Editing Musketeer

{{Short description|Type of soldier equipped with a musket}}
{{For|other uses of this term|Musketeer (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2019}}[[File:放迅雷銃圖.png|thumb|[[Ming dynasty|Ming]] gunman using multi barreled repeating firearm in 1598]]A '''musketeer''' ({{langx|fr|mousquetaire}} {{IPA|fr|muskətɛʁ||LL-Q150 (fra)-Jérémy-Günther-Heinz Jähnick-mousquetaire.wav}}) was a type of [[soldier]] equipped with a [[musket]]. Musketeers were an important part of [[early modern warfare]], particularly in Europe, as they normally comprised the majority of their infantry. The musketeer was a precursor to the [[rifleman]]. Muskets were replaced by breech loading rifles as the almost universal firearm for modern armies during the period 1850 to 1870. The traditional designation of "musketeer" for an infantry private survived in the [[Imperial German Army]] until [[World War I]].

==Historical antecedents==
The [[hand cannon]] was invented in [[Song dynasty|Song dynasty China]] in the 12th century and was in widespread use there in the 13th century. It spread westward across Asia during the 14th century. The hand cannon evolved into the [[arquebus]] that appeared in Europe and the [[Ottoman Empire]] during the 15th century. The term [[musket]] was originally used to describe a heavy arquebus capable of penetrating heavy armor. Although this heavy version of the musket fell out of use after the mid-16th century with the decline of heavy armor, the term "musket" remained as a general descriptor and lent its name to the infantry type known as the musketeer.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Arnold |first1=Thomas |title=The Renaissance at War |date=2001 |publisher=Cassell & Co |isbn=0-304-35270-5 |pages=75-78}}</ref>

==Musketeers in early modern Europe==
Musketeers are primarily associated with infantry in early modern Europe, and were employed by many European nations.

===Spain===
[[File:1650 - tercio arquebuse2.jpg|thumb|A ''[[tercio]]'' musketeer c. 1650|247x247px]]
In the [[Spanish army]], the ''[[tercio]]'' or the ''Spanish square'' was a mixed infantry formation that theoretically could number up to 3,000 pikemen, swordsmen and musketeers; although it was usually much smaller on the battlefield. It was effective in its era, capitalizing on the close-quarter impact of the pike combined with the long-range projectile capabilities of the musket. It resembled a loosely formed [[phalanx formation|phalanx]] in function, but was far more flexible and deadly. Musketeers were developed by the Spanish during the [[Italian Wars]] so as to deal with the [[Plate armour|heavily armored]] [[Gendarme (historical)|French Gendarmes]]. An [[arquebus]] was not powerful enough to take down an armored knight, but a [[wall gun]] was. Spanish field commanders wanted to bring the firepower of a small wall gun onto the battlefield yet have it be as maneuverable as an arquebus. The solution was a bigger arquebus, but the additional weight made it extremely difficult to support the barrel during aiming and firing; hence, the musket rest, the precursor to the [[Weapon mount#Monopod|monopod]].<ref>{{cite book
|last1=Marek y Villarino de Brugge
|first1=Don André
|title=Discourse on Spanish Musketry in the Late 16th Century 
|date=2022
|edition=Revised
|page=19
|location=Norwalk
|isbn=979-8429737126
}}</ref> Furthermore, musketeers were the first infantry to give up armor entirely.<ref>{{cite book
|last1=Marek y Villarino de Brugge
|first1=Don André
|title=Discourse on Spanish Musketry in the Late 16th Century 
|date=2022
|edition=Revised
|page=43
|location=Norwalk
|isbn=979-8429737126
}}</ref> Other than the musket rest, the musketeer's equipage was upgraded from a powder flask to a [[bandolier]]. Due to the difficulty in manipulating the musket rest and the strength needed to handle the heavier gun, musketeers were stronger men and paid more than the rest of the infantry.<ref>{{cite book
|last1=Parker
|first1=Geoffrey
|title=The Army of Flanders and the Spanish Road
|date=1972
|publisher=Cambridge University Press
|page=274
}}</ref>

===France===
[[File:Mousquetaires du roi.jpg|thumb|Uniforms of Musketeers of the Guard, 1660–1814]]
The [[Musketeers of the Guard]] were a junior unit, initially of roughly company strength, of the [[military branch]] of the [[Maison du Roi|Royal Household]]. They were created in 1622 when [[Louis XIII of France|Louis XIII]] furnished a company of [[light cavalry]] (the "[[Carabinier#French Carabiniers-à-Cheval|carabiniers]]", created by Louis' father [[Henry IV of France|Henry IV]]) with muskets. Musketeers fought in battle both on foot as infantry and on horseback as [[dragoons]].<ref>{{cite book
|first=Rene
|last=Chartrand
|pages=8, 15
|publisher=Osprey Publishing
|year=2013
|title=French Musketeer 1622–1775
|isbn=9781780968612}}</ref> At the [[Battle of Fontenoy]] in 1745 the King's Musketeers served as regular cavalry, charging British infantry with drawn swords.

As one of the junior units in the Royal Guard, the Musketeers were not closely linked to the royal family. Traditional bodyguard duties were in fact performed by the {{lang|fr|[[Garde du Corps (France)|Garde du Corps]]}} and the {{lang|fr|[[Swiss Guards|Cent-suisses]]}}. Because of its later establishment, the Musketeers were open to the lower classes of French nobility or younger sons from noble families whose oldest sons served in the more prestigious {{lang|fr|Garde du Corps}} and {{lang|fr|Chevau-legers}} (Light Horse). The Musketeers, many of them still teenagers, soon gained a reputation for fighting spirit and unruly behaviour.<ref>{{cite book|first=Rene|last=Chartrand|pages=22–23|title=French Musketeer 1622–1775|date= 2013|publisher=Bloomsbury USA |isbn=978-1-78096-861-2}}</ref>

Their high esprit de corps gained royal favor for the Musketeers, and they were frequently seen at court and in Paris. Shortly after their creation, [[Cardinal Richelieu]] created a bodyguard unit for himself. So as not to offend the king with a perceived sense of self-importance, Richelieu did not name them Garde du Corps like the king's personal guards, but rather Musketeers after the Kings' junior guard cavalry. This was the start of a bitter rivalry between the two corps of Musketeers. At the cardinal's death in 1642, the company passed to his successor [[Cardinal Mazarin]]. At Mazarin's death in 1661, the Cardinal's Musketeers passed to [[Louis XIV of France|Louis XIV]], contrary to the wishes of both the King's Musketeers and the Cardinal's Musketeers themselves. The Musketeers were subsequently reorganized as a guard cavalry regiment of two companies. The King's Musketeers became the first company, popularly known as "Grey Musketeers" ({{lang|fr|mousquetaires gris}}), while the Cardinal's Musketeers became the second company, known as "Black Musketeers" ({{lang|fr|mousquetaires noirs}}) for riding grey and black horses, respectively. From their establishment, the musketeers wore blue cloak-like cassocks, lined with red and edged with silver embroidery. From 1688, the cassocks were replaced by smaller {{lang|fr|soubrevestes}} or sleeveless coats in the same colours. In the early decades of the corps, the musketeers had worn civilian dress under their cassocks, according to personal taste and means, but in 1677 a scarlet uniform was adopted.<ref>{{cite book|first=Rene|last=Chartrand
|page=40
|title=French Musketeer 1622–1775
|isbn=9781780968612
|publisher=Osprey Publishing
|year=2013}}</ref>

[[File:Statue d'Artagnan Paris.jpg|thumb|[[D'Artagnan]]'s monument in Paris]]

In terms of recruitment, entry into the Musketeers was much sought after by those sons of the aristocracy who did not possess the [[Quarters of nobility|quarterings of nobility]] required for the {{lang|fr|Garde du Corps}} and {{lang|fr|Chevau-legers}}.<ref>{{cite book|first=Rene|last=Chartrand|page=18|title=French Musketeer 1622–1775|date= 2013|publisher=Bloomsbury USA |isbn=978-1-78096-861-2}}</ref> These two senior guard units were closed to all but the highest ranking and wealthy noble families. Accordingly for lesser gentry, or ambitious commoners, service in the Musketeers was the only way to join a mounted unit in the royal household and perhaps catch the King's eye. However, enlistment did require both letters of recommendation and evidence that a recruit had the family means to support the costs of service. These included the provision of horses, swords, clothing, a servant and equipment. Only the musket, the sleeveless soubreveste and the distinctive blue cassock were provided by the monarch.<ref>{{cite book|first=Rene|last=Chartrand|pages=23, 28|title=French Musketeer 1622–1775|date= 2013|publisher=Bloomsbury USA |isbn=978-1-78096-861-2}}</ref>

In 1776, the Musketeers were disbanded by [[Louis XVI of France|Louis XVI]] for budgetary reasons. Following the first Bourbon Restoration, the Musketeers were reestablished on 6 July 1814 along with the other military units of the former royal household. These expensive and aristocratic regiments proved ineffective when [[Napoleon]] returned from Elba, mostly dispersing, though some accompanied [[Louis XVIII]] into brief exile. Following the second restoration of the monarchy, the Musketeers were finally disbanded on 31 December 1815.<ref>{{cite book|first=Rene|last=Chartrand|page=23|title=French Musketeer 1622–1775|date= 2013|publisher=Bloomsbury USA |isbn=978-1-78096-861-2}}</ref>

Decades later, starting in 1844, this group was the subject of the now-famous serial publication ''[[The Three Musketeers]]'', first published in the magazine {{lang|fr|Le Siècle}} between March and July 1844. The author, [[Alexandre Dumas, père]], based his work on the book {{lang|fr|Mémoires de [[Monsieur d'Artagnan]], capitaine lieutenant de la première compagnie des Mousquetaires du Roi}} (''Memoirs of Mister d'Artagnan, lieutenant captain of the first company of the King's Musketeers'') by [[Gatien de Courtilz de Sandras]] (Cologne, 1700),<ref>{{cite book|first=Rene|last=Chartrand|pages=6–7|title=French Musketeer 1622–1775|date= 2013|publisher=Bloomsbury USA |isbn=978-1-78096-861-2}}</ref> a fictionalized account of the life of [[Charles de Batz de Castelmore d'Artagnan]] (c. 1611–1673). Other musketeers served as inspirations for some of the other characters. [[Isaac de Porthau]] (1617–1712) was the inspiration for Dumas's character [[Porthos]]. Jean-Armand du Peyrer, [[Comte de Troisville]] (1598–1672), was fictionalized as Monsieur de Tréville.

Other Musketeers include:
* [[Bénigne Dauvergne de Saint-Mars]] (died 1708), better known as the jailor of the [[Man in the Iron Mask]]
* [[Pierre de Montesquiou d'Artagnan]] (1640–1725), later a Marshal of France
* [[Jean-François Leriget de La Faye]] (1674–1731)
* [[Louis de Rouvroy, duc de Saint-Simon]] (1675–1755)
* [[Germain-François Poullain de Saint-Foix]] (1698–1776), later a writer and playwright
* [[Thomas de Treil de Pardailhan]] (1754–1822)
* [[François-Henri de Franquetot de Coigny]] (1737–1821), later a Marshal of France
* [[Alexandre de Beauharnais]] (1760–1794), first husband of the future Empress Josephine
* [[Charles Sevin de Quincy]] (1660–1738), ''sous-brigadier des mousquetaires noirs'' (1689), later lieutenant-general and historian[[File:Jacob de Gheyn - Wapenhandelinge 4.jpg|thumb|A Dutch musketeer, holding a [[musket]]; painting by [[Jacob de Gheyn II|Jacob van Gheyn]] in 1608]]

=== Netherlands ===
Muskets began to appear in the Netherlands in the mid-16th century, during a time of growing conflict between the Dutch provinces and Spanish rule. These early firearms were matchlock muskets, which required a burning match to ignite the gunpowder. The Dutch rebels, also known as the [[Geuzen]], adapted muskets for their guerrilla tactics during the early phases of the [[Eighty Years' War]]. A pivotal figure in the development of musket tactics in the Netherlands was [[Maurice, Prince of Orange|Maurice of Nassau]], the Dutch military commander and prince who led the Dutch forces during much of the war. By the late 17th century, musket technology continued to evolve, with flintlock mechanisms gradually replacing the older matchlock designs. The Dutch military adapted these newer technologies but also faced increasing challenges from other European powers like France and England.

===Sweden===
[[Swedish allotment system|Thanks to the reforms]] of [[Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden|Gustav II Adolf]], the [[Swedish Army]] brought to maturity the new style of fighting that made Sweden into a great power in the 17th century. This style of fighting became the new standard throughout Europe and its colonies in the latter stages of musket dominated warfare. Manuals based on Gustav's own revolutionised the training and tactics of western armies.{{citation needed|date=December 2016}}

===Britain===
[[File:An heraldic supporter. A Pikeman of the Honourable Artillery Company, in sand.jpg|thumb|upright=0.7|A heraldic supporter: a musketeer of the [[Honourable Artillery Company]], in sand, 19th century]]
The iconic "[[Red coat (British army)|Redcoat]]" of the [[British Empire]] was the staple unit in the British armies that created the largest empire in history. The British infantryman was equipped with the .75 calibre [[Land Pattern Musket]], or Brown Bess. He was well trained by the standards of the time, training with live ammunition. A fully trained redcoat could fire four times a minute. This, combined with the technique of firing by companies (a method wherein blocks of men fired smaller volleys in succession, creating a wave of fire down the front of the regiment), made it possible for the British musketeer to win pitched battles against superior numbers.{{citation needed|date=December 2016}}

The term "musketeer" was rarely used in the titles of regiments. Examples include the [[106th Regiment of Foot (Black Musqueteers)]], the [[110th Regiment of Foot (Queen's Royal Musqueteers)]] and the [[112th Regiment of Foot (King's Royal Musqueteers)]], all raised and disbanded in the 1760s.

The musket was withdrawn from service with the British Army in 1854, replaced by the muzzle-loading [[Minié rifle]], which had an accurate range of over three times that of the Brown Bess which it replaced.<ref>R. M. Barnes, ''A History of the Regiments & Uniforms of the British Army'', Sphere Books, p. 95.</ref>

==Musketeers in Asia==

[[File:Ming musketeers.jpg|thumb|Musketeers in China from the [[Ming dynasty]], 1638.]]{{Expand section|date=October 2024}}

===Ottoman Empire===
[[File:Knotel-Janissaries.jpg|thumb|right|upright=0.7|An illustration of Janissaries.]]
The [[Janissary]] corps of the [[Military of the Ottoman Empire|Ottoman army]] were using [[matchlock]] muskets as early as the 1440s.<ref name=Nicolle>{{cite book| last = Nicolle| first = David| author-link = David Nicolle| title = The Janissaries| url = https://archive.org/details/janissaries00nico| url-access = limited| publisher = [[Osprey]]| year = 1995| page = [https://archive.org/details/janissaries00nico/page/n22 22]| isbn = 1-85532-413-X}}</ref> The [[Ottoman Empire]], centering on [[Turkey]] and extending into [[Balkans]], [[Arabia]] and [[North Africa]] used muskets to conquer [[Constantinople]] (modern [[Istanbul]]) and were one of the earliest users of muskets in a military conflict. It also utilized large cannons, including the [[Dardanelles Gun|Great Turkish Bombard]]. The Ottomans, under Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent (r. 1520-1566), embraced these weapons to maintain military superiority against European rivals such as the Habsburgs and the Safavids. By the late 17th century, the Ottoman military began to face increasing difficulties in keeping up with the rapid advances in European military technology and tactics, particularly regarding firearms. The stagnation of the Ottoman military was evident during key conflicts such as the Great Turkish War (1683-1699) and the Siege of Vienna in 1683, where the Ottomans were defeated by the combined forces of the Holy Roman Empire and its allies.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, the Ottoman Empire recognized the need to modernize its military, particularly in the face of defeats at the hands of European powers. Several sultans, most notably Sultan Selim III (r. 1789-1807) and later Mahmud II (r. 1808-1839), attempted to reform the army and introduce more modern firearms, including newer versions of muskets with flintlock mechanisms. It wasn't until the reign of Mahmud II that the Janissaries were finally abolished in 1826, during the event known as the "Auspicious Incident." This paved the way for further military reforms, including the widespread adoption of modern muskets and rifles. By the mid-19th century, the Ottomans had restructured their military to be more in line with European standards, though the empire continued to struggle in keeping pace with technological advancements.

===Russia===
{{Main|Streltsy}}

'''Streltsy''' ({{langx|ru|Стрельцы}}, [[Grammatical number|sing.]] {{lang|ru-Latn|strelets}}, {{lang|ru|стрелец}}, literally "shooter"; often translated as "musketeer", but more properly "harquebusier") were the [[Military unit|unit]]s of [[Russia]]n guardsmen l from the 16th to the early 18th centuries, armed with [[firearms]] and [[bardiche]]s. They are also collectively known as ''Strelets Troops'' ({{lang|ru|Стрелецкое Войско}}).

[[File:01 108 Book illustrations of Historical description of the clothes and weapons of Russian troops.jpg|thumb|Streltsy in 1674]]

The first streltsy units were created by [[Ivan the Terrible]] sometime between 1545 and 1550 and armed with the [[arquebus]]. They first saw combat at the [[Siege of Kazan (1552)|Siege of Kazan]] in 1552. [[Military service]] in this unit became lifelong and [[hereditary]]. The bearded strelsty were organized into regiments, each with a long coat (''kaftan'') and pointed cloth hat of a distinctive colour. By 1680, there were 20 regiments of Moscow streltsy totaling 20,048 men and comprising about 12 per cent of the total army<ref>{{cite book|first=V.|last=Shpakovsky|page=[https://archive.org/details/armiesivanterrib00nico_695/page/n9 8]|title=Armies of Ivan the Terrible|url=https://archive.org/details/armiesivanterrib00nico_695|url-access=limited|isbn=1-84176-925-8|date= 2006|publisher=Bloomsbury USA }}</ref> (along with cossacks, militia and an increasing number of regular soldiers). In addition, there were significant numbers of frontier and garrison streltsy serving outside Moscow, although these were less formally drilled and equipped.<ref>{{cite book|first=V.|last=Shpakovsky|page=[https://archive.org/details/armiesivanterrib00nico_695/page/n10 9]|title=Armies of Ivan the Terrible|url=https://archive.org/details/armiesivanterrib00nico_695|url-access=limited|isbn=1-84176-925-8|date= 2006|publisher=Bloomsbury USA }}</ref>

The Muscovite government was chronically short of cash so that the streltsy were often not paid well. While "entitled" to something like four rubles a year in the 1550s, they were often allowed to farm or trade in order to supplement their incomes. Textiles for clothing and foodstuffs were sometimes issued as part of their pay. A commander of one hundred musketeers ({{lang|ru-Latn|sotnik}}) received up to 20 roubles a year and a regimental head ({{lang|ru-Latn|streletski golova}}) between 30 and 60.<ref>{{cite book|first=V.|last=Shpakovsky|pages=[https://archive.org/details/armiesivanterrib00nico_695/page/n20 19]& 21|title=Armies of Ivan the Terrible|url=https://archive.org/details/armiesivanterrib00nico_695|url-access=limited|isbn=1-84176-925-8|date=2006|publisher=Bloomsbury USA }}</ref>

In the late 17th century, the Streltsy of Moscow began to actively participate in a struggle for power between different government groups, supporting [[dissident]]s and showing hostility towards any foreign [[innovation]]s.<ref>{{cite book|first=Angus|last=Konstam|page=[https://archive.org/details/petergreatsarmyi01kons/page/n9 9]|title=Peter the Great's Army 1: Infantry|url=https://archive.org/details/petergreatsarmyi01kons|url-access=limited|isbn=1-85532-315-X|date= 1993}}</ref>

After the fall of [[Sophia Alekseyevna]] in 1689, the government of [[Peter I of Russia|Peter the Great]] engaged in a process of gradual limitation of the streltsy's military and political influence. In order to counter their power, Peter began to raise a new regular army, still armed with muskets but disciplined, uniformed and organised along West European lines. In spite of these measures, the streltsy revolted yet again while Peter was on his Great Embassy in Europe. The four regiments involved were disbanded and 1,200 of the mutineers were executed. The remainder were exiled, had their property confiscated and were banned from future military employment.<ref>{{cite book|first=Chris|last=Middleton|page=22|title=Winds of Revolution|isbn=978-0809464586|year=1987}}</ref> The entire corps was technically abolished in 1689; however, after having suffered [[Battle of Narva (1700)|a defeat at Narva in 1700]], the government retained some streltsy units in service.<ref>{{cite book|first=Angus|last=Konstam|pages=[https://archive.org/details/petergreatsarmyi01kons/page/n9 9]|title=Peter the Great's Army 1: Infantry|url=https://archive.org/details/petergreatsarmyi01kons|url-access=limited|isbn=1-85532-315-X|date=1993}}</ref>

Gradually, the streltsy were incorporated into the regular army. At the same time, the Tsarist government started to disband the Municipal Streltsy. Liquidation of the last streltsy units (by then social rather than military groups) was finally completed by 1728.<ref>{{cite book|first=V.|last=Shpakovsky|page=[https://archive.org/details/armiesivanterrib00nico_695/page/n36 35]|title=Armies of Ivan the Terrible|url=https://archive.org/details/armiesivanterrib00nico_695|url-access=limited|isbn=1-84176-925-8|date=2006|publisher=Bloomsbury USA }}</ref>

The [[Preobrazhensky regiment|Preobrazhensky]] and Semenovsky regiments of the [[Russian Imperial Guard|Imperial Guard]] replaced the streltsy as the political and military force closest to the tsar.<ref>{{cite book|first=Angus|last=Konstam|page=[https://archive.org/details/petergreatsarmyi01kons/page/n11 11]&12|title=Peter the Great's Army 1: Infantry|year=1993|url=https://archive.org/details/petergreatsarmyi01kons|url-access=limited|isbn=1-85532-315-X}}</ref>

===China===

[[Arquebus]]<nowiki/>iers and musketeers were employed in the armies of the [[Ming dynasty|Ming]] (1368–1644)<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=esnWJkYRCJ4C&pg=PA141 Chase 2003], p. 141.</ref> and [[Qing dynasty|Qing]] dynasties (1644–1911). Zhao Shizhen's book of 1598 AD, the ''Shenqipu'', contains illustrations of [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]] [[Turkish people|Turkish]] and European musketeers together with detailed diagrams of their muskets.<ref name="needham volume 5 part 7 447 454">Needham, Volume 5, Part 7, 447–454.</ref> There was also an illustration and description of how the [[Han Chinese|Han]] people had adopted the Ottoman kneeling position when firing, while favoring the use of European-made muskets.<ref name="needham volume 5 part 7 449 452">Needham, Volume 5, Part 7, 449–452.</ref> The [[Han Chinese|Han]] people also built the first repeating firearm: several barrels behind a small wooden shield. The gunman would turn these barrels lighting each barrel with a slow match one by one. These weapons were most effective when fired from walls or high positions. Needham considered this weapon to be a "primitive machine-gun".<ref>{{cite book |title=Science and civilisation in China, Volume 5, Part 7 |author1=Joseph Needham |author2=Gwei-Djen Lu |author3=Ling Wang |editor=Joseph Needham|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Lx-9mS6Aa4wC|edition=reprint |year=1987 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=0-521-30358-3 |page=254|quote=makes its appearance, but now alongside all kinds of more modern things, such as mobile armoured shields for field-guns, bullet-moulds and muskets, and even a kind of primitive machine-gun. b The fire-lance was not yet quite dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Chinese ideas about nature and society: studies in honour of Derk Bodde |author=Derk Bodde|editor1=Charles Le Blanc |editor2=Susan Blader|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aPQuETESw84C&pg=PA326|year=1987 |publisher=Hong Kong University Press |isbn=962-209-188-1 |page=326|quote=Once again the li hua ch'iang makes its appearance, but now alongside all kinds of more modern things, such as ... for field-guns, bullet moulds, and muskets, and even a kind of primitive machine- gun.96 The fire-lance was not yet quite}}</ref><ref name="DK2006">{{cite book|author=DK|title=Weapon: A Visual History of Arms and Armor|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Px5E3EIF5jQC&pg=PA100|date= 2006|publisher=DK Publishing|isbn=978-0-7566-4219-8|page=100}}</ref>

===Central Asia===
Introduced by the Chinese, muskets were popularised in [[Central Asia|Central-Asia]] under the [[Timurid dynasty]].

===Indian Sub-continent===
[[File:A Mughal Infantryman.jpg|thumb|205x205px|A painting of a [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]] infantryman.]] 
[[Matchlock]] Muskets were first introduced by the first [[Mughal emperor]] [[Babur]] in the [[first Battle of Panipat]] 1526 CE. The weapon became an integral part of Indian warfare from the 16th century onward, mainly from the reign of the Mughal emperor [[Akbar]]. It was used as an effective defense against [[war elephant]]s. The [[Mughal Empire|Mughals]], [[Maratha Confederacy|Marathas]], [[Rajputs]], [[Sikh Empire|Sikhs]] and [[Ahom Kingdom|Ahoms]] made use of musketeers, firing from cover, to ambush opposing infantry, cavalry and elephants. Many Indian [[gunsmiths]] created matchlock muskets for the Mughal infantry<ref>{{cite book|first=David|last=Nicolle|pages=12, 16|title=The French Army 1914–18|date= 1993|publisher=Bloomsbury USA |isbn=1-85532-344-3}}</ref> plus some [[combination weapons]].

== Africa ==
The [[Kingdom of Ndongo]] developed its musketeer forces in the 16th century amid war against the [[Portuguese Angola|Portuguese in Angola]]. In 1585, 40 musketeers formed part of an attacking force deployed against Portugal.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MdI8DYItvg8C&q=gbs_navlinks_s|last1=Thornton |first1=John Kelly|author-link=John Thornton (historian)|year=1999|title=Warfare in Atlantic Africa, 1500-1800|publisher=[[Psychology Press]] |page=108|isbn=9781857283921}}</ref> A small musketeer force was authorized in [[Kingdom of Kongo|Kongo]] mostly made up of the {{lang|pt|[[mestiço]]}}, who were mixed race Kongolese with Portuguese ancestry. Over 300 musketeers served in the Kongo army against the Portuguese at the [[Battle of Mbwila]] in 1665.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Thornton |first=John K. |authorlink=John Thornton (historian) |title=African Dimensions of the Stono Rebellion |year=1991 |journal=[[The American Historical Review]] |volume=96 |issue=4 |pages=1101–1113|doi=10.2307/2164997|jstor=2164997 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last=Thornton |first=John K. |authorlink=John Thornton (historian) |title=The Art of War in Angola, 1575–1680 |year=1988 |journal=[[Comparative Studies in Society and History]] |volume=30 |issue=2 |pages=360–378 |doi=10.1017/S0010417500015231 |s2cid=144152478 }}</ref>
Musketeers were employed into the [[Kingdom of Whydah|Wydah]] army from 1680 AD but they did not completely replace the spearmen, swordsmen and archers. In war, the Musketeers were first to go into action as they fought in the front ranks of the army.<ref>{{cite journal | last=Kea | first=R. A. | title=Firearms and Warfare on the Gold and Slave Coasts from the Sixteenth to the Nineteenth Centuries | journal=The Journal of African History | volume=12 | issue=2 | pages=185–213 | year=1971| issn=0021-8537 | jstor=180879 | doi=10.1017/S002185370001063X | s2cid=163027192 }}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Fusilier]]
* [[Rifleman]]
* [[Pike and shot]]
* [[Line infantry]]
* [[Foot Guards]]

==Gallery==
<gallery>
Aanwijzing 2 voor het hanteren van het musket - Marcheert ende draecht de furquet neffens de Musquet (Jacob de Gheyn, 1607).jpg
Aanwijzing 3 voor het hanteren van het musket - V furquet sincken laet, en van u schouder u Musquet neemt (Jacob de Gheyn, 1607).jpg
Aanwijzing 4 voor het hanteren van het musket - Mette rechter hant u Musquet om hooch hout, ende in de lincker hant sincken laet (Jacob de Gheyn, 1607).jpg
Aanwijzing 9 voor het hanteren van het musket - V lont versoeckt (Jacob de Gheyn, 1607).jpg
Aanwijzing 8 voor het hanteren van het musket - V lont opdruckt (Jacob de Gheyn, 1607).jpg
Aanwijzing 10 voor het hanteren van het musket - V lont afblaest, en u pan opent (Jacob de Gheyn, 1607).jpg
Aanwijzing 11 voor het hanteren van het musket - V musquet om hooch hout ende aenlegt (Jacob de Gheyn, 1607).jpg
Aanwijzing 12 voor het hanteren van het musket - Schiet (Jacob de Gheyn, 1607).jpg
Aanwijzing 13 voor het hanteren van het musket - V Musquet afneemt ende neffens u furquet draecht (Jacob de Gheyn, 1607).jpg
Aanwijzing 14 voor het hanteren van het musket - V lont afneemt (Jacob de Gheyn, 1607).jpg
Arkebusier.jpg
Altblau regiment musketeer.jpg|Musketeer from Altblau regiment (1624–1650) from Swedish army with musket and with [[bardiche]] (long poleaxe)
Musketeers from Swidnica.jpg|18th-century musketeers from [[Świdnica]] ([[Historical reenactment|reconstruction]]).
</gallery>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Sources==
{{Commons category|Musketeers}}
*{{cite book|title=Firearms: A Global History to 1700|first=Kenneth Warren|last=Chase|edition=illustrated, reprint|year=2003|publisher=Cambridge University Press|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=esnWJkYRCJ4C|isbn=0521822742}}
*{{cite book |last= Needham |first= Joseph |title=Science and Civilisation in China | volume=5, Part 7 Military Technology: The Gunpowder Epic |place= New York |publisher=Cambridge University Press |date= 1986 |display-authors=etal}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Musketeers}}
[[Category:Infantry]]
[[Category:Combat occupations]]
[[Category:Muskets]]
[[Category:Musketeers| ]]