ALBANIAN SOLDIERS IN THE OTTOMAN ARMY DURING THE GREEK REVOLT AT 1821

Abstract

Ottoman Army organization had started to deteriorate from the mid-17th century.Military failures made the social and economic problems worse. In this situation,alternative potentials in the empire appeared because of the increasing militaryneeds of the central government and the provincial governors. By the way, generalemployment of the Albanian warriors who were famous with their courage andstrength became possible.1There were a lot of reasons for employing Albanian warriors with salary while therewas Ottoman regular army corps, including janissaries and soldiers from the states.Governing problems, had existed in the states and land system after the defeat inVienne at 1683, was one of these reasons. Also after the end of the conquering era,the castles and fortresses at the borderlines were built for defense and there were nota necessary number of soldiers in these buildings. This problem was tried to byemploying the warriors with long- matchlock-guns from Bosnia, Herzegovina andAlbania.2 During the time, the necessity of mercenary increased too much as seen inthe example of the Ottoman army which established for pressing the Greek Revoltin 1821, was almost composed of the Albanian soldiers.