Vujica Vulićević
Encyclopedia
Vujica Vulićević was a Serbian voivode (military commander) in the First Serbian Uprising
of the Serbian Revolution
, led by Grand Leader Karađorđe against the Ottoman Empire
. He held the rank of Obor-knez. He was also the kum (godfather) of Karađorđe, but betrayed him on behalf of Miloš Obrenović
, the rival Prince.
, in Smederevska Palanka
, then part of the Sanjak of Smederevo
, an Ottoman province covering central Serbia. His eldest brother was voivode Đuša Vulićević, the district holder of Smederevo. His son, Petar, was married to the sister of Ljubica Vukomanović
, the wife of Miloš Obrenović
.
since the start. Among his subordinates, were Djordje Zagla.
In December 1806, voivodes Vujica, Mladen Milovanovic and Stanoje Glavas commanded an army of 18,000 soldiers to defend at the Battle of Deligrad
. The fight ended in Serbian victory, with Ibrahim Pasha signing a 6-week truce.
Together with voivode Čolak-Anta Simeonović, he led Karageorge's offensive from Nikšić
to Montenegro
in May 1809.
After the murder of his brother Đuša, Vujica becomes Obor-knez, or holder of the Smederevo district.
He was sent by Milos with Prota Mateja to negotiate with Marashli Pasha in Cuprija.
, where he joined the Greek
national liberation movement Filiki Eteria
, where he became an active member. The Greeks were primarily interested in using the Serbian lands as base of the Greek operations. Miloš Obrenović was fully uncooperative.
On 25 July 1817, in the Radovanjski Lug
forest, within reach of Velika Plana
, Miloš Obrenović had Karađorđe killed, and although Vujica was his godfather, he helped in the arrangement and betrayed his godson. There also exist stories that Vujica himself killed Karageorge, when he slept in his cabin, as a guest. Miloš had his head sent to the Sultan. In a sign of regret, he founded the Pokajnica Monastery
(Repentance
) wooden-church in 1818.
for his service.
First Serbian Uprising
The First Serbian Uprising was the first stage of the Serbian Revolution , the successful wars of independence that lasted for 9 years and approximately 9 months , during which Serbia perceived itself as an independent state for the first time after more than three centuries of Ottoman rule and...
of the Serbian Revolution
Serbian revolution
Serbian revolution or Revolutionary Serbia refers to the national and social revolution of the Serbian people taking place between 1804 and 1835, during which this territory evolved from an Ottoman province into a constitutional monarchy and a modern nation-state...
, led by Grand Leader Karađorđe against the Ottoman Empire
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
. He held the rank of Obor-knez. He was also the kum (godfather) of Karađorđe, but betrayed him on behalf of Miloš Obrenović
Miloš Obrenovic I, Prince of Serbia
Miloš Obrenović was Prince of Serbia from 1815 to 1839, and again from 1858 to 1860. He participated in the First Serbian Uprising, led Serbs in the Second Serbian Uprising, and founded the House of Obrenović...
, the rival Prince.
Personal
Vujica was born in the village of AzanjaAzanja
Azanja is a village in Central Serbia, in the municipality of Smederevska Palanka. It lies in the region of Great Morava valley, on rivers of Jezava and Jasenica. Azanja is 160 meters above mean sea level...
, in Smederevska Palanka
Smederevska Palanka
Smederevska Palanka is a town and municipality located in Central Serbia. According to the preliminary results of the 2011 census, the municipality had a total population of 50,078, while the town proper has 23,152 inhabitants.-Geography:Smederevska Palanka lies in Pan-European Corridor X , just...
, then part of the Sanjak of Smederevo
Sanjak of Smederevo
The Sanjak of Smederevo , also known as the Pashaluk of Belgrade , was an Ottoman administrative unit , that existed between the 15th and the outset of the 19th centuries...
, an Ottoman province covering central Serbia. His eldest brother was voivode Đuša Vulićević, the district holder of Smederevo. His son, Petar, was married to the sister of Ljubica Vukomanović
Ljubica Vukomanović
Ljubica Vukomanović was Princess consort of the Principality of Serbia as the wife of Miloš Obrenović I, Prince of Serbia, and the founder of the Obrenović dynasty, which ruled Serbia in an almost unbroken line from the time of his election as Prince to the May Overthrow in 1903...
, the wife of Miloš Obrenović
Miloš Obrenovic I, Prince of Serbia
Miloš Obrenović was Prince of Serbia from 1815 to 1839, and again from 1858 to 1860. He participated in the First Serbian Uprising, led Serbs in the Second Serbian Uprising, and founded the House of Obrenović...
.
Revolution
He was part of the First Serbian UprisingFirst Serbian Uprising
The First Serbian Uprising was the first stage of the Serbian Revolution , the successful wars of independence that lasted for 9 years and approximately 9 months , during which Serbia perceived itself as an independent state for the first time after more than three centuries of Ottoman rule and...
since the start. Among his subordinates, were Djordje Zagla.
In December 1806, voivodes Vujica, Mladen Milovanovic and Stanoje Glavas commanded an army of 18,000 soldiers to defend at the Battle of Deligrad
Battle of Deligrad
The Battle of Deligrad was fought between Serbia and the Ottoman Empire in 1806.-The battle:The First Serbian Uprising had begun in 1804 with the expulsion of the ruling janissary elite and the proclamation of an independent Serbian state by the revolution's leader, Karageorge. The Ottoman Sultan,...
. The fight ended in Serbian victory, with Ibrahim Pasha signing a 6-week truce.
Together with voivode Čolak-Anta Simeonović, he led Karageorge's offensive from Nikšić
Nikšić
Nikšić is a city in Montenegro . In 2003 the city had a total population about 75,000.Nikšić is located in Nikšić plain, at the foot of Mount Trebjesa. It is the center of the municipality , which is the largest in Montenegro by area...
to Montenegro
Principality of Montenegro
The Principality of Montenegro was a former realm in Southeastern Europe. It existed from 13 March 1852 to 28 August 1910. It was then proclaimed a kingdom by Knjaz Nikola, who then became king....
in May 1809.
After the murder of his brother Đuša, Vujica becomes Obor-knez, or holder of the Smederevo district.
He was sent by Milos with Prota Mateja to negotiate with Marashli Pasha in Cuprija.
The murder of Karageorge
In 1812, threatened by Napoleon's French Empire, Russia had to quickly sign a peace treaty with the Ottomans. In 1813, the Ottoman Empire launched a big assault on Serbia taking land all up to the rivers Morava and the river Drina, and Karađorđe, along with other rebel leaders, fled to the Austrian Empire on 21 September 1813. After some time, Karađorđe emigrated to BessarabiaBessarabia
Bessarabia is a historical term for the geographic region in Eastern Europe bounded by the Dniester River on the east and the Prut River on the west....
, where he joined the Greek
Greeks
The Greeks, also known as the Hellenes , are a nation and ethnic group native to Greece, Cyprus and neighboring regions. They also form a significant diaspora, with Greek communities established around the world....
national liberation movement Filiki Eteria
Filiki Eteria
thumb|right|200px|The flag of the Filiki Eteria.Filiki Eteria or Society of Friends was a secret 19th century organization, whose purpose was to overthrow Ottoman rule over Greece and to establish an independent Greek state. Society members were mainly young Phanariot Greeks from Russia and local...
, where he became an active member. The Greeks were primarily interested in using the Serbian lands as base of the Greek operations. Miloš Obrenović was fully uncooperative.
On 25 July 1817, in the Radovanjski Lug
Radovanjski Lug
Radovanjski Lug is an oak forest located near Velika Plana, Serbia. It is a natural memorial monument that covers . It was first marked during the reign of Alexander Karađorđević, Prince of Serbia, and a memorial church dedicated to Karađorđe was built in 1936...
forest, within reach of Velika Plana
Velika Plana
Velika Plana , is a town and municipality located in the Podunavlje District of Serbia. In 2011, the population of the municipality is 40,578 . It is estimated that about 5,500-6,500 IDP's from Kosovo & Metohija also live in Velika Plana but are unregistered...
, Miloš Obrenović had Karađorđe killed, and although Vujica was his godfather, he helped in the arrangement and betrayed his godson. There also exist stories that Vujica himself killed Karageorge, when he slept in his cabin, as a guest. Miloš had his head sent to the Sultan. In a sign of regret, he founded the Pokajnica Monastery
Pokajnica Monastery
Pokajnica Monastery is a monastery complex in Velika Plana, Serbia.- History :Wooden church dedicated to the transfer of the relics of St. Nicholas near Velika Plana, a cultural monument of great importance, build in 1818 by Knez of Smederevo Nahiya, Vujica Vulićević. This is attested by the name...
(Repentance
Repentance
Repentance is a change of thought to correct a wrong and gain forgiveness from a person who is wronged. In religious contexts it usually refers to confession to God, ceasing sin against God, and resolving to live according to religious law...
) wooden-church in 1818.
Later years
In 1821, he is appointed diplomat and sent to Constantinople (Istanbul). In 1827, he returns to Serbia. He was given an Ottoman KilijKilij
A kilij is a type of saber used by the Turks throughout history starting from late Hsiung-nu period to Avar Empire and Göktürk Khaganate, Uyghur Khaganate, Seljuk Empire, Timurid Empire, Mamluk Empire, Ottoman Empire, and later Turkic Khanates of Central Asia...
for his service.
Sources
- Matica Srpska, Biografija
- Stojan V. Živadinović, Vujica Vulićević, 1933
- Nebojša Damnjanović, Vladimir Merenik, The first Serbian uprising and the restoration of the Serbian state, Historical Museum of Serbia, Gallery of the Serbian Academy of Science and Arts, 2004