On the Flyssa, the Iflissen, and Janissary Recruitment in Ottoman Algiers

Emanuel · 15th February 2010, 05:11 PM

Hi Zifir,

Colombe did not include the records, but Shuval summarized them. I understand Deny (1920) did reproduce the actual records in his publication. I'll check.

Shuval shows the pay given for all ranks in saima at the beginning of the 18th century and in riyal at the end of the century.

1 saima = 50 aspres or akçe in Turkish
1 riyal = 232 aspres/akçe

yoldach (simple soldier) - 425 saima - 86 riyal
vekil khardj (corporal/sergent-major/cook) - 919 saima - 210 riyal
odabachi (lieutenant) - 646 saima - 325 riyal
bolukbachi (captain) - 2298 saima - 305 riyal
yayabachi (aga bachi/ commander) - 3377 saima - 325 riyal
agha - 5766 saima - 850 riyal

Not clear how often the pay was given out. Venture de Paradis explained this but I don't have the book at the moment. There is one mention that this was for two months. The actual purchasing power is not explained either. How much was 1 saima or riyal worth to a soldier at the time? How much was 1 akçe worth in Istanbul at the time?
Were these values subject to inflation? Can we compare 1 saima to 1 riyal?

Emanuel

15th February 2010, 05:11 PM	#5
Emanuel Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,242	Hi Zifir, Colombe did not include the records, but Shuval summarized them. I understand Deny (1920) did reproduce the actual records in his publication. I'll check. Shuval shows the pay given for all ranks in saima at the beginning of the 18th century and in riyal at the end of the century. 1 saima = 50 aspres or akçe in Turkish 1 riyal = 232 aspres/akçe yoldach (simple soldier) - 425 saima - 86 riyal vekil khardj (corporal/sergent-major/cook) - 919 saima - 210 riyal odabachi (lieutenant) - 646 saima - 325 riyal bolukbachi (captain) - 2298 saima - 305 riyal yayabachi (aga bachi/ commander) - 3377 saima - 325 riyal agha - 5766 saima - 850 riyal Not clear how often the pay was given out. Venture de Paradis explained this but I don't have the book at the moment. There is one mention that this was for two months. The actual purchasing power is not explained either. How much was 1 saima or riyal worth to a soldier at the time? How much was 1 akçe worth in Istanbul at the time? Were these values subject to inflation? Can we compare 1 saima to 1 riyal? Emanuel