Note 335 — Chapter IV · THE RULING INSTITUTION: AS AN ARMY

A calculation based on Junis Bey’s statements gives a total of between 41,000 and 49,000. Garzoni, 413, says distinctly that there were 40,000 Spahis of the Porte paid out of the sultan’s treasury; that among these were 3000 Spahi-oghlans, 3000 Silihdars, 3000 Ulufajis, and 2000 Ghurebas (ciarcagi); and that the grand vizier had 1000 Spahis assigned to his retinue, and the other viziers each 500. D’Ohsson, vii. 364-365, states that the Spahis proper in the time of Mohammed II, numbered 10,000, and that Achmet III, raised their strength to 12,000; like figures for the Silihdars were 8000 and 12,000. This estimate must include the additional horsemen.