The Ottoman Empire is one of the greatest powers of the Middle Ages and modern times. Having appeared in the 12th century, the Ottoman Turks collapsed only at the beginning of the 20th century, after the First World War. One of the visiting cards of the then Turkey were the regiments of the Janissaries. And one of the brightest features of these harsh and disciplined warriors was their arsenal, primarily luxurious cleavers - scimitars. Let's learn a little more about them.
How it all started
The Ottoman Empire was one of the main opponents of medieval European states, primarily Byzantium (which it buried in its time) and the Holy Roman Empire. Despite all the local flavor, Islam, hashish, people in strange headdresses and love for women with closed faces - medieval feudal Turkey is not so different (at least in its root) from medieval feudal Europe. And therefore, the processes taking place in two civilizations - Western and Eastern, were very similar.
Earlier and for a significant part of the classical Middle Ages, heavy cavalry of the knightly type dominated the battlefield. Of course, in northern Africa, in the Great Steppe and in Asia Minor, light cavalry was no less widely used, there was infantry in the form of crossbowmen, archers and some would-be militia to guard the convoy and dig cesspools in camp. However, the real iron glove of war was still the heavy cavalry.
The problem with heavy cavalry was two things. First, it is extremely expensive. Secondly, it consists of noble people and their servants, and this contingent is very specific in its moral and volitional qualities. By the beginning of the XIV century, both in Europe and in Asia Minor, problems began with heavy cavalry. In the cozy Holy Roman Empire, torn apart by private wars, the nobility became too much, and they were rapidly becoming poorer. As a result, many professional military personnel became virtually impoverished and could not afford to maintain a horse and buy appropriate equipment. In the Ottoman Empire, the problem with the noble cavalry was of a slightly different nature, stemming from problem number two - all these "wonderful" feudal lords at the first opportunity tried to climb higher or even throw the Sultan off throne. Turkey generally has one of the richest histories of military coups.
As a result, the XIV century was marked by the beginning of the restoration of professional infantry armies, which have not existed in the Old World for economic, technological and social reasons since antiquity. So in Europe, it was decided to drive all the orphaned and poor, but noble guys into the infantry. This allowed us to solve the problem with their employment. Of course, in the eyes of the nobles of the XIV century, this was a terrible lowering of status, but not without help talented PR campaign of Emperor Charles IV, everything worked out, and the former knights were already walking with pleasure serve.
Interesting fact: Charles IV personally walked around Prague with a halberd on his shoulder to show that even he, the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, was not ashamed to fight not on horseback. Moreover, even at the age of 25, the future emperor repeatedly took part in battles, standing on foot along with his knights. Since the end of the 13th century, the practice of dismounting knights to reinforce the infantry, which became more and more on the battlefield, began to gain popularity in Europe. The presence of professional military personnel in the ranks first of all increased the morale of the militia.
But the Ottoman Empire created its own professional infantry. The janissaries became her. They appeared in 1365 by the decision of Sultan Muharad I - the first sultan of the Ottoman Empire. As a result, along with the sipahs - heavy cavalry and akindzhirs - light cavalry, the anichars formed the basis of the new Turkish army. But the most important thing is that they were created, including as a military force capable of becoming a counterweight for the nobles who served in the army, who could conceive a coup against the Sultan.
Who is "Janissary" ?!
Janissaries are a very specific army that could be called (conditionally) slave. However, one should not be deceived, for a long time the Janissaries were one of the most effective fighting forces in the world. Suffice it to recall that they were copied by many Ottoman protectorate states, for example, the Crimean Khanate. Moreover, the streltsy army in Russia was created, including under the influence of the Turkish janissaries.
The most striking feature of the Janissaries was that they were recruited from Christians living in the territory of the Ottoman Empire. Children of Armenians, Albanians, Bulgarians, Bosnians, Greeks, Georgians and other peoples were selected at the age of 8-16 for service in the army as part of the payment of the "blood tax" - devshirme, one of the special taxes for the non-Muslim population empire. However, later, Muslim children began to be recruited into the Janissaries. The only ones who were freed from devshirme at all times were the Jews and residents of Istanbul, who could speak Turkish.
Janissaries lived in barracks-monasteries under the most severe discipline. They were forbidden to marry and have families. All property of the janissary belonged to his unit and became the property of the army after his death. Despite all the cruelty and severity of the assembly of the army and its training, one should not think that the Janissaries are some kind of unfortunate slaves. First, they were paid well. Secondly, a considerable stratum of janissaries, in addition to the art of war, also studied cartography, theology, law, languages and literature. Thirdly, soldiers who retired due to age or injury received a pension. After 1566, they were allowed to marry and start their own household. Having gone on an honorable vacation, many former janissaries have had an amazing civil career, including in government.
However, in the end, the indulgences caused the decomposition of the janissary corps and played a cruel joke with them. Originally created to protect the throne, they have become the main threat to it. Here their fate is largely reminiscent of the fate of the army of the archers, as well as the imperial guard of the Russian Empire.
Why does the Janissary need a scimitar?
The scimitar is one of the most luxurious and beautiful pieces of equipment of the Janissaries. Many people mistakenly believe that it is also the primary weapon. In fact, this is not the case. From their inception, Janissaries were ranged infantry - archers, and later musketeers. Thus, the main weapon was still an arquebus and a bow, and later a musket. In turn, the luxurious scimitar was, in fact, an auxiliary melee weapon. European musketeers armed themselves with swords and hatchets (large knives), while the Turks had scimitars.
There is also a legend that the janissaries were forbidden to wear sabers in peacetime by the decision of the sultan, but they cleverly bypassed this ban by becoming scimitars! It sounds at least doubtful, since in wartime they armed themselves mainly with the same type of weapon. If you think about it, the scimitar is an excellent choice for its own purposes.
A lightweight single-edged blade weighing about 800 grams and a length of about 65 cm, ideal for close combat. Fencing like that is not necessary - just chop and cut is enough. This is indicated, in particular, by the shape of the scimitar's blade and the shape of its handle. The lack of support eloquently informs us that it is not intended for stabbing. Thus, it becomes obvious that the scimitar is nothing more than a last-chance weapon for a fighter who finds himself on the battlefield under conditions of "everything is bad."
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And the most important thing to remember is that the Janissaries did not throw scimitars. Firstly, because throwing such a "knife" will be at best 3-5 meters. Secondly, because it doesn't make any sense at all in the vast majority of situations.
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If you want to know even more interesting things, then you should definitely read about how a 300-year-old defensive structure was created - earthen fortress of St. Anna.
Source: https://novate.ru/blogs/080220/53369/