"18th Century Beginnings of the Ottoman Bashi-Bazouks" Topic

"Originally describing the homeless beggars who reached Istanbul from the provinces of the Ottoman Empire, the term Bashi-Bazouk was later applied to all Muslim subjects who were not members of the Imperial Army, but whom were employed in formed bands of mixed mounted and foot troops attached to the army but under independent officers and providing their own weapons and horses. They appeared at the end of the 18th century and fought in Egypt against Napoleon. During the Crimean War the allied generals made fruitless attempts to discipline them. Their excesses during the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–78 at last forced the Ottoman government to abandon their use.

•There is a connection, with the earlier tradition of the Ottoman Akinci warriors (the Akinci system from the 14th to 16th centuries), which continued after the modernization of the Ottoman army, and used till late 19th century in the Balkan provinces as the Bashi-Bazouk (irregular) warriors.
•Akinci (like the later Bashi-Bazouk ) were unpaid they lived and operated as raiders on the frontiers of the Ottoman Empire, subsisting totally on plunder.
•Because of their mobility Akinci (like the later Bashi-Bazouk ) were used for reconnaissance and as a vanguard force to terrorize the local population before the advance of the main Ottoman forces. Since they were irregular militia, they were not bound by peace treaties, so they could raid border villages and attack enemy garrisons, fortresses and border posts during peace time, constantly harassing the enemy and checking the weak spots on the rival country's defences. They would also attack trading routes to cut enemy's supply and transportation.
•The Bashi-Bazouk , like the Akýncýs wore colourful and bizarre uniform/costumes to shock and confuse their opponents…"
Full article here.
link

Hope you enjoy!.

Amicalement
Armand

Interesting. Thanks Tango.

Happy you enjoyed it my good friend!. (smile).

Amicalement
Armand

ok