Ottoman army; It is one of the most systematic and sophisticated armies seen in the history of world war. The army, which has excellence beyond its age and different equipment, consists of many units. The army, which is divided into two as the Naval and Land Forces, has units that are constantly on the move, as well as the stationary army in the center. One of these units, the Deliler; They have always instilled fear in the enemy with their dexterity, courage and appearance in battle. The Madmen of the Ottoman army, also known as “Azaplar”, have attracted attention throughout history, and movies and documentaries have been made about them.
Deliler is a military unit consisting of cavalry and serving in the Ottoman army. This unit, which draws attention with its dressing styles, was named “The Madmen” because of their brave and fearless march on the enemy. The original name of the union; Although the guide is “evidence” which means guide, they were called crazy among the people. The reason why this union, which consists of specially chosen people, is called Azaplar, comes from the fact that they are forbidden to marry. The word Azap means single in Ottoman Turkish. This unit, which is at the forefront of the armies, has a structure that does not stop until it completes a task it has undertaken. Evliya Çelebi speaks highly of the insane in his travel book.
The Historical Process of the Insane League
Deliler, known as the bouncers of the Ottoman army, is a battalion in the Empire’s Provincial Soldiers class. Consisting of light foot soldiers, this unit consisted of young volunteers between the ages of 20-25. Since the 15th century, he participated in many wars in the army and was appreciated for his courage. Bosnian, Albanian and Serbian soldiers also took part in the unit, the majority of which consisted of Turks. Before the establishment of the janissary corps in the Ottoman army, Azap units were present. The union, which went through special and rigorous training, did not pay taxes, and their salaries were paid to their families.
The unit is divided into 3 classes: on foot, castle and navy. They were among the entourage soldiers of Rumeli Beylerbeyi and Serhat Beyler. In the 16th century, they were under the rule of Rumeli Beylerbeyi, Semendere and Bosnia Sanjak Beys. From the end of the 17th century, they were under the rule of Anatolian viziers and lords, and they were divided into quarries called “Bayrak” for 60 people each. In their expeditions, they were led by a commander called “Delibaşı”. The union, which started to deteriorate in the 18th century, ended their duties as a result of the dismissal of the beylerbey they were under. After this period, they started to attack the villages. Because they carried out banditry activities, II. They were dispersed by Mahmut in 1829.
Features of the Insane League
The outfits worn by the union are usually special outfits made of lion, tiger and fox skins. They wore a feathered helmet made of leopard or spotted hyena skin. They decorated their shields with bird feathers, and their shalwar made of bear or wolf skin. On the flag of the union, which wears a pointed-toed spur boot called “serhatlik”; It is written, “Whatever is in destiny, it will come to you”. In order to frighten the enemy, special attention was paid to the intimidation of their clothes. It is told that the Ottoman army gained a psychological advantage over the other side thanks to the troops wearing black clothes. Changes were made in the outfits of the union, and starting from the 17th century, they began to wear a cubit-long black lambskin cap on their heads.
The unit, mostly composed of specially selected strong people, carried curved machetes, arrows, bows, shields, spears and gray falcons as weapons. The phrase “Ottoman slap” originated with the Deliler, who were both large and fast. These soldiers trained by slapping wet marble to make their hands stronger. It is told that they knocked down the enemy with their anxiety-provoking dressing styles and strong hands. This unit, consisting of large people, attacked the enemy with only a shield in their hands, sometimes even without it. Encountering with the famous Ottoman slap of the men who challenged the marble, the enemy is either dead or is now in a position to fight.
