Sipahis

For this month's post I return to the Ottomans with a painted up unit of Sipahis or Timariots. So far I have only completed one unit of these Ottoman cavalrymen, http://camisado1500s.blogspot.com/2020/03/ottoman-sipahis-and-guns.html, but as they were often the largest component of any Ottoman force the collection was definitely in need of some more. Rhoads Murphey in "Ottoman Warfare 1500-1700" estimates that in the early 16th Century, before the conquest of much of Hungary in 1541, (see http://camisado1500s.blogspot.com/2022/01/the-siege-of-buda-1541.html), the Sultan could raise around 90,000 of these troops, 60,000 of them being within relatively easy riding distance of the frontier with Hungary along the Danube. They formed a core part of the Ottoman army. 

Whilst "Sipahi" was simply the word for soldier in Persian a "Timar" was an area of land allotted to the Sipahi, hence the term "Timariot". This land was intended to provide him with an income and in return he would provide military service to the Sultan when required. Wealthier Timariots were accompanied by "Cebelus", additional men at arms, the number a Timariot was expected to bring with him to a campaign depended on his wealth. These Sipahis are not to be confused with the Sipahis of the Porte, the household cavalry, which are covered here http://camisado1500s.blogspot.com/2020/07/the-kapikulu-suvarileri-and-more.html.

These figures are from Warfare Miniatures, 
https://www.leagueofaugsburg.com/shop/products-subcat-61-2.html. As they are intended for the 17th to 18th century they also carry pistols. Whilst this would be fine for Sipahis of the later 16th century I want to be able to use these for around 1500 onwards so have removed all of the pistols with a scalpel. The rest of their arms and armour fit in well with the early 16th century. The figures come with separate scabbards, shields, bows and quivers, with some also having different weapon arms to choose from. This means that a good variety of figures can be made. I have swapped some of the shields with ones from my spares box to add even greater variation. 

The new and colourful unit is shown below, a great addition to the Sultan's forces. In the last few pictures they are shown combined with Old Glory and Assault Group figures and they mix pretty well. The use of the red lance pennants helps to unify them all. As the Timariots were such a feature of Ottoman forces some more will undoubtedly be added. Warfare Miniatures also do versions of the Sipahis using their bows which I am very tempted by.

28mm Sipahis from Warfare Miniatures

Ottoman Sipahis

Early 16th Century Ottoman Sipahis

A view of the Sipahis from behind.

Two units of Sipahis, these figures are a mixture of Warfare Miniatures, Old Glory and The Assault Group.

Early 16th Century Ottoman Sipahis