Scattered throughout the old neighborhoods of Istanbul, particularly in an area known as Okmeydanı, are several stone steles erected in the 18th and 19th centuries during the Ottoman era. These stone memorials, known as nişan taşı or "aiming stones," were established to commemorate remarkable feats in archery and later, records in rifle shooting.
During the Ottoman Empire, archery was a highly developed sport. The Turks were renowned for their ability to conduct warfare on horseback using bows and arrows. The Turkish bow, despite its slender appearance, was one of the most feared weapons until the age of gunpowder, capable of sending arrows over distances of more than 400 meters.
An archer in the garb of an ancient Ottoman Empire archer soldier shoots at archery competition while riding horse in Istanbul. Photo credit: Depositphotos
Click Here to read more Amusing Planet
