Historically, the Yeniçeri or Janissary Corps (the term means “new soldiers”) dates back to the 14th century and were intended to replace the unreliable tribal warriors with a force indoctrinated to be completely loyal to the Sultan. This was achieved by taking boys as young as five for training and conversion to Islam if required. Janissaries had their own corps of engineers, supply troops and were even paid regularly. Over time, however, they came to be used as bureaucrats and administrators, and this gave them too much power over the Ottoman Empire. Eventually, the Janissaries’ entrenched position in government became arrogance and an entrenched position against change, and so helped the Ottomans to stagnate and decline.