Tofangchi
| Tofangchi | |
|---|---|
A tofangchi during the reign of Abbas the Great. Painting by Habib-Allah Mashadi, dated c. 1600. Museum of Islamic Art, Berlin | |
| Founded | 1516 |
| Country | Iran |
| Type | Mostly Infantry, rarely cavalry |
| Role | Standing professional military |
| Size | 8,000 (1517) 15,000–20,000 (1521) 20,000, 50,000 or 60,000 (between 1587–1629) 40,000–50,000 (between 1642–1666) 10,000 (1797) |
| Equipment | Musket |
| Commanders | |
| Commander | Tofangchi-aghasi |
A tofangchi (Persian: تفنگچی, lit. 'rifle-person') was a musketeer contingent in early modern Iran. They were mostly recruited from the Iranian-speaking peasantry.