Elite household guards, well armoured and equipped with maces, Qapukulu make for tough opponents in hand to hand combat.
Qapukulu, 'court slaves', are household cavalry regiments loyal to the Sultan. Formed from nobles' sons trained from a young age, the young men must pass entry examinations to join this corps. Once enrolled, these soldiers rank even above the Janissaries. These men are equipped with lances and maces, with both man and horse being armoured. Qapukulu are a match for any other cavalry in hand to hand combat.