The Janissaries (jan 1, 1363 – jan 1, 1826)

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The Janissaries were an elite military group in the army and a powerful political force within the Ottoman Empire. During peacetime they were used to police the capital and garrison small towns. They are considered the first modern standing army in Europe. The Janissary corps were staffed by Christian boys that were taken from the Balkans, converted to Islam, and drafted into Ottoman service where they were made to follow strict rules such as celibacy. Eventually, these rules relaxed and recruitment opened to Muslim Turks. The Janissaries were known for their skill in archery, but they were also a formidable firepower contingent. Their power and discipline allowed them to become increasingly powerful within the palace. The maintenance costs of the armed forces became increasingly unaffordable, creating tensions between the Janissaries and Sultans and they often engineered palace coups. In the early 19th century, the Janissaries resisted western influence, were declared as rebels by the Sultan, and were either killed by cannon fire or imprisoned then executed.

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