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History of Islam Vol 3 of 3 by Akbar Shah Najeebabadi

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Ottoman Empire<br />

373<br />

their<br />

capital and many more Christians settled in the Muslim territory<br />

*5 Dhimmi (non-Muslim citizens <strong>of</strong> an <strong>Islam</strong>ic State).<br />

prime<br />

that<br />

danger<br />

Minister Alauddin put into the mind <strong>of</strong> his younger brother<br />

the big feudal fiefdoms possessed large armies and <strong>of</strong>ten posed a<br />

to the central rule. The feudal lords could use the influx <strong>of</strong><br />

Christians against the central rulers. Thus it appeared wise that the<br />

young boys from the Christian prisoners and subjects be brought up<br />

and trained <strong>by</strong> the central power and an army be built out <strong>of</strong> them<br />

after teaching them <strong>Islam</strong>. This army was to be considered as the royal<br />

army and they were not expected to rise against the state. Moreover,<br />

they could prove their<br />

mettle as devout Muslims and in such a case,<br />

their relatives would not think <strong>of</strong> going against their own sons who<br />

made up the royal army. When the plan was put into practice and<br />

thousand young Christian boys, when properly taught and<br />

several<br />

trained, rose to such a respected position, the Christians themselves<br />

rushed for admission <strong>of</strong> their sons into these training centers. When<br />

the first batch <strong>of</strong> the young Christian trainees was posted as the<br />

bodyguards <strong>of</strong> the Sultan, he took them to a religions scholler for his<br />

The sage put his hand on the shoulder <strong>of</strong> a young trainee<br />

blessings.<br />

and invoked Allah's blessings for the new recruits, which was taken as<br />

a good omen. The teachings <strong>of</strong> <strong>Islam</strong> and exclusive military training<br />

made<br />

them very pious and devout Muslims on one hand and soldiers<br />

<strong>of</strong> the top rank on the other. These soldiers had nothing to do with<br />

their relatives and they were solely the virtuous servants <strong>of</strong> <strong>Islam</strong> and<br />

royal bodyguards. This wonderful army eUminated the danger <strong>of</strong> tevol<br />

against the central rule and the commanders and feudal lords could nm<br />

even Lk <strong>of</strong> such an action. Prime Mmister Alauddm o^ new<br />

roadrasas (schools) in different parts <strong>of</strong> the counny and teOmshans<br />

were given the<br />

same nghts th^t the Muslims<br />

full facilities to cany out their trade<br />

caused Urge numbe r <strong>of</strong><br />

churches. This graceful behavior <strong>of</strong> th<br />

mal(.<br />

^ tQ e<br />

Christians to enter the fold <strong>of</strong> klam ' “°"^p<br />

their own choice regarding religion and a“*P' .<br />

desores with full understanding <strong>of</strong> what they<br />

ted ^lam on their own<br />

This Janissary force was very moderT'<br />

r^'<br />

i^s'<br />

reforms in the army, gave it uniforms accord g<br />

ranks divided<br />

'

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