The Streltsy

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Focusing on the unique history of the Russian streltsy, this book explores their role as the first permanent standing infantry in Russia, formed by Ivan the Terrible. Known for their resistance to western influences, they served as a formidable military force in the 16th and 17th centuries, often positioned close to the tsar. However, their rejection of modernization and violent opposition to Peter the Great culminated in a failed rebellion, resulting in their dissolution from the army by 1720, marking a significant shift in Russian military history.