Murtazeki (Guard) | |
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(Arabic: مرتزق) | |
Active | 1833–1859 |
Country | Caucasian Imamate Circassia |
Allegiance | imam |
Branch | Army |
Type | Infantry Cavalry |
Role | Border Troops, close protection |
Size | 1300 (1836), to 4000 (1843) |
Motto(s) | "There is no God but Allah" (Arabic: لا اله الا الله) |
Colors | |
Equipment | Shashka sabers daggers guns pistols |
Engagements |
|
Commanders | |
known commanders | Imam Shamil Shuaib-Mulla of Tsentara Muhammad Amin Asiyalav Akhberdil Muhammad Sultan-Murad Benoevsky |
Insignia | |
Identification symbol | Guard |
Murtazeki or Murtaziq (Arabic: مرتزق, lit. 'chosen, mercenary warrior') was a military formation of the Caucasian Imamate and Circassia. They were professional paid soldiers who made up the guards of the state. Initially organized by Shamil as a combat unit, the border troops, in peacetime, performed the functions of the police, and were also the personal guards of the imam. They were subdivided into tens, hundreds and five hundred; each of these parts had its own chief.