Husein Grada??evi?

Husein-kapetan Grada??evi? (1802 – August 17, 1834) was a Bosniak general who fought for Bosnian autonomy in the Ottoman Empire. He is often referred to as "Zmaj od Bosne", meaning "Dragon of Bosnia", because he often called himself this. Grada??evi? was born in Grada?ac in 1802 and grew up surrounded by a political climate of turmoil in the western reaches of the Ottoman Empire. When his brother Murat was poisoned by a rival in 1821, Grada??evi? rose to the head of the Grada?ac military captaincy. The young Husein developed a reputation for wise rule and tolerance and soon became one of the most popular figures in Bosnia.

Related Topics:
1802 - August 17 - 1834 - Bosniak - Bosnia - Ottoman Empire - Grada?ac - 1821

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In 1831 Grada??evi? was called upon to lead the movement for Bosnian autonomy. He overthrew the loyalist vizier and other anti-rebellion figures, becoming the de facto ruler of the Bosnian pashaluk in the process. On July 18 of the same year Grada??evi? met a large force commanded by the grand vizier himself near Shtimje/?timlje in Kosovo and dealt a heavy defeat to the imperial army. At that point he decided to turn back from further campaigns and returned to Bosnia where he was proclaimed the new vizier by his soldiers on September 12. By 1832 however, the tide of the rebellion had turned. After a series of smaller clashes the decisive battle occurred on the 17th and 18th of May outside Sarajevo. Initially winning, the rebels were eventually defeated when Herzegovinian reinforcements arrived and sided with the Sultan.

Related Topics:
1831 - Vizier - Pashaluk - July 18 - Kosovo - September 12 - Sarajevo - Herzegovinian

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Although the Bosniak uprising would not be completely quelled for another 18 years, Grada??evi? was forced to flee to the Habsburg Monarchy on May 31. From there he negotiated for his return with the Sultan and was ultimately allowed back but barred from ever entering Bosnia again. He moved to Belgrade and then to Istanbul, where he died under mysterious circumstances on August 17, 1834. A legend in his own time, Grada??evi? is considered a Bosniak national hero and one of the most positive figures in the history of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Related Topics:
Habsburg Monarchy - May 31 - Belgrade - Istanbul - National hero - History of Bosnia and Herzegovina

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