Streltsy

The Streltsy (Russian: стрельцы́, IPA: [strʲɪlʲˈtsɨ], lit. "shooters") were units of Russian guardsmen ( infantry armed with firearms ) from the 16th to the early 18th centuries, equipped with arquebuses or muskets. They were also known as strelki (стрелки).

Initially, the Streltsy were recruited from the free classes and constituted a part-time military service. They received some pay, but were also allowed to pursue trades and crafts to supplement their income. They lived in their own settlements or slobodas, also receiving special tax exemptions. The Streltsy were originally created by Ivan the Terrible in the mid-16th century, and their establishment marked a significant step in the modernization of the Russian army.

The Streltsy were organized into regiments, each commanded by a Colonel (головы, golovy). They served as both garrison troops in towns and participated in military campaigns. While effective in combat, they were also known for their involvement in political intrigues and uprisings, particularly in the late 17th century, such as the Moscow Uprising of 1682, which brought Peter the Great to power, and the Streltsy Uprising of 1698.

Following the Streltsy Uprising of 1698, Peter the Great gradually disbanded the Streltsy, replacing them with a modern, regular army based on the Western European model. Many Streltsy were executed, and the remaining units were dispersed throughout Russia. The final Streltsy regiments were officially disbanded in 1701. Although they disappeared, the term "Streltsy" became associated with rebellion and resistance to reform in Russian history. The memory of the Streltsy influenced later military and political developments in Russia.