Stefan Karadzha
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Stefan Karadzha | |
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| Born | 11 May 1840 Ichme, near Yambol, Bulgaria |
| Died | 31 July 1868 Rousse, Bulgaria |
Stefan Karadzha (Bulgarian: Стефан Караджа) (11 May 1840 - 31 July 1868), born Stefan Todorov Dimov (Bulgarian: Стефан Тодоров Димов), was a Bulgarian national hero, a revolutionary from the national liberation movement and a rebellion leader.
He was born on 11 May 1840 in the village of Ichme (now Stefan Karadzhovo) near Yambol. He studied in Tulcea, but quit school due to lack of funding. Karadzha was reputedly a descendant of Momchil Voyvoda. He beat the famous Turkish wrestler Gaazi Plisa at a wedding. He was hiding for some time, chased by the Turks, then emigrated to Romania and joined the First Bulgarian Legion in Belgrade.
He crossed the Danube from Romania a couple of times executing revolutionary tasks. In 1867 he joined the Second Bulgarian Legion. In 1868 he quit it and went to Romania, where he had a meeting with Hadzhi Dimitar. On 6 June both of them were leaders of a detachment of 129 people, and crossed the Danube at Vardim, Veliko Tarnovo Province. Stefan Karadzha was seriously wounded during the fight at Kanladere near Vishovgrad, and was captured by the army and police sent by the chairman of the State Council, Midhat Pasha. Afterwards, on 12 July, he was convoyed to Tarnovo, and later to Rousse. He was standing half-dead before the emergency Turkish court, assembled by Midhat Pasha, the so-called criminal council, and sentenced to death by hanging. On 31 July 1868 Karadzha was hanged. He was buried by Tonka Obretenova, who preserved his skull.
