Janissary Revolution

[Sir John A.]

WI any Janissary revolt in the long history of the Ottoman Empire escalates into a major revolution and instead of installing a new sultan, they decide to rule the Empire themselves?

Or a second scenario would be if the Janissaries apoint a Janissary Shogun, a supreme Janissary general to rule over the Empire, creating an Ottoman Shogunate? So, the office of Sultan would still exist but it would be reduced to a mere ceremonial title similar to the Japanese Emperor during the Shogunate?

I don't know enough about Ottoman history to suggest a POD so, how and when could these scenarios happen? Any other scenarios that would amke the Janissaries the supreme ruling class of the Empire?

And once they take over, how would they rule over the Empire? Or is the whole thing ASB?

[Dutchie]

That's funny... I just came across the Janissary Revolution and used it for my entry in the Map Contest... not that it answers your question, but I think it's a weird conicidence

http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showpost.php?p=1095036&postcount=10

[Max Sinister]

Or a second scenario would be if the Janissaries apoint a Janissary Shogun, a supreme Janissary general to rule over the Empire, creating an Ottoman Shogunate? So, the office of Sultan would still exist but it would be reduced to a mere ceremonial title similar to the Japanese Emperor during the Shogunate?

This was de facto the case for quite some time, with the Grand Viziers in place of a shogun. It just wasn't hereditary.

[Resat]

Good Idea, the Janissary Revolution!
One example you could use as a blueprint would be the Mameluk Empire in Egypt. The Mameluks were Slavesoldiers who took over the rule of the country. And as far as I can say the ruled the country quite effectively compared to their middle-eastern counterparts.

One major Issue would be the precise time of the revolution! If the uprising happens in the 14th-18th century the outcome of the new form of rule would differ from an uprising between mid 18th-19th century.

The early janissary corps was a center of invention and innovation. New methods of warfare (artillery, firearms, and strategy in general), we applied without hesitation and with great success.
In contrast one could say that the Corps became static in their late history and refused any kind of change. The Corps was infiltrated by born muslims and previously seldomly seen system of merit based advancement throughout the career of the soldier changed dramatically.

[Homer]

For those who like anti-ottoman timelines: The Janissary revolution could easily split the Empire, say the Sultan is kept in prison in Constantinople, yet a prince escapes to a distant province and puts up an army to reinstl the "right rule" or so, some other provinces could just revolt during the - potential - chaos, Egypt and Mesopotamia are good candidates for this, and then some foreign enemies could also use the chaos: Hapsburg, Persians, Russians...
Thus to destroy the Empire, add quite some chaos to the revolution and let it succeed only in parts.

For those who like more Ottoman-wank likes, it's even a better POD IMO: It's an easy entrance to a Non-hereditary rulership based on merit rather than birth, with pragmatic leaders open for innovation with the single goal to strengthen their state. Interestingly, soldiers don't tend to overextend their empires or troops, too...