Results 1 to 7 of 7

Thread: Ottoman Peiks & similar Persians & Mughals

  1. #1

    Default Ottoman Peiks & similar Persians & Mughals

    The Ottomans had a bodyguard/messenger called a Peik (Peyk) who would march before the Sultan. They usually carried a small axe as illustrated in a Peyk by Nicolas de Nicolay with bells attached to garters & sash.
    Ottoman miniatures:
    Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent during the Siege of Estolnibelgrad in Hungary, 1543
    Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent during the campaign on Nachivan in the South Caucasus, 1554
    Sultan Selim - riding between Kutahya and Belgrade, en route to join the Imperial Army
    Three figures in Departure from the palace of the army for the war, Nusretname, 1578
    The Ottoman Army at Tiflis, Nusretname, 1578

    This position may have been from a wider cultural tradition. Nicolas de Nicolay also illustrated a Peyk of the Persian nation.
    Some Persian miniatures with a similar character:
    The Old Woman complaining to Sultan Sanjar, from a 1539-43 Khamsa by Nizami
    The Death of Zahhak from the Shahnama of Shah Tahmasp, c. 1522-1540
    A royal usher from Dr. Kaempfer's Album of Persian Costumes and Animals

    Mughal miniatures with a similar character:
    Prince Riding Prancing Horse
    Foray to Kuhat, from the Baburnama
    Babur visiting the Urvah valley in Gwalior
    Meeting between Babur and Sultan 'Ali Mirza near Samarqand
    Babur and his army emerge from the Khwaja Didar Fort, Baburnama
    1502, Babur advancing through the mountains to Kabul
    Adham Khan pays homage to Akbar at Sarangpur, 1561, Akbarnama (upper left)
    Flight of Sultan Bahadur During Humayun's Campaign in Gujarat, 1535, Akbarnama
    Prince Akbar Hunting a Nilgae, c.1555 - 1560
    Toda Mongke and His Mongol Horde, from a Chingiznama (History of Genghis Khan), painted 1596

    What are the names for these Persian and Mughal Peik-like figures?

    Are these related to a Mongol practice?:
    Hulâgu and his envoy (ilči) leading his army against the castles of the Assassins includes a footman in front who seems to carry a paiza, a sign that identifies persons on official duty.

    MIRROR SITES
    Illustrations of Ottoman Costume & Soldiers
    Illustrations of Persian Costume & Soldiers
    Illustrations of Moghul Costume & Soldiers
    Hulâgu and his envoy (ilči) leading his army against the castles of the Assassins from the Diez Album.

    Druzhina345
    Illustrations of Costume & Soldiers
    Last edited by druzhina345; September 26, 2018 at 01:17 AM.

  2. #2
    Praeses
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    Australia
    Posts
    8,355

    Default Re: Ottoman Peiks & similar Persians & Mughals

    Roman officials were proceeded by a lictor bearing rods and axes, as a sign of the right to mete punishment.

    I'm not suggesting the Persians or Mongols adopted this practice from Rome, just that an attendant preceeding an important person is hardly Mongol or Persian specific.
    Jatte lambastes Calico Rat

  3. #3

    Default Re: Ottoman Peiks & similar Persians & Mughals

    I have had a reply from RaiTo at militaryphotos.net forum:
    Peyk is persian in origin. Peykis means Messenger or someone who delivers.

    In modern Iran we still call delivery workers as "peyk`is". and their service as "Peyk".

    In Ancient Persia, Peykis would deliver the Post (Systematic Post Networks is a ancient persian invention, even the word is Persian).

    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mail
    "Post is derived from the Persian language or Farsi word "Post" (پست), which refers to sending a message to which an answer is expected, while a one way message was named "payam" in that same language. According to Persian history or mythology, mail was instated and used by people who weren't Hakhai or Hakha Manesh, now better known as Achaemenid."
    Druzhina345
    Persian Illustrations of Costume & Soldiers
    Last edited by druzhina345; September 26, 2018 at 01:19 AM.

  4. #4

    Default Re: Ottoman Peiks & similar Persians & Mughals

    I believe Peik or Peyk literally means satellite, like something turning around being around of a bigger object. Like Earth and satellites turning around it.
    In tribute to concerned friends:
    - You know nothing Jon Snow.





    Samples from the Turkish Cuisine by white-wolf

  5. #5

    Default Re: Ottoman Peiks & similar Persians & Mughals

    In what language?

    Druzhina345
    Ottoman Illustrations of Costume & Soldiers
    Last edited by druzhina345; February 11, 2018 at 11:21 PM.

  6. #6

    Default Re: Ottoman Peiks & similar Persians & Mughals

    Ottoman, Turkish.
    In tribute to concerned friends:
    - You know nothing Jon Snow.





    Samples from the Turkish Cuisine by white-wolf

  7. #7
    Indefinitely Banned
    Join Date
    Nov 2014
    Location
    Beautiful Cursed Land
    Posts
    46

    Default Re: Ottoman Peiks & similar Persians & Mughals

    Quote Originally Posted by white-wolf View Post
    I believe Peik or Peyk literally means satellite, like something turning around being around of a bigger object. Like Earth and satellites turning around it.
    no your wrong.
    well in Ancient persian (that also was formal ottomon language for many early years, also infuleced turkish language specially turks of Azerbayjan and Anatolian ones alot),
    Peyk means Messenger . means courier. means ambassad or too. even it has use in Modern Persian but less.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •