The Basics of Corpsmen's Resistance in the Military Policy of the Ottoman Empire

The Ottoman Empire is one of the few great empires of the world, which during more than 6 centuries has brought a vast portion of the world of those days, including Muslims and non-Muslims, under its rule. The aforementioned empire had a significant influence over the regions and countries under its control, in political, economic, cultural, social, and military aspects. Addressing the subject of the military policy of the mentioned empire, the present study tries to discuss and investigate the basics and methods of creating resistance in corpsmen through a descriptive-analytical approach. The findings indicate that Ottomans, since the beginning of their military activities and conquests, have employed various useful methods in mobilizing and stimulating the corpsmen and creating resistance in them during their dispatch, before and during battles. Some of these methods include the usage of holy Islamic sources and texts, respected literary and spiritual symbols and characters, the promise of material gifts and access to the wealth and booties of hostile pagans, the active presence of high-ranked officials of the Ottoman empire in battle fields, assuming the right of vote for commandants in taking decisions and tactics for war.