kalkanlar
Kalkanlar is the Turkish term for shields, the protective devices carried by soldiers to defend the body from blows and projectiles. The word kalkan is singular; kalkanlar is the plural form. Shields have appeared in many cultures throughout history, and in Turkish and Ottoman contexts they are associated with both battlefield use and ceremonial or symbolic imagery.
Construction and varieties have varied by era and culture. Traditional kalkanlar were typically made with a
Function and use extend beyond protection. In warfare, shields were used to form defense lines, to absorb
Kalkanlar thus cover a broad category of protective devices, reflecting both practical military needs and cultural