Deli (Ottoman troops)


Deliler was an Ottoman Shock troop light cavalry unit.
Their main role was to act as shock troops on the front lines by using guerrilla tactics, and to put opposing army in a state of confusion and shock also acting as personal guard of high level Ottoman officials in the Rumeli during peace time.

History

The first Delis was created by the Bosnian and Semendire governors. Gazi Husrev-beg was leader who most associated with these troops and who employed about 10,000 of them. Due to efficiency of Husrev-beg other district ie frontier and inland governors of Rumelia began to imitate him. Delis were usually of Bosnian, Croat and Serb origin which earlier convert to Islam and they were dedicated to fight against infidels in fanatically way.
The unit is first established in Rumelia Eyalet around middle of 15th century to create a force to protect the borders of the empire in the Balkans and coming to full power around 16th century.
The unit is usually confused in historical records with the Akinji, both being light cavalry units and being part of Eyalet soldiers, although they were not related.
Sultan Mahmud II abolished the unit on 1829, like Disbandment of Janissaries, while trying to reform the army and establish one in the Western model.

Gallery

Popular Culture

In the Turkish movie, Deliler Fatih'in Fermanı: directed by Osman Kaya, a small Deli's League is told to be sent to Wallachia in order to kill the Romanian Prince Vlad the Impaler.