Historical Overview Section
The first military unit of the Ottoman State was an army that was organized by Osman I from the tribesmen inhabiting western Anatolia in the late 13th century. The military system became an intricate organization with the advance of the Empire. The Ottoman military was a complex system of recruiting and fief-holding. The main corps of the Ottoman Army included:
Janissary: Infantry units recruited at a very young age from the non-Muslim ethnic groups of the Empire and raised as Muslim Turkish warriors, also forming the Sultan's household troops and bodyguard. Most of the recruits were Christian Balkans.
Sipahi: Elite cavalry knights who were granted tımars (fiefs) throughout the Empire's lands. Their alternative name was Tîmârlı Sipahi (Enfiefed Knight).
Akıncı: Frontline cavalry units of the Ottoman Army which raided and scouted the border areas and outposts. These units were known as ghazis before the establishment of the Ottoman army and contributed significantly to early Ottoman success against the Palaiologan army.
Mehterân: Ottoman Army Band which played martial tunes during military campaigns. The mehterân was usually associated with the Janissary corps.
The Ottoman army was once among the most advanced fighting forces in the world, being one of the first to employ muskets. The Ottoman cavalry used bows and short swords and often applied nomad tactics similar to those of the Mongol Empire, such as pretending to retreat while surrounding the enemy forces inside a crescent-shaped formation and then making the real attack.
Starting from the Battle of Kosovo in 1389 and the Battle of Nicopolis in 1396, the Ottoman army quickly advanced towards central Europe, capturing Hungary with the Battle of Mohács in 1526 and twice laying siege to Vienna, in 1529 and 1683. However, the decline in the army's performance became evident from the mid 17th century and after the Great Turkish War, the Ottoman army's reputation as one of the most feared fighting forces in the world was never regained. The 18th century saw some limited success against Venice, but in the north the European-style Russian armies forced the Ottomans to concede land.
Using the army in ADLG
- Very hard to look much past using the Serbs as an ally and building the list from there, which leaves you with a small list that struggles to be viable in period
- The other option is a massed poor quality shooting army. This is a bit more Ottoman-feeling, but is very easy to do badly with
Useful Links
User-contributed links about this army. Add links in this format:
- name of link description of link
as an example
- Sumer & Akkad Army usage statistics from the ADLG ranking site
Army Lists
Sample army lists for this army
Skiing Du 2023
Strategist
1 Siphais Heavy Cavalry Bow ----
1 Siphais Medium Cavalry Bow ----
1 Qapukulu Heavy Cavalry Impact Bow Elite
1 Akinci Light Cavalry Bow ----
3 Jannisary Medium Swordsmen Bow Elite
2 Azab Bowmen Light Infantry Bow ----
2 Iaylar Fanatics Medium Swordsmen Impetuous Elite
1 Deli Light Cavalry Impact ------
==
Competent
3 Siphais Heavy Cavalry Bow Elite
1 Akinci Light Cavalry Bow ----
1 Deli Light Cavalry Impact ----
==
Ordinary Included
1 Qapukulu Heavy Cavalry Impact Bow Elite
1 Siphais Medium Cavalry Bow ------
1 Akinci Light Cavalry Bow ------
1 Turkoman Light Cavalry Bow Elite
J-L Mastrieux Alicante 2023
1 Impact/Bw HCv Elite w/Ord General
2 HCv Bw Elite
1 LF Bow
==
2 HCv Bow
2 LH Bo1
1 HCv Impact/Be Included General (O)
==
4 Janissaries
Strategist
2 LH Bow
1 LF Bow
2 MF Bow
2 HCv Elite Bow
1 LF Javelin
(This comp mandated a Strategist)
BHGS Challenge 2019 225 points
1 HC Quakapulu Included General
2 LH Bow
1 Janissary
2 HC Bow
1 LF Bow
==
Serbs x 3
1 Bowman Mediocre
1 LH Impact Elite
Brilliant General
==
3 Janissaries
1 Quakapulu
2 HC Bow
2 LH Bow
1 LF Bow
1 LH Impact
200 Points
- 3 of these
- 4 of these
- etc
- etc