Serasker, orseraskier (Ottoman Turkish:سرعسكر;Turkish pronunciation:[ˈseɾaskeɾ]), is a title formerly used in theOttoman Empire for avizier who commanded an army.
Following the suppression of theJanissaries in 1826, SultanMahmud II transferred the functions of the oldAgha of the Janissaries to theserasker. The latter now became a distinct office at the head of the Ottoman military, combining the functions of acommander-in-chief and aminister of war.[1] He also took over the Janissary Agha's former duties regarding the upkeep of order inIstanbul. Indeed, as the police system developed and expanded with the empire's progressive centralization, it became one of the main duties of theserasker until 1845, when policing became a separate agency.[1]
The seat of theserasker and his department (bab-i seraskeri, orserasker kapısı—"Gate of theserasker") initially was in theEski Saray, but these functions transferred to dedicated buildings in 1865. In 1879 the office was renamed to Ministry of War (Harbiye Nezareti) until 1890, when it reverted to its old name; it was finally renamed again to Ministry of War in 1908.[1]
Notableseraskers included:
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