Voynuks (sometimes called voynugans or voynegans) were members of the privileged[1] Ottoman military social class established in the 1370s or the 1380s.
[9] Voynuks were tax-exempt non-Muslim citizens who provided military service in periods of war.
[14] At the beginning of the 18th century about one third of young Christian men who lived near Ottoman/Christian borders were members of the groups of outlaws.
[15] Initially, the main task of voynuks was to guard the Ottoman borders in Bulgaria and Macedonia, either by patrolling or by incursions into the enemy territory.
[16][17] Later, Voynuks became auxiliary troops which provided transportation and horses for Ottoman forces during their campaigns.