Akinji

This article is about the Ottoman light cavalry. For other uses, see Akinji (disambiguation).

An akıncı irregular doing battle.

Akıncı (Turkish: akıncı, literally, "raider", plural: akıncılar) were irregular light cavalry of the Ottoman Empire's military. When the preexisting Turkish ghazis were incorporated into the Ottoman Empire's military they became known as "akıncı." They were one of the first divisions to face the opposing military and were known for their prowess in battle. Unpaid, they lived and operated as raiders on the frontiers of the Ottoman Empire, subsisting totally on plunder.

In battle their main role was to demoralise the opposing army and put them in a state of confusion and shock. They could be likened to a scythe in a wheat field. They would basically hit the enemy with arrows. When attacked in melee, they would retreat while still shooting backwards. They could easily outrun heavy cavalry because they were lightly armed and their horses were bred for speed as opposed to strength. Akıncı forces carried swords also, so that in a field war, they could face the enemy first and fight melee. In some Ottoman campaigns, such as the Battle of Krbava field, Akıncı forces were the only units utilized without any need for Ottoman heavy cavalry or infantry.

Because of their mobility akıncı were also used for reconnaissance and as a vanguard force to terrorize the local population before the advance of the main Ottoman forces.

Akıncı forces were led by certain families. Well-known akıncı families were Malkoçoğlu, Turhanlı, Ömerli, Evrenosoğlu, and Mihalli.

Akıncıs

A thousand horsemen raiding, we were joyful like children;

A thousand horsemen, we beat a huge army that day!

White helmeted leader of the beys screamed: ahead!

We crossed Danube in procession on a summer day...

We striked like lightning from seven directions,

Like a lightning, following Turkish riders.

One day full galloping on our horses,

We lifted up from earth seven layers to sky...

We saw red roses of heaven blooming that day,

The red image still trembles in our minds!

A thousand horsemen raiding, we were joyful like children;

A thousand horsemen, we beat a huge army that day!

Yahya Kemal Beyatlı

See also

• Sipahi
• Janissary
• Ghazi