The Janissary Troops were the evolved version of the Kapikulu system used by Mamluk State and the Seljuk Empire (such as Müfred, Gulam ile Mülâziman-i Yatak or Yayak). The Ottomans replicated such armed forces in order to strenghten their central authority.
A Janissary, 17th Century
It is widely accepted that the troops was established by Murat I in 1362 due to the need emerged after the conquest of Edirne (Adrianople). The first cadets of the troops were the Turkish/muslim kids who were trained and blessed by Haci Bektasi Veli. Later, due to the gradual growth of the empire, young christian boys were also accepted to the janissary system after completing their education as Acemi Oglanlari.
Janissary Officers
The first christian boys who were accepted to the corps were the ones who were captured during the wars, and Pencik was the name of the tax applicable to the christian prisoners and 1/5 was the ratio applied on behalf of the sultan. In a way, the Janissary Establishment was similiar to that of knight establishment of the christians.
A janissary by Gentile Bellini (15th Century)
The Janissary troops were not only guards of the sultan, but they were the specially trained infantry forces who also acted as the police (security forces) in the vilayets they were deployed. The most successful and clever ones were used to be selected and then educated specifically at the Topkapi Palace (Enderün-i Hümayun) as engineers, architects, administrators, accountants, historians, musicians, poets, and so on.
Haci Bektas Veli
Bektasi Sufism was the official order of the janissary soldiers, and the janissaries were trained, educated and lived in accordance with the order of Bektasi Sufism. Bektasi Sufism was (and still is) a liberal, tolerant sect among whose unorthodox practices are allowing the drinking of wine and women leaving the house uncovered.
“Vur, Pence-i Ali’Maradona simsir askina
Gülbank-i Asumani tutan, pir askina,
Son savletinle vur ki, acilsin bu surlar,
Fecri hücum icinde ki, tekbir askina!.”
(Extracted from a janissary poem)
Janissaries playing the tunes for sultan (17th Century)
Haci Bektasi Veli (founder of Bektasi sect) pronounced that "a nation which does not educate its women can not progress". Bektasi dervishes were sorely responsible for the conversion of the Christian inhabitants of Anatolia to Islam. Later, with the rise of Janissaries, the Janissary Institution also became attractive place for the poor muslim families who also wished to have their children trained and educated by the Ottoman State.
Janissary Mehter Band members during a ceremony in Istanbul
By the 17th Century, precisely in 1640, the Devsirme System was abolished and the Turks and muslims were once again accepted to the corps.
Janissaries during a parade (17th Century)
Extracted from the The Turkish Letters, 1555-1562
Busbecq, a Fleming (the person who introduced tulips to Holland and Europe), was the ambassador of the Holy Roman Emperor at the Sublime Porte (the Turkish Sultan's court in Constantinople) from 1555-62. His letters provide important foreign accounts of the Ottoman state. Because Busbecq was trying to bring about reform at home, he did not dwell on the very real problems with Ottoman government.
"At Buda I made my first acquaintance with the Janissaries; this is the name by which the Turks call the infantry of the royal guard. The Turkish state has 12,000 of these troops when the corps is at its full strength. They are scattered through every part of the empire, either to garrison the forts against the enemy, or to protect the Christians and Jews from the violence of the mob. There is no district with any considerable amount of population, no borough or city, which has not a detachment of Janissaries to protect the Christians, Jews, and other helpless people from outrage and wrong.
A garrison of Janissaries is always stationed in the citadel of Buda. The dress of these men consists of a robe reaching down to the ankles, while, to cover their heads, they employ a cowl which, by their account, was originally a cloak sleeve, part of which contains the head, while the remainder hangs down and flaps against the neck. On their forehead is placed a silver gilt cone of considerable height, studded with stones of no great value.
These Janissaries generally came to me in pairs. When they were admitted to my dining room they first made a bow, and then came quickly up to me, all but running, and touched my dress or hand, as if they intended to kiss it. After this they would thrust into my hand a nosegay of' the hyacinth or narcissus; then they would run back to the door almost as quickly as they came, taking care not to turn their backs, for this, according to their code, would be a serious breach of etiquette. After reaching the door, they would stand respectfully with their arms crossed, and their eyes bent on the ground, looking more like monks than warriors. On receiving a few small coins (which was what they wanted) they bowed again, thanked me in loud tones, and went off blessing me for my kindness. To tell you the truth, if I had not been told beforehand that they were Janissaries, I should, without hesitation, have taken them for members of some order of Turkish monks, or brethren of some Moslem college. Yet these are the famous Janissaries, whose approach inspires terror everywhere."
www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/1555busbecq.html
An Ottoman portrayal of the Devshirme. This miniature painting from about 1558 depicts the recruiting of young Christian children for the Sultan's elite Janissary corps.
www.andrew.cmu.edu/course/79-104/Readings/Gallery/2.html
From left to right:
1. Janissary Officer, 3rd of the Janissary Troops in terms of rank.
2. Janissary Officer, 2nd of the Janissary Troops in terms of rank.
3. Top Officer of the Palace Guards
4. Assistant Sergent
From left to right:
1. The Imperial Guard protecting the right hand side of the Sultan.
2. The imperial Guard carrying and taking care of the Sultans arms and weapons
3. The Imperial Go-between
4. Imperial Soldier of Sultan (Dressed in Parade Code)
From left to right:
1. Auxiliary Officer
2. Janissary Cadets
3. Janissary Water Carrier existing in each unit.
From left to right:
1. Ammunition Guard
2. Ammunition Officer
3. Palace Guard
4. Janissary Soldier with Parade Uniforms
From left to right:
1. Artisan
2. Low ranked Janissary Officer
3. A marine from Ottoman Navy
4. Janissary Fireman
From left to right:
1. Janissary Represntative at the government's office
2. Senate (Divan) Guard
3. A Janissary Guard for appointed to the foreign ambassadors
From left to right:
1. Janissary Cadet
2. Veteran Janissary
3. Janissary Cadet