Janissary Corps

The Janissary Corps was an elite military unit in the Ottoman Empire, formed in the 14th century and disbanded in the 19th century. Initially composed of Christian boys taken from their families through a system called "devshirme," they were converted to Islam and trained as soldiers. The Janissaries were highly disciplined and skilled fighters, often serving as the backbone of the Ottoman army and influential in politics. Their unique structure allowed them to rise through the ranks based on merit rather than aristocratic birth, making them a crucial force in the empire's expansion and governance.