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Thread: Ottoman Peiks & similar Persians & Mughals

  1. #1

    Question Ottoman Peiks & similar Persians & Mughals

    The Ottomans had a bodyguard/messenger called a Peik (Peyk) who would march before the Sultan. They usually carried a small axe as illustrated in a Peyk by Nicolas de Nicolay with bells attached to garters & sash.
    Ottoman miniatures:
    Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent during the Siege of Estolnibelgrad in Hungary, 1543
    Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent during the campaign on Nachivan in the South Caucasus, 1554
    Sultan Selim - riding between Kutahya and Belgrade, en route to join the Imperial Army
    Three figures in Departure from the palace of the army for the war, Nusretname, 1578
    The Ottoman Army at Tiflis, Nusretname, 1578

    This position may have been from a wider cultural tradition. Nicolas de Nicolay also illustrated a Peyk of the Persian nation.
    Some Persian miniatures with a similar character:
    The Old Woman complaining to Sultan Sanjar, from a 1539-43 Khamsa by Nizami
    The Death of Zahhak from the Shahnama of Shah Tahmasp, c. 1522-1540
    A royal usher from Dr. Kaempfer's Album of Persian Costumes and Animals

    Mughal miniatures with a similar character:
    Prince Riding Prancing Horse
    Foray to Kuhat, from the Baburnama
    Babur visiting the Urvah valley in Gwalior
    Meeting between Babur and Sultan 'Ali Mirza near Samarqand
    Babur and his army emerge from the Khwaja Didar Fort, Baburnama
    1502, Babur advancing through the mountains to Kabul
    Adham Khan pays homage to Akbar at Sarangpur, 1561, Akbarnama (upper left)
    Flight of Sultan Bahadur During Humayun's Campaign in Gujarat, 1535, Akbarnama
    Prince Akbar Hunting a Nilgae, c.1555 - 1560
    Toda Mongke and His Mongol Horde, from a Chingiznama (History of Genghis Khan), painted 1596

    What are the names for these Persian and Mughal Peik-like figures?

    Are these related to a Mongol practice?:
    Hulâgu and his envoy (ilèi) leading his army against the castles of the Assassins includes a footman in front who seems to carry a paiza, a sign that identifies persons on official duty.

    MIRROR SITES
    Illustrations of Ottoman Costume & Soldiers
    Illustrations of Persian Costume & Soldiers
    Illustrations of Moghul Costume & Soldiers
    Hulâgu and his envoy (ilèi) leading his army against the castles of the Assassins from the Diez Album.

    Druzhina
    Illustrations of Costume & Soldiers

  2. #2

    Default Re: Ottoman Peiks & similar Persians & Mughals

    Peiks were postmen in Ottoman Empire but they weren't using horses. They were chosen from best runners, they had bells in their legs, they were sometime yelling when they run. They always had candy bags and rose-water with them. they were eating candies and drinking rose-water when they need glucose. When they get retire they were living like kings. They were well respected people in Ottoman Empire.

    Btw, according to Ottoman sources, they can run from Topkapi Palace to Edirne Palace (156 km) and return back to Topkapi Palace in 24 hours.

  3. #3

    Default Re: Ottoman Peiks & similar Persians & Mughals

    I have had a reply from RaiTo at militaryphotos.net forum:
    Peyk is persian in origin. Peykis means Messenger or someone who delivers.

    In modern Iran we still call delivery workers as "peyk`is". and their service as "Peyk".

    In Ancient Persia, Peykis would deliver the Post (Systematic Post Networks is a ancient persian invention, even the word is Persian).

    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mail
    "Post is derived from the Persian language or Farsi word "Post" (پست), which refers to sending a message to which an answer is expected, while a one way message was named "payam" in that same language. According to Persian history or mythology, mail was instated and used by people who weren't Hakhai or Hakha Manesh, now better known as Achaemenid."
    Druzhina
    Persian Illustrations of Costume & Soldiers

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