TRENDEFRAtlas of the Sultans · Glossary
Term · Army and navy
Also known as: Yeniçeri, Janissary corps
The salaried, permanent infantry of the kapıkulu army.
The corps was founded under Murad I. Its soldiers were first taken from prisoners of war and later recruited through the devshirme. For centuries the Janissaries were the strongest unit of the Ottoman army; after the 17th century, however, they turned into a force that deposed sultans through revolts. The corps was abolished by Mahmud II in June 1826.
Source: TDV Encyclopedia of Islam, article “YENİÇERİ” (in Turkish); text condensed for the atlas.