In this issue we begin an in-depth look at the Ottoman cavalry forces of the Napoleonic era. The cavalry was the most numerous and most feared branch of the Ottoman military.

It came in many varieties. The smallest force was the Imperial cavalry, most of which was stationed in and around Istanbul. There was also a small force of paid cavalry that served in the various fortresses scattered throughout the empire.

Next came the Sipahis. Many have compared them to European knights in that they were not paid directly by the state, but instead held land in exchange for military service. While this had been the most important arm of the Ottoman military in its early days, this force had very badly deteriorated by the Napoleonic era and was but a shadow of its former glory.

Next came the various cavalry forces of the provincial governors. As the military administrator of his province, each governor maintained his own army. While some of these provincial forces were small, serving as little more than local policemen. others were both numerous and well-trained.

Finally there were the forces of the various subject peoples of the empire. There were numerous tribes of Kurds, Tartars, Arabs and others who paid no taxes to the state. In exchange for this freedom from taxation and virtual independence in their native homelands, they provided military units to the Sultan in times of war and national emergency. The Kurds alone were estimated to be able to field 20,000 horsemen.

And added to this was an uncountable number of private citizens with horses and guns. In much of the empire there was no clear distinction between soldier and civilian with almost everyone going armed.

These "citizen soldiers," who often served as brigands in the off-season, would flock to the army in their tens of thousands when the call was given.