Streltsy

The Streltsy were a professional paramilitary corps in Muscovy and the early Russian Empire. Formed in the mid-16th century, they were primarily armed with arquebuses, hence their name, derived from the Russian word "strelets" meaning "shooter" or "archer." Initially, the Streltsy served as a vital component of the Tsar's military, providing a more permanent and disciplined force than the feudal levies. They played a significant role in defending Moscow and in various military campaigns.

The Streltsy were not just soldiers; they also had civic duties. They were granted land and served as a sort of police force within cities, maintaining order and acting as a fire brigade. Their social status was relatively high compared to ordinary peasants, and they often formed hereditary units. Over time, however, the Streltsy began to experience internal dissent and became increasingly involved in political intrigue, often siding with powerful boyar factions against the Tsar.

Their influence and loyalty became a source of concern for successive rulers. During the reign of Peter the Great, the Streltsy's resistance to his Westernizing reforms and their involvement in a major rebellion in 1698 led to their decisive suppression. Peter the Great viewed them as an outdated and unreliable military force. Following the rebellion, the Streltsy were disarmed, disbanded, and many were executed. Their former role in the military was eventually filled by a more modern, conscripted army organized along European lines.