Final answer:
The most probable profile of a Janissary is a son of a poor Catholic family from a territory controlled by Suleiman, as they were recruited through the devshirme system, converted to Islam, and trained to serve loyally as soldiers of the Sultan.
Step-by-step explanation:
The most probable profile of a Janissary is 'c. A son of a poor Catholic family in a territory controlled by Suleiman.' Janissaries were an elite fighting force within the Ottoman Empire whose ranks were typically filled through the devshirme system. This system involved taking young Christian boys from the Balkans, converting them to Islam, and training them to be loyal soldiers directly under the Sultan's control. They were chosen from non-Muslim subjects, specifically because Islam forbade the enslavement of fellow Muslims, which made Christian boys ideal recruits. Their loyalty was ensured as they were educated and trained within the state from a young age, breaking ties with their biological families and making them highly loyal to the Sultan. The Janissaries became a powerful political and military force in the Ottoman state, serving from 1363 until their disbandment in 1826.