JAN IZARIES new soldiers), a Turkish military force, originally formed by the Osmanii sultan Orkhan, about 1330. of young Christian prisoners compelled to embrace Mohammedanism; and more perfectly organized by stillan Amurath I. after 1362. when the number was raised to about 10,000, and especial privileges were con ferred on them. They were for some time recruited from Christian prisoners. but their privileges soon induced many young Turks to seek admission into their body. There were two classes of janizaries, one regularly organized, dwelling in barracks in Constantinople and a few other towns, and whose number at one time amounted to 60,000, but was afterwards reduced to 25,000; and the other composed of irregular troops, called jarnabi, scattered throughout all the towns of the empire, and amounting in number to 300,000 or 400,000. At. the head of the whole janizary force was the aga of the janizaries, whose power was limited only by the danger of revolt, and extended to life and death. The janizaries were always ready to break out into deeds of violence if their pay or perquisites were withheld. In times of peace they acted as it police force. They served on foot; generally formed the reserve of the Turkish army, and were noted for the wild impetuosity of their attack. The sultan's body-guard was
formed of them. The janizaries, however, soon begun to be very unruly; and their history abounds in conspiracies, assassinations of sultans, viziers, ages, etc., and atrocities of every kind; so that, by degrees, they became more dangerous to the sultans than any foreign enemies. The attempts of the sultans to reform or dissolve them 'acre always unsuccessful, till sultan Mahmoud II., in 1826, being opposed in some of his measures by the janizaries in Constantinople, displayed the flag of the prophet, and succeeded in nronsing on his own behalf the fanatical zeal of other portions of his troops. The janizaries, deserted by their aga and other principal officers, who remained faithful to the sultan, were defeated and their barracks burned, when 8,000 of them perished in the flames. A proclamation of June 17, 1826, declared the janizary force forever dissolved. All opposition was defeated with bloodshed. Not fewer than 15,000 were executed, and more than 20,000 were banished.