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The Janissaries made up the elite bodyguard of the sultans of the Turkish Ottoman empire. They formed the first Ottoman standing army, replacing earlier tribal forces that often lacked in loyalty and/or morale. Thus they became part of the backbone of the Ottoman empire.
"Janissary" is English for the Turkish "Yeni çeri", meaning 'new soldier'. The Janissary corps was established by Sultan Murad I in 1383 CE, to provide him with a professional, reliable and loyal army. Initially they were recruited from young slave boys, often Christians from southeastern Europe and Russia. From the early 15th to the mid 17th century CE they were recruited through the "Devşhirme" system, a kind of tax in humans rather than goods or money.
The young recruits were taught Turkish, instilled with discipline and trained and raised as soldiers. They were forbidden to marry or to practice any other profession than soldiering. All Janissaries were converted to islam and maintained close ties with the dervishes. Only if they proved strong enough did they receive the rank of 'true' Janissary at the age of 24 or 25. They were slaves, but received salaries, booty and pensions. The result was a force that was loyal to the sultan only.
The Janissaries started out as archers, armed with Turkish bows. When firearms were introduced, they were among the first to adopt them. In close combat they fought with a kilij or yatagan sword and a small axe. They were an infantry unit in an army that otherwise consisted mostly of cavalry. Janissaries were important in sieges, supplying both sappers and assault troops. In peacetime they acted as policemen and firefighters. Despite their versatility, their main function was to act as bodyguard for the sultan.
The Janissaries stood out in many respects, including presentation. They marched in tune with their own music and wore distinct uniforms. Part of this was the "börk", the hat that signaled that they were part of a military and also religious brotherhood. They were forbidden to grow beards. The troops lived apart from the civilian population in barracks. They were an elite force and received better logistical, medical and financial support than regular army troops.
The corps was divided into "orta", battalions. Their number varied throughout the centuries. Originally there were about 1,000 Janissaries, a number that quickly rose to 10,000, peaked at 55,000 in the mid-16th century CE and fluctuated afterwards. Promotion was based on ability. Like in Mamluk Egypt, this made competent people rise to the top. The most intelligent Janissaries received education in civil affairs and were employed beyond the army; some even became governors. These were so powerful, that in some cases they took over power of the state, even deposing and instating sultans.
By the 16th century CE they had become a class of their own. In 1566 CE they coerced the sultan into allowing marriages and accepting their own children into the corps. Turks too entered their ranks, hoping for lucrative careers. Gradually the position of Janissary became hereditary. The system became conservative and slowly started to hamper change in the Ottoman state. By the 18th century CE, the Janissary corps had degenerated. In the early 19th century their number had swelled to 135,000, yet their quality had only declined. Several sultans tried to reform the corps; Mahmud II succeeded, though not after going through a revolt and a massacre of 4,000 troops.