Yataghan, a close-combat weapon widely used in the Ottoman Empire from the 16th to the late 19th century, with a unique form that distinguishes it from both swords and sabers, characterized by a single sharp edge, short length, and slight curvature. In addition to typically being an offensive weapon, it also held significance as a symbol indicating the owner's social status and wealth. Capable of both cutting and thrusting, this weapon is particularly known for its use by the Janissaries.

^{Embroidered Yataghan Sword - 19th Century (The Walters Art Museum)}

Historical Development

Within Ottoman sword forms, a distinct development has been observed since the second half of the 15th century. From the era of Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror (1451-1481), Ottoman swords began to acquire a distinctive character in terms of both form and functionality. The yataghan, with its unique form, is believed to have emerged in the second half of the 16th century and continued to be used without significant changes to its form until the 19th century.

The popularity of the yataghan increased, especially due to its connection with the Janissary Corps; from the 16th century onwards, it was regarded as one of the symbolic weapons of the Janissaries. In addition to the Ottoman army, it was also used in the empire's vast geography, including the Near East, the Balkans, and the Caucasus. However, with the increasing effectiveness of firearms, especially bayonets, on battlefields from the 1800s onwards, the importance and use of traditional swords like the yataghan gradually declined.

Theoretical Approaches and Classification

Due to its distinct shape, the yataghan does not fit entirely into either the sword or saber category; for this reason, it is examined under a separate heading in literature. Its name is thought to be derived from the way it "lies down" (yatar gibi) inside its scabbard. In classifications of Ottoman weapons, the yataghan is listed as a separate type alongside curved, double-edged, straight, and saber-like forms.

• Perception in Russian Literature: Within the context of the Russo-Turkish wars in the 18th and 19th centuries, the yataghan acquired a prominent place in Russian literature as a symbol of the Turkish soldier, particularly the Janissaries. In these works, the yataghan is presented as a reflection of the Turkish soldier's intimidating and "savage" nature. M. N. Zagoskin's Evening in Khopyor (1834) is the first known text where the yataghan is mentioned in Russian literature. It was followed in the same year by A. S. Pushkin's Kirdzhali and in 1835 by N. F. Pavlov's work titled Yataghan.

• Cultural Traces in the Balkans: The cultural impact of the yataghan can also be understood from the reliefs seen on 15th and 16th-century tombstones in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The sword and yataghan reliefs found on these tombstones, called "stećak," demonstrate the symbolic importance of the weapon in the region.

Physical Characteristics and Structure

A yataghan fundamentally consists of three main parts: the blade, the hilt, and the scabbard.

• Blade (Taban): The most distinctive feature of the yataghan is its single-edged and inwardly curved (reverse-curved) blade. This structure gives it superior capability for both cutting and thrusting. The blunt back of the blade is called the "sırt" (spine), while the sharp concave part is called "yalman." The blade usually features one or more "oluk" (blood grooves) to facilitate blood drainage and lighten the weapon.

• Hilt (Sap): The most characteristic part of the yataghan is its Y-shaped hilt, also referred to as "kulaklı" (eared). These ear-like extensions at the pommel expand sideways, preventing the weapon from slipping from the hand and providing wrist support for ease of use. Hilts were made from materials such as bone, ivory, horn, wood, and various metals. The form of the hilt, which was straighter in the 15th century, gained a more pronounced curve and protrusion over time.

• Scabbard: Yataghan scabbards were generally made by covering a wooden frame with leather or velvet. Parts such as the mouth, chape (metal piece at the tip), and carrying rings of the scabbard were made of metal.

Production Processes and Decoration

Yataghan production began with steel or iron blades shaped using forging techniques. Not only sword makers but also different artisans such as engravers (nakkaşlar), inlay masters (zernişanlar), and scabbard makers (niyamgeran) were involved in the decoration of the weapon.

Various techniques were used in the decoration of yataghans:

• Inlay (Kakma): Decorations made by embedding gold or silver wires onto the blade and hilt. Especially vegetal motifs and inscriptions were processed with this technique.

• Repoussé (Kabartma): A technique where metal sheets are hammered from the reverse side to create raised patterns on the front.

• Engraving (Kazıma): A technique where patterns are etched onto the blade or hilt using cutting tools.

• Stone Setting: The "murassa" technique, where weapons are adorned with precious stones such as rubies, emeralds, and turquoises.

Vegetal motifs (rumi, hatayi, leaf), geometric shapes, and inscriptions containing names of masters, owners, or verses are frequently found in decorations.

Examples

• Yataghan of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent: Located in the Topkapi Palace Museum, this yataghan is considered one of the notable examples of its kind. Its hilt is made of ivory, and on its base, there are sultanic titles believed to have been inscribed in commemoration of the Battle of Mohacs.

^{Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent's World's Largest Yataghan Sword (117 cm) - Man Walking Through History (Our Endowed Works with Man Walking Through History)}

• Koyunoğlu Museum Collection: The museum in Konya houses numerous yataghans dating from the 17th to the 19th century. The artifacts in this collection are important for demonstrating different materials and decoration techniques.

• Azerbaijan National History Museum Collection: This museum also displays yataghans from the Ottoman period, especially those with steel blades and ivory or horn hilts.