Deli (troop)

Deli
A Deli (left) in a battle with a Hungarian soldier
ActiveMid. 15th century - 1829
Allegiance Ottoman Empire
TypeLight cavalry
RoleShock troops
Garrison/HQRumeli
Anatolia

Deli (from Turkish deli, meaning "mad, wild, daring") were a Turkish light cavalry unit within the Ottoman Empire. Their main role was to act as front-line shock troops, also acting as personal guards for high-level Ottoman officials in the Rumeli during peacetime.