Husein Gradaščević

Husein Kapetan Gradaščević ( born August 31, 1802 in Gradačac; † August 17, 1834 in Istanbul ) was a general who fought in the Ottoman Empire for Bosnian independence. His surname means son of Gradačac. Already a living legend, Gradaščević considered a national hero of Bosnia and is also called "Dragon of Bosnia " ( Zmaj od Bosne ).

Life

Husein Gradaščević comes from a family which held the hereditary Kapetanei - office, and productive assets, including the cities Gradačac, Gracanica and Brčko had. After his brother Murat was poisoned in 1821 by a rival, Husein was to Kapudan of Gradačac.

Gradaščević 1831 elected leader disgruntled Bosnian feudal lords, reform or Europeanization plans Mahmud II defied. On March 26, 1831 Gradaščević defeated the troops of the Ottoman governor Ali Pasha and Namik settled then by the citizens of Sarajevo in the Imperial Mosque ( Careva džamija ) choose the grand vizier of Bosnia. The rebels went for a tributäres relation to the gate, but denied them the Sultan confirmation. In a battle of Kosovo (1831 ), the rebels defeated the Grand Vizier Reschid Pasha, but could Gradaščević lack of diplomatic skill still not obtain recognition by the Sultan. The Porte brought instead the Herzegovinian magnate Smail Aga Čengić and Ali Pasha Rizvanbegović against him. On April 4, 1832, the new vizier Kara Mahmud Hamid Herzegovina Pasha defeated the rebels devastating. Defeated and deserted by his comrades, Gradaščević found asylum in Austria.

Although the Bosnian insurrection still continued for another 18 years Gradaščević but was forced to flee to Austria. From there, he negotiated with the Sultan about a return. This was finally granted to him on Metternich's intervention, but on the condition not to enter Bosnia. Gradaščević traveled via Belgrade to Istanbul, where he ( other sources mention 30 or July 31, 1833 ), died under mysterious circumstances on August 17, 1834, possibly by poisoning.