District of Potisje
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The District of Potisje (Serbian: Potiski krunski dištrikt or Потиски крунски диштрикт) was an administrative unit of the Habsburg Monarchy. It was formed in 1751 with headquarters in Bečej, and existed for almost one century (until 1848).
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[edit] History
Before the formation of the district, its territory belonged to the Tisa-Moriš section of the Military Frontier and was mainly inhabited by ethnic Serbs. After the abolishment of this part of the Frontier, many Serbs left from the area and immigrated to Russia (notably to Nova Serbia and Slavo-Serbia). Some of them also settled in Banat.
The 3 privilegies were given to the district in 1759, 1774, and 1800, and were published for those frontiersmen (Serbs) that did not emigrated to Russia or Banat.
The first privilege of the District defined its autonomous status, while the second one allowed to ethnic Hungarians to settle in the district. Serbs opposed this settling of Hungarians in Serb settlements and in some places ethnic clashes between the two groups occurred. For example, the first Hungarian house built in Martonoš was demolished by Serbs. The ethnic balance in much of the area was, however, definitely changed in favor of the Hungarians.
[edit] Municipalities
The District included 14 municipalities:
- Ada
- Bečej
- Kanjiža
- Martonoš
- Mol
- Petrovo Selo
- Senta
- Sentomaš
- Turija
- Feldvarac
- Gospođinci
- Stari Kovilj
- Novi Kovilj
- Čurug
In 1796, last four municipalities were excluded from the District and included into Military Frontier (Šajkaš Battalion).
[edit] References
- Dr Dušan J. Popović, Srbi u Vojvodini, knjiga 2, Novi Sad, 1990.
