be their downfall, as they effectively became kingmakers, killing Sultans they disliked and becoming a corrupt parody of their former glory and a law unto themselves. The end of the Janissary corps came in 1826 when Sultan Mahmud II initiated the "Auspicious Incident," which led to the execution of thousands of Janissaries and the dissolution of the corps.

This set contains 24 metal figures that can represent a Janissary Orta: 12 figures with firearms and 12 with melee weapons, thereby expressing both the uniformity and diversity of Janissary formations.

Includes:

12 metal Janissaries armed with sword and shield (including a command group consisting of officer, standard bearer, drummer, and sergeant).
12 metal Janissaries armed with arquebus, led by an officer.
Plastic bases.