A Janissary officer. Ottoman empire infantry.

Janissary, officer, Turkish, Ottoman, empire, soldier, military
A Janissary officer 1804

A Janissary officer. 

Ottoman empire infantry.

THROUCHOUT the whole extent of the Muslim empire the military government forms the basis of the constitution. Each individual, with the exception of the ministers of religion, may be considered as as soldier, who is always ready to take up arms and march under the banner of the Prophet. And we may indeed consider the whole nation as a large armed body, of which the Sultan is the generalissimo.

The Muslim soldiers are divided into two classes: the Spahis, or cavalry, and the Janissaries, or infantry. The latter are dispersed throughout the different parts of the empire, and although they have their different officers, and constantly receive pay like regular troops, yet they follow other trades and professions. This plate represents an under officer of Janissaries in his common dress.

Source: The costume of Turkey by Octavian Dalvimart.

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