Binbashi


A binbashi, alternatively bimbashi, is a major in the Turkish army, of which term originated in the Ottoman army. The title was also used for a major in the Khedivial Egyptian army as Bimbashi. It was also used by the Serbian revolutionaries as Bimbaša in 1804–1817.
Since the restructuring of the modern Turkish Army in 1934, Binbaşı means major; but in the Ottoman Army the more correct equivalent of the Western rank "major" was Kolağası, which ranked above Yüzbaşı and below Binbaşı.
When the rank Kolağası was removed from the Turkish Army in 1934, the rank Binbaşı was relegated to major Until 1934, it was the duty of a Binbaşı to command a battalion in the Ottoman armies; but since 1934, it is the duty of a Yarbay to command a battalion.
The collar mark and cap of a Binbaşı had two stripes and one star during the early years of the Turkish Republic.