Murtazeki

Murtazeki (Guard)
(Arabic: مرتزق)
Shamil's prayer before the fight. Murtazeks on horseback.
Active	1833–1859
Country	Caucasian Imamate Circassia
Allegiance	imam
Branch	Army
Type	Infantry Cavalry
Role	Border Troops, close protection
Size	1300 (1836), to 4000 (1843)
Motto(s)	"There is no God but Allah" (Arabic: لا اله الا الله)
Colors
Equipment	Shashka sabers daggers guns pistols
Engagements	Battle of Gimry (1832) Battle of Argvani(1839) Siege of Akhoulgo (1839) Battle of the Valerik River (1840) Battle of Ichkeria (1842) Battle of Dargo (1845) Battle of Ghunib (1859)
Commanders
known commanders	Imam Shamil Shuaib-Mulla of Tsentara Muhammad Amin Asiyalav Akhberdil Muhammad Sultan-Murad Benoevsky
Insignia
Identification symbol	Guard

Murtazeki or Murtaziq (Arabic: مرتزق‎, lit. 'chosen, mercenary warrior') was a military formation of the Caucasian Imamate and Circassia. They were professional paid soldiers who made up the guards of the state. Initially organized by Shamil as a combat unit, the border troops, in peacetime, performed the functions of the police, and were also the personal guards of the imam. They were subdivided into tens, hundreds and five hundred; each of these parts had its own chief.