How did the janissaries help the Ottoman Empire maintain Muslim influence?
1 Answer
The Janissaries help to maintain the power of the Muslim Sultan of the Ottoman Turkish Empire.
Explanation:
The Muslim Empires tended to break apart as rival national, tribal, and religious sects fought for power. The Janissaries not being Muslim had loyalty only to the Sultan. The support of the military power of the Janissaries was vital to political power of the Muslim empire of the Ottoman Turks.
The Janissaries were formed during 1362 - 1389 by the Sultan Murah. Young Christian boys were kidnapped, placed in Muslim families and indoctrinated into Muslim ideals, culture, Turkish languages. The process of devsirme system allowed Christian boys to be enslaved and made into military units. Ironically enslaved Christians were used to enforce Muslim political geographical power.
The Janissaries were forced into a life, where they could not marry, earn money or have any other life than to be loyal to the Sultan and fight his battles. These professional soldiers though technically slaves, received high salaries social standing, and a strong sense of identity as part of the Janissaries corp.
The Janissary Corp was instrumental in the military success of the Turkish, Muslim Empire. Though made up of enslaved Christian boys the Janissary corp was used to defeat and enslave other Christian Nations and Cultures, as well as maintaining the political power of the Muslim Turkish Empire.
