They were divided into cemaat, bölükhalki and segban divisions, each of which was commanded by an aga.
They were divided into cemaat, bölükhalki and segban divisions, each of which was commanded by an aga. They were not allowed to grow beards, a privilege limited to free men. Recruited by the devsirme system, their discipline waned to the point where, by the 18th century, they spent more time participating in palace coups than doing actual fighting. Wiped out when Sultan Mahmed II had cannon fire directed into their barracks, and then executed the survivors in what would be termed the "Auspicious Incident" of 1826, for ten points, this elite corps in the army of the Ottoman Empire was composed of draftees from Christian provinces.
They were divided into cemaat, bölükhalki and segban divisions, each of which was commanded by an aga.
{janissary} or {janissaries }