 | This articlepossibly containsoriginal research. Pleaseimprove it byverifying the claims made and addinginline citations. Statements consisting only of original research should be removed.(August 2011) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
Part ofa series on the |
|---|
| History ofBulgaria |
 |
|
Main category Bulgaria portal |
Karposh's rebellion orKarposh's uprising[1] (Macedonian:Карпошово востание,Karpošovo vostanie;Bulgarian:Карпошово въстание,Karposhovo vastanie) was aChristian anti-Ottoman uprising in the CentralBalkans that took place in October 1689 during theGreat Turkish War of 1683–1699. Karposh - the nickname probably derives from the Bulgarian or Macedonian wordкарпа (karpa, meaning "crag" or "rock")[2] - theleader of the rebellion, was born in theSanjak of Üsküp in the thenRumelia Eyalet[3][4][5][6] of theOttoman Empire, probably in the village ofVojnik (nearKumanovo, present-dayNorth Macedonia), and named Petar (Macedonian:Петар,Bulgarian:Петър,lit. 'Peter'). At a very young age, he escaped toWallachia (present-dayRomania), where he worked as a miner. Later, Karposh moved to theRhodope Mountains, where he settled in theDospat valley (near today's Greek-Bulgarian border), becoming a notorioushajduk. After the army of theHoly Roman Empire advanced into theOttoman Balkans, Karposh moved to the area ofZnepole (nearTran, on today's Serbo-Bulgarian border), and began to organise anti-Ottoman resistance-detachments there.[7][8]
In 1683, theHoly League of Austria, Poland, Venice, and (later) Russia was formed to oppose the Ottoman Empire.[9] The Ottoman Empire suffered defeat at theBattle of Vienna in 1683 and was forced to withdraw rapidly from Central Europe. The defeat and the chaotic situation within theOttoman Empire created widespread social disruption in the Central Balkans, particularly in the regions of Üsküp (Skopje) and Niş (Niš), where Karposh's rebellion originated.[10] On 25 October 1689, theAustrian branch of the Holy League, led by GeneralPiccolomini, reached the Plain of Üsküp and were met with rejoicing by the inhabitants of the villages there. The same day, Piccolomini began a withdrawal of his forces, and on 26 October,set fire to the city. Skopje burned for two whole days, through 26 and 27 October. Most of the city of Skopje was destroyed in the fire. Some accounts of these events state that Piccolomini razed Skopje due to an inability of his forces to occupy and govern a city so far from his headquarters,[9] while other accounts state that it was perpetrated to prevent the spread of infectious disease.[11]
In October 1689, an uprising broke out in the region between Köstendil (Kyustendil), Şehirköy (Pirot), and Üsküp (Skopje). According to the Turkish historianSilahdar Findikli Mehmed Aga, its leader Karposh was initially avoivoda orhaiduk in the vicinity of Dospat, in present-dayBulgaria. In the summer of 1689 hoping for help from the Austrian troops,haiduks, andvoynuks led byStrahil vojvoda, rose in arms in the area ofNorthern Thrace between Filibe (Plovdiv) and Pazarcık (Pazardzhik),[12] the Turks named him chief of Christian Auxiliary forces in the area between Sofya (Sofia), Köprülü (Veles), Doyran (Dojran), Köstendil (Kjustendil) andNevrokop to resist against Strahil's rebels. However, he switched sides and attacked and captured Eğri Palanka (Kriva Palanka), an Ottoman stronghold, which he made the centre of his resistance. After securing Eğri Palanka, the rebels built and secured a new stronghold near Kumanova (Kumanovo). It is unclear whether theAustrians assisted the rebels. According to contemporary Ottoman chronicles and local legends, Karposh was known as the "King of Kumanovo", a title conferred upon him by EmperorLeopold I who sent him a beautifulbusby as a gift and a sign of recognition.[13]
The situation for the rebels did not turn out well due to military and political reversals which played a decisive role in the fate of the uprising. The first step taken by the Turkish Ottoman authorities in the region was to put down the rebellion and drive the Austrian army out of Ottoman territory. To do that the Ottomans employed the services of theCrimean KhanSelim I Giray.
The council of war which met inSofia on 14 November 1689 decided to attack the rebels throughKyustendil. But before they could do that they had to secure Kriva Palanka. Upon finding that they were about to be attacked, the rebels set fire to Kriva Palanka and concentrated their forces in the new fortress of Kumanovo. They just managed to make some preparations when the Ottoman andTatar detachments arrived. The rebels were quickly overwhelmed by the numerically superior Ottoman force. A large number of rebels, including Karposh, were captured at the outset. This became known as the Second Battle of Kumanovo.[14][15]
When the battle was over, all rebels who resisted were slaughtered. Karposh and the others were taken prisoner. After subduing Kumanovo, the Ottomans left for Skopje where they executed Karposh and the others. It is believed that Karposh died on the historicStone bridge in Skopje Ottoman Macedonia.
For the rebels who survived the battles there was no salvation from the Ottoman backlash except to leave the Balkans. Many fled north beyond theSava andDanube Rivers.
Karpoš Municipality, one of the 10 municipalities that make up the city of Skopje, the capital ofNorth Macedonia, is named after Karposh.
Hristijan Todorovski Karpoš, aYugoslav Communist andMacedonian Partisan duringWorld War II, took his pseudonym after Karposh.
Karposh Square, a square across the Stone Bridge on the other side of Macedonia Square in Skopje is named after Karposh, where the leader of the uprising was executed by the Ottomans. A monument and a plaque commemorate the execution site near the bridge.
Karposh Point onSnow Island in theSouth Shetland Islands,Antarctica is named after Karposh.[16]
Карпош [...] своето име го добил заради својата корпулентност (бил крупен и силен како карпа) [...].
.svg)
