Janko Gagić
Janko Gagić | |
|---|---|
| Born | Ribnica near Ribarska Banja, Ottoman Empire |
| Died | February 4, 1804 Boleč, Ottoman Empire |
| Cause of death | Assassination |
| Nationality |  Kingdom of Serbia |
| Known for | First Serbian Uprising Slaughter of the Dukes |
| Title | Buljubaša (Small military unit leader) |
Janko Gagić (Serbian Cyrillic: Јанко Гагић; died 4 February 1804) was one of the most eminent Serbs at the beginning of the 18th century and as a buljubaša - a leader of small military formation, one of the most famous leaders in Serbian Revolt against Turks. He was killed during the Slaughter of the Dukes, the incident that sparked the First Serbian Uprising of the Serbian Revolution, ultimately leading to Serbia's liberation from the Ottoman Empire.[1]
Gagić was born in village Ribnica in region of Ribarska Banja near Kruševac. As a young and courageous man, he had an lifechanging incident, several Turks have abducted his sister Teodora. Janko with several comrades have chased and killed them, which meant it was unsafe for him to remain there under Turkish rule. Then he have moved away and settled in Boleč village between Belgrade and Grocka. He have gained military routine as a member of volunteer in Freikorps during Austro-Turkish War and Koča's frontier rebellion. Known for his bravery, he was chosen to be a village Ruler in Boleč. Also, he was not reluctant to attack Janissary and have held a road to Smederevo near Boleč area under control, along with his comrades.[2]
In the time of Hadži Mustafa Pasha the Dahias had taken power in the Pashaluk of Belgrade in defiance of the Sultan and they feared that the Sultan would make use of the Serbs to oust them. To forestall this they decided to execute all noble Serbs throughout Serbia. As a notable commander, Gagić was subject of fear among Turks,that is why, among others he was one to be killed. The Turks have abducted his son, thus Janko have surrendered and decapitated instead of his son that was released. His death was described in the Serbian epic folk poem Otac (Serbian: father).[3]
Today, one of biggest streets is named after him, also a public fountain. In February 2014, exactly 210 years after his assassination, his remains were moved in a Boleč churchyard tomb.[4]
References
- ^ "Seča knezova". Arheo-amateri. Retrieved 2014-02-15.
- ^ "Srpski junak koji je ratovao protiv Turaka, posle 210 godina biće sahranjen". Novosti. Retrieved 2014-02-15.
- ^ "Otac (poem)". Wikisource. Retrieved 2014-02-15.
- ^ "Podizanje spomen obeležja Janku Gagiću". TOB. Retrieved 2014-02-15.
External links
- Lyrics of a folk song Seča (Slaughter) at rajko-maksimovic.net Template:Sr icon