The New Student's Reference Work/Janizaries

Janizaries (jăn′ĭ-zā-rĭz) (a Turkish word meaning new soldiers), the first regular standing army of the Turks, formed by Sultan Orkhan in 1330. They mainly were young Christian prisoners, who were compelled to believe in Mahomet. In 1362 the army numbered 10,000, and for some time prisoners were added, but the force became privileged and honored, so that many young Turks sought to be admitted into their number. At the head of the force was an aga or chief. In peace the janizaries acted as police, and in war they served on foot, being noted for bravery. The sultan’s bodyguard was formed of them. Their history is replete with conspiracies, assassinations of sultans, viziers and agas. More than one sultan attempted to reform or disband them. At last Sultan Mahmud II, in 1826, having organized a new force after the pattern of the European armies, displayed the flag of the prophet, and after hard fighting drove the janizaries into their barracks, which he burned, 8,000 perishing in the flames. Not less than 15,000 were executed, and more than 20,000 were banished. By a proclamation, June 17, 1826, the janizary forces were finally disposed of, and their place taken by the nizam, the modern regulars, formed on the European plan. See Pooler’s The Story of Turkey.