The Ottoman army's formation was a well-organized system. It was first seen in the Battle of Kosovo in 1389 against the Serbians. The army had around 40 to 50,000 soldiers. This was a significant increase from the 5,000-strong army led by Osman Ghazi at the start of the century.
The army was divided into different groups. These groups included the marcher lords, the provincial army, and the Sultan's household troops. The marcher lords were responsible for leading the army's wings. The provincial army was made up of local soldiers who were stationed in different regions. The Sultan's household troops were the most elite group and were stationed in the center of the army.
The army's formation was designed to work together. The Azap light infantry were at the front. Their job was to slow down the enemy in the middle of the battlefield. The other units of the army would then attack from the sides. The heavy and medium ranks of the timariot sipahi cavalry were stationed on the wings. They were joined by akinci light cavalry on the far wings. The kapikulu corps of the elite Janissary infantry and heavy Sipahi cavalry were stationed in the rear and used only after the entire army had engaged the enemy.
