Serbian Uprisings
Serbia's call for independence
The dahijas, rulers of the Sanjak of Smederevo, represed the Serbian majority. They imposed heavy taxation and forced labor onto the people of Serbia. In a cowardly act, they massacred notable Serbian figures. This was the straw that broke the camel’s back and the dahije were going to pay the price.
A revolt began overthrowing the perpetrators of the Slaughter of the Knezes. Forwarded by Karađorđe Petrović this revolt excelated into a full-blown revolution. Serbia sought support from other powers. Luckly she shared a common enemy with the mighty Russian Empire. During the period of the Russo-Turkish war (1806 - 1812) Serbia made great victories against the Turks. By 1812. the Russians made peace with the Ottomans. Serbia was offered sheer autonomy within the Ottoman Empire. This peace proposal was rejected by revolutionary leaders who were getting arrogant. Without Russian support the uprising fell in 1813. and all they had to show for it was a tower made of Serbian skulls (Ћеле кула).
The faliure of the uprising served as a warning to their successors. In April of 1815. open rebellion was declared against the Turks. This time the rebelion was forwarded by Miloš Obrenović. It’s believed that on the day in Takovo Miloš said, “Evo mene, evo vas. Rat Turcima!” (Here I am, here you are. War to the Turks! ). Following many victories the Ottoman Turks were kicked out of the Pashalik of Belgrade.
After the dust setelled Serbia became a semi-independent teritorry within Ottoman Empire. The period between 1817. and 1878. Serbia was slowly but surely gaining more and more autonomy until its offical recognition at the Congress of Berlin. For now, it seems, Serbia will be a dutchy ruled by the Obrenović dynasty.
Thank you very much for reading.
This article is a part of my series about the broad history of Serbia so feel free to check out the other articles: