yeniçeri

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The Janissary (Turkish: Yeniçeri, "new soldier") was a military class in the Ottoman Empire. Theories vary on its founding, with some attributing it to Orhan Gazi or I. Murad's reign. As the empire expanded, the Janissary Corps was formed by recruiting Christian children between 8 and 18 years old (devshirme) to be trained for military service. The Janissaries made up a large portion of the infantry in the Sultan's Imperial Guard, known as Kapıkulu Ocağı. During battles, they marched behind the sultan on horseback, with him riding at their center. On campaign and during stays, Janissaries stood guard around the sultan. In peacetime, they protected Istanbul. Additionally, there were Janissary units stationed in various regions of the empire. The corps had several badges and flags, but its most prominent one was the Imam Azam flag, symbolizing its Sunni affiliation. They also belonged to the Bektaşi order. Starting from the 17th century, non-Christian recruits began being accepted into the Acemi Ocağı. Initially a valuable institution that helped Turks settle in Rumelia, this system ultimately led to various problems when it was abolished by II. Mahmud in 1826. The Janissary Corps was the world's first standing army in modern times.