It spread westward across Asia during the 14th century. In spite of these measures, the streltsy revolted yet again while Peter was on his Great Embassy in Europe. As one of the junior units in the Royal Guard, the Musketeers were not closely linked to the royal family. Arquebusiers and musketeers were utilized in the armies of the Ming (1368–1644)[1] and Qing dynasties (1644–1911). These included the provision of horses, swords, clothing, a servant and equipment. Flag of the 1st Company of the Musketeers of the Guard, 1715. [19], After the fall of Sophia Alekseyevna in 1689, the government of Peter the Great engaged in a process of gradual limitation of the streltsy's military and political influence. [2] There was also an illustration and description of how the Chinese had adopted the Ottoman kneeling position when firing, while favoring the use of European-made muskets. They are also collectively known as Strelets Troops (Стрелецкое Войско). They first saw combat at the Siege of Kazan in 1552. In 1776, the Musketeers were disbanded by Louis XVI for budgetary reasons. Review of Black Musketeers in the plain of Sablons. 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, on the battlefield, it was usually much smaller. All miniatures are supplied unpainted. At Mazarin's death in 1661, the cardinal's Musketeers passed to Louis XIV. The Musketeers of the Guard were a junior unit, initially of roughly company strength, of the military branch of the Royal Household or Maison du Roi. In addition, there were significant numbers of frontier and garrison streltsy serving outside Moscow, although these were less formally drilled and equipped. This was the start of a bitter rivalry between the two corps of Musketeers. Mounted miniatures are supplied without mounts, which must be purchased separately. In 1664, the two companies were reorganized: one company took the name "Grey Musketeers" (mousquetaires gris) from the color of their matched horses, while the second were called "Black Musketeers" (mousquetaires noirs), mounted on black horses. The Musketeers were among the most prestigious of the military companies of the Ancien Régime, and in principle membership in the companies was reserved for nobles. Metal miniatures contain lead and are unsuitable for children under the age of 14. [21], Gradually, the streltsy were incorporated into the regular army. The Mughals, Marathas, Rajputs and Sikhs made use of musketeers, firing from cover, to ambush opposing infantry, cavalry and elephants.