Akıncı ocağı of organization in Ottoman military

Akincilik used to be an Ottoman military establishment which was founded in the early period of the Ottoman state, comprising freelance light cavalry. This name was given to the Akıncıs because of their very high ability to mobilize and maneuver at a short notice. Akıncıs were usually deployed near the frontiers of the state borders and by the order of the state authorities they used to raid enemy positions before the all-out war started and capture significant amount of booty as well as slaves. Akıncıs also served as an intelligent unit by collecting and providing information to state about the strategic roads, lands in the enemy territory and about the volume military force of the enemy. These freelance light cavalry or akıncı forces descended from the close warrior friends of Osman Gazi, their lineage and from famous commanders. Since becoming an akıncı was inherited from the father, the people descending from other families were accepted to the force only under the special circumstances. Akıncıs were deployed in the frontiers and in the tows which were regarded as strategically important. Headquarters of the each akıncı commanders became important towns. The numbers of akıncıs varied according to the need for them in different periods. Their numbers reached up to a hundred thousand. However, after a serious defeat in 1595 their numbers as well as their importance diminished significantly. Serhat Kulu forces replaced the Akıncıs and after this date Crimean Tatars were commissioned to conduct the raids and related duties. Their numbers gradually decreased and akinchk only survived in name for while. Finally, Akıncı Establishment were closed down in 1826.