Martolos ( Tur . Martolos , from the Greek. Armatolos - "armed guard") - internal guard units in the Balkan provinces of the Ottoman Empire (in Rumelia ), were most common between the 15th and 17th centuries. In the most remote areas of Macedonia, the martolosa continued to operate until the Tanzimat era . As a rule, Martolos were recruited from the ranks of the local Orthodox population , less often from Muslim converts . They had significant privileges and exemptions from many taxes, including jizyu and haraj .
Responsibilities
In different sanjaks, various tasks were assigned to the martolos, most often found:
- police functions, patrolling, search and detention of criminals;
- the fight against the guides ;
- protection of fortresses, bridges, roads, mines;
- auxiliary assistance in military campaigns;
- border guard;
- assistance to tax collectors.
Related Categories
- warriors
- artholes
- derbenji