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Yenicheri
Aghasi (Commander-in-Chief of the Janissaries)
He was the leader of the Janissary Corps, responsible
for everything to do with the Corps, on a par with today's Commander-in-Chief
of the Armed Forces. He lived in the Palace known as Agha Kapousou and
took part in the meetings of the Divan (Council of State). He was the
msot important of all the Aghas and wore a special robe when coming to
Divan. At times he took the place of the Vizier and then he entered the
presence of the Sultan by bowing and kissing the skirt of his coat twice.
He helped the Sultan to dismount from his horse and was responsible for
law and order within the city of Istanbul. He was also in charge of putting
out fires. The Commander-in-Chief was paid daily fees of 500 akches, plus
an annual salary of 90,000 akches. Promotion for the Commander-in-Chief
was to be made Governor General or Grand Vizier but if he was demoted
he was made Sandjak-Bey (Governor General of a Sandjak or subdivision
of a province). Once every three years, the Commander-in-Chief was given
a horse from the stable of the Sultan. The post was dissolved with the
rest of the Janissary Corps in 1826.
Reis
Effendi (Sailing Captain)
This was the old title used for captains of sailing
vessels. From the 17th century onwards the title Captain was used instead
of Reis.
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