Janissar-Agasi. Commander-in-chief of the Janissaries.
Janissaries (Turk, ieni tcheri, “new soldiers”). An order of infantry in the Turkish army: originally prisoners trained to arms; were first organized by Orcan, about 1330, and remodeled by his son Amurath I., 1360; their numbers being increased by following sultans. In later days they degenerated from their strict discipline, and several times deposed the sultan. During an insurrection, June 14-15, 1826, when nearly 3000 of them were killed, the Ottoman army was reorganized, and a firman was issued on June 17 abolishing the Janissaries.
Januarius, Order of St. An order of knighthood founded by King Charles of Sicily (afterwards Charles III. of Spain) on July 6, 1738. It was abolished after the French invasion of 1806, and re-introduced in 1814. The badge is a gold octagonal white and red enameled cross, with gold lilies in the upper and side angles. The obverse represents St. Januarius in episcopal robes with an open book. The round middle of the reverse shows a golden open book, and two phials partly filled with blood. The knights are either Cavalieri di Giustizia, who must count four noble generations, or Cavalieri di Grazia.
Japan. An Asiatic empire, composed of Japan, or Niphon, and 3850 isles, with nearly 40,000,000 inhabitants. For military events in Japan, see separate articles in this book.
Jargeau. A town of France, in the department Loiret, 10 miles from Orleans. This place was taken, after a short siege, by the Earl of Salisbury, in 1428.
Jarnac. A town of France, situated on the Charente. The Protestants under Coligny and the Prince of Condé were defeated near Jarnac in 1659, when the latter was slain.
Jassy, or Yassy. The chief town of Moldavia, and the residence of the hospodar or prince of that country. Jassy has been frequently taken by the Russians, but it has always been restored at the conclusion of each war with Turkey. In 1822 it was burned by the Janissaries, from which disaster it has never recovered.
Jauts, or Jats. A people of Hindostan, who have at different times made some figure in its annals. The first historical mention of them occurs in the beginning of the 11th century, on the invasion of India by Mahmoud the Gaznevide, when they were completely defeated and driven into the mountainous districts of the interior of India. We find them afterwards, under the growing imbecility of Aurungzebe’s successors, continually extending their conquests. They suffered a reverse, however, at the hands of Ahmed Shah, the sovereign of Cabul, who invaded Northern India, and overran a great portion of their territory. The Jaut chief afterwards became an ally of Ahmed Shah, having treacherously betrayed his former allies, the Mahrattas, at the battle of Paniput, January 14, 1761. When the British power became predominant, the rajah of the Jauts, Rungeet Sing, sought security by concluding a treaty by which he agreed to assist England against all enemies, and by this means he retained the government of his territories. In 1808, however, on the defeat of Holkar by the British, he received into Bhurtpore the discomfited army. The city was besieged, and cost the British an immense number of lives; but at length, despairing of effectual resistance, the rajah agreed to compel Holkar to quit the place. For this breach of the terms of the treaty he was compelled by the English to pay a heavy fine. Disputes about the succession to the throne afterwards led to the interference of the British, and the hitherto impregnable fortress of Bhurtpore was taken by Lord Combermere, January 18, 1826, after a desperate resistance on the part of the Jauts.
Java. A large island in the Eastern Archipelago; is said to have been reached by the Portuguese in 1511, and by the Dutch in 1595. The latter, who now possess it, built Batavia, the capital, about 1619. The atrocious massacre of 20,000 of the unarmed natives by the Dutch, sparing neither women nor children, to possess their effects, took place in 1740. The island capitulated to the British, September 18, 1811; but it was restored to Holland in 1814.
Javelin (Lat. pilum). A short and light spear used for darting against an enemy. In the ancient Roman legions, the first and second lines were armed with them, and in those days they were considered excellent offensive weapons.