What was the name of the elite infantry units of the Ottoman Empire?

The Janissaries were the elite infantry units of the Ottoman Empire. They formed the sultan’s household troops and became one of the most powerful and recognizable military corps of the early modern world.

The corps emerged in the 14th century and was initially recruited through the devşirme system, which took Christian boys—mainly from the Balkans—for state service, converted them to Islam, and trained them for military and administrative careers. Janissaries received regular pay, lived under strict discipline, and were expected to show absolute loyalty to the sultan.

They played important roles in Ottoman campaigns, including the conquest of Constantinople in 1453. Janissaries were also among the earliest infantry forces to make extensive use of firearms, helping the Ottomans dominate major battlefields and sieges.

Over time, recruitment rules loosened and the corps gained political influence. It increasingly resisted military reforms and rebelled against attempts to limit its privileges. Sultan Mahmud II abolished the Janissaries in 1826 during the Auspicious Incident. Sipahis were cavalry, Azabs were irregular or auxiliary troops, and Kapıkulu was a broader household-service category.