Our latest Instagram post recalls the relationship between the Janissary Corps and the Bektashi tradition. Understanding this relationship requires considering the military institution’s history, spiritual affiliation and later narratives together.
Military institution and spiritual affiliation
The Janissaries were the salaried, standing infantry of the Ottoman kapıkulu establishment. Their bond with Bektashism developed through the place given to Hacı Bektaş-ı Velî in the corps’ spiritual world. Over time, the Bektashi tradition became prominent in the Janissaries’ expressions of belonging and ceremonies.
How should we read foundation narratives?
Accounts that Hacı Bektaş-ı Velî personally founded the Janissaries or directly prayed for the first soldiers should not be treated as historical foundation records. The TDV Encyclopaedia of Islam’s entry on the Janissaries highlights the chronological gap between Hacı Bektaş’s lifetime and the institution’s formation. Being regarded as a spiritual pir and actually participating in an organisation’s founding are different claims.
1826 and the rupture that followed
The Janissary Corps was abolished in 1826. This process also brought severe repression and dismantling for Bektashi lodges and their members. Viewing it solely as a military change leaves out the rupture in religious and cultural life.
At Türk Alevi Ocakları, we value learning about this heritage while preserving the distinction between documents and narratives. Our poster is an illustrative portrayal of a historical subject. For further reading, consult the encyclopaedia entries below.