What is "bostanji"

n. One of the imperial guards of the Ottoman Empire.

Bostanji, also Bostandji and Bostangi (from , literally "gardener" ), was one of the imperial guards of the Ottoman Empire. Bostanjis were mainly responsible for protecting the sultan's palace and its premises. The also guarded the seraglio and rowed the Sultan's barge. Their chief was called the Bostanji-bashi , and he had the rank of a pasha. The bostanji at one time numbered 3000, and were united with the janissaries in military duty. In war time their strength was 12,000. By the beginning of the 20th century their number was about 600.