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A bashi-bazouk or bashibazouk (Turkish ''başıbozuk'', literally "damaged head", also named ''delibaş'', literally "crazy head", both meaning "free headed", "leaderless", "disorderly") was an irregular soldier of the Ottoman army. A Bashi-Bazouk may be Turk but also Circassian, Kurd, Arab, Albanian.〔Star , Issue 6345, 26 November 1898, (Page 7 )〕 They were particularly noted for their lack of discipline. ==Irregulars== Although Turkish armies always contained ''bashi-bazouk'' adventurers as well as regular soldiers, the strain on the Ottoman feudal system caused mainly by the Empire's wide expanse required heavier reliance on irregular soldiers. They were armed and maintained by the government, but did not receive pay and did not wear uniforms or distinctive badges. They were motivated to fight mostly by expectations of plunder.〔Montgomery 1968, p. 246〕 Though the majority of troops fought on foot, some troops (called ''akinci'') rode on horseback. Because of their lack of discipline, they were incapable of undertaking major military operations, but were useful for other tasks such as reconnaissance and outpost duty. However, their uncertain temper occasionally made it necessary for the Turkish regular troops to disarm them by force.〔 The Ottoman army consisted of the following: * The Sultan's household troops, called ''Kapıkulu'', which were salaried, most notable being Janissary corps. * Provincial soldiers, which were fiefed (Turkish ''Tımarlı''), the most important being ''Timarli Sipahi'' (lit. "fiefed cavalry") and their retainers (called ''cebelu'' lit. armed, man-at-arms), but other kinds were also present. * Soldiers of subject, protectorate, or allied states (the most important being the Crimean Khans) * Bashi-bazouk usually did not receive regular salaries and lived off loot. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Bashi-bazouk」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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