Tajar Tetova

Tajar Tetova
Born late-19th century
Kalkandelen, Ottoman Empire, now in Tetovo, Macedonia
Nationality Albanian
Occupation Captain in Turkish army
Freedom fighter
Activist
Known for Guerilla against invaders in World War I
Along with Sali Butka, responsible for the 1916 destruction of Moscopole.

Tajar Tetova was an Albanian military commander and çetë (band) leader in southern Albania and Macedonia.

History

Background

born in Kalkandelen in the late-19th century,[1] Tajar bey Tetova came from a noble landowning family.[2] Tetova rose through the military ranks of the Ottoman empire, becoming a Captain in the Turkish army.

Albanian National Awakening

In 1908 he was sent by the Ottoman empire to support the Ottoman troops against the Albanian uprisings in Monastir (present-day Bitola). On June 22, 1908 Tajar Tetova then leading 150 Albanian soldiers mutinied and joined the revolutionaries. He formed a military league, demanding the retirement of the Young Turk government and general elections claiming that the existing cabinet was elected under terrorist agitation of the Young Turkish Committee.[3] Tetova and his soldiers took all the weapons and ammunition company as well as two heavy machine guns from the Turkish in Monastir.[4] Tetova expanded his insurgent movement in the area of Dibra, Korce and Kolonje. Tetova's group merged with Sali Butka fighters and together fought against the invaders of Albania.[5]

Sources

  1. ↑ Aux origines du nationalisme albanais: la naissance d'une nation majoritairement musulmane en Europe (in French). KARTHALA Editions. 2007. p. 667. ISBN 2-84586-816-2.
  2. ↑ Abas Ermenji. Vendi që zë Skënderbeu në historinë e Shqipërisë. Retrieved 22 February 2011.
  3. ↑ Pearson, Owen (2004). Albania and King Zog: independence, republic and monarchy 1908-1939. I.B.Tauris. p. 25. ISBN 1-84511-013-7.
  4. ↑ T. Riza Drishti (Studime Historike,Nr.1,1987) Drishti (Historical Studies, No.1, 1987). "Albanian insurgents ARMS IN YEARS 1909 - 1912". Retrieved 22 February 2011.
  5. ↑ Portali Shqiptar. "The expansion of military actions in other areas". Retrieved 22 February 2011.