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Serbian Militia

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Serbian Militia
Српска милиција / Srpska milicija
Active1686–1704
Disbanded1704
CountryHabsburg monarchy Habsburg Monarchy
AllegianceHabsburg Monarchy
BranchImperial Army
TypeCavalry and Infantry
RoleIrregular warfare, frontier defence, auxiliary support
SizeUp to 10,000
Part ofHabsburg Military Frontier
GarrisonVarious locations along the Military Frontier
Nickname(s)Hayduks, Husars, Rascian Militia, Monasterlija's Serbs
WeaponsVarious firearms, sabres, cavalry lances
EngagementsGreat Turkish War:
Commanders
First CommanderPavle Nestorović
Notable
commanders

The Serbian (Rascian) Militia (Latin: Rascianica militia; Serbian: Рашка милиција, Srpska milicija) was an auxiliary military unit of the Habsburg Monarchy composed primarily of Serbs. It was active between approximately 1686 and 1704 and operated as part of the Habsburg military structure during the Great Turkish War.

The unit was formed to support Habsburg forces in their campaigns against the Ottoman Empire, particularly in the Pannonian Plain and along the Military Frontier. The Serbian militia consisted of both infantry and cavalry, engaging in irregular warfare, frontier defence, and auxiliary operations alongside the Imperial Army. Its organisation followed a decentralised model, with Serbian commanders overseeing military operations under Habsburg authority.[1] The Serbian militia was eventually disbanded in 1704 as part of administrative and military reforms within the Habsburg Monarchy.[2]

Origins and Formation

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The formation of the Serbian militia occurred as the Habsburg Monarchy and its allies sought to expel Ottoman forces from Central Europe. Following the Ottoman failure at the Battle of Vienna in 1683, a coalition of European states, under Habsburg leadership and with support from the Holy See, intensified military operations against Ottoman-held territories. During this period, Orthodox Serbs began participating in the conflict as auxiliary troops. Initially deployed in an irregular capacity, they were progressively incorporated into the Habsburg military structure, with their contributions becoming increasingly significant.[3]

By 1686, the Habsburg capture of Belgrade marked a turning point in the war, as Serbian forces provided strategic value due to their regional knowledge and experience in irregular warfare. A decree issued on 5 October 1689 established the Serbian Militia as a distinct military unit organised under direct Habsburg authority. The force is referred to in contemporary sources as the Latin: Rascianica militia (Latin), Razische Miliz (German), or Srpska milicija (Serbo-Croatian).[3][4][5]

Command of the militia was entrusted to Pavle Nestorović, with operational control remaining exclusively in the hands of Serbian officers.[3] The force adhered to a četa based structure, emphasising small, mobile units suited for rapid deployment and flexible engagements. Membership was restricted to Serbian recruits, reinforcing the militia's role as an ethnically defined military formation within the Habsburg system. The militia also functioned as a means for Serbian communities to exercise a measure of self-governance in military affairs.[3] The Serbian militia became an integral component of Habsburg military operations.[3]

Operational history

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Great Turkish War (1686–99)

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After allied Christian forces had captured Buda from the Ottoman Empire in 1686 during the Great Turkish War, Serbs from Pannonian Plain (present-day Hungary, Slavonia region in present-day Croatia, Bačka and Banat regions in present-day Serbia) joined the troops of the Habsburg monarchy as separate units known as Serbian Militia.[6] Serbs, as volunteers, massively joined the Austrian side.[7]

In the first half of 1688 the Habsburg army together with units of Serbian Militia captured Gyula, Lipova and Ineu from the Ottoman Empire.[6] After Belgrade had been liberated from the Ottomans in 1688, Serbs from the territories in the south of Sava and Danube rivers began to join Serbian Militia units.[6] One of the first commanders of the Serbian Militia during the Great Turkish War was Antonije Znorić.[8] In the period 1689—1691, one of the commanders of Serbian Militia units in Banat was Novak Petrović.[6]

The Ottoman Empire had suffered partial military collapse against the Austrians in the 1680s, most notably at the Battle of Vienna in 1683, and the loss of Belgrade to Maximilian II of Bavaria in 1688 and Bosnia in 1689. However, with the beginning of the Nine Years War in the west, the early 1690s saw an end to Habsburg conquests in the Balkans and a partial Ottoman recovery.[9] Despite the Ottoman recovery and the weakening of the Habsburg military presence on the Danube (most Habsburg soldiers were sent to fight against the France in the War of the Grand Alliance) the Habsburg supreme command planned offensive activities against Ottomans, heavily relying on the Serb soldiers of Serbian Militia and Serb rebels in the Balkans.[10] In 1689 Louis William was appointed as chief commander of the Imperial army in its invasion of the territory of present-day Serbia.[11] Before the invasion Louis William recruited Serb rebels all over territory of present-day Serbia, whose infantry units were called hayduks while cavalry units of Serb rebels were called Serb husars.[12]

On August 29, 1689 Serbian Militia under the command of Pavle Nestorović as a vanguard unit of the Habsburg army were victorious against a vanguard unit of the Ottoman army during the Battle of Batočina.[13] On 4 October 1689 Nestorović was appointed as commander of all units of Serbian Militia in Serbia.[14]

Jovan Monasterlija, who was appointed as captain of Serbian Militia in 1690, recruited Serbs into his units in the summer of 1690 on the southern border of the Austrian Empire.[15] During the Battle of Slankamen on August 19, 1691, Serbian Militia with 10,000 Serbs under the command of Jovan Monasterlija participated in the important victory over Ottoman forces.[15] When Austrian forces supported by Serbian Militia captured Oradea from Ottomans in the spring of 1692, the seat of the Serbian Militia's headquarter became Baja.[15] As reward for the important part he played during the Battle of Zenta, Jovan Tekelija was appointed as Captain of Serbian Militia in Arad in 1698.[16]

The Austrian Empire had intentions to reduce the power and importance of Serbian Militia and its military and religious leaders by dividing it to smaller units and sending them to different distant parts of the Empire. Monasterlija's rank was changed from Serbian vice-voivode and Chief of the Serbian Nation to Rascian obercaptain.[15] Because of the constant Ottoman threat such plans were never fully implemented.

Aftermath and Disbandment (1699–1704)

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Following the Treaty of Karlowitz in 1699, which ended the Great Turkish War, the strategic role of the Serbian Militia was significantly reduced. Many Serbs who had settled in the Military Frontier had expected continued Habsburg military campaigns to reclaim Serbia from the Ottoman Empire, allowing them to return to their homes following the Great Serb Migration. However, as the Habsburg Monarchy shifted its military focus, these hopes diminished.[17] Serbian settlers in the Military Frontier faced increasing pressure from Austrian authorities, who sought to consolidate control over the region. Efforts to Catholicize the Orthodox Serbian population, along with attempts to curtail their privileges, including their right to own arable land, led to growing dissatisfaction. These conditions prompted many Serbian militia members to consider migration to the Russian Empire where Tsar Peter the Great actively encouraged the settlement of experienced military personnel.[17]

Battle of Baja (1704) and Disbandment

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In 1703, the outbreak of Rákóczi’s War of Independence presented a new challenge to Habsburg rule in Hungary. The Austrian authorities, viewing the Serbian Militia as a reliable and cost-effective force, deployed Serbian units against Francis II Rákóczi’s Hungarian rebels, who sought to overthrow Habsburg control. The Serbian Militia played an important role in the conflict, with the Austrian government supporting its privileged position, seeing it as a counterbalance to the separatist aspirations of Hungarian officials. Hungarian authorities, in contrast, regarded the militia with hostility, perceiving it as a threat to their political influence.[18]

In 1704, Jovan Monasterlija’s Serbian Militia engaged Rákóczi’s forces near Baja, a strategically important town in southern Hungary. The battle ended in defeat for the militia, forcing many Serbian fighters to retreat from the town.[19] Despite this setback, Serbian forces continued to operate in smaller formations, often as part of integrated Habsburg military units. By the end of 1704, the Serbian Militia was formally disbanded, as the Habsburg Monarchy sought to reorganize its military forces in Hungary. While some Serbian fighters were absorbed into frontier regiments, others migrated to Russia.[17]

Commanders

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See also

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Annotations

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The organization was officially named "Serbian National Militia" (Latin: Rascianae Nationis Militia).[20]

References

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  1. ^ Reizner 1900, p. 282.
  2. ^ Gavrilović 1987, p. 194.
  3. ^ a b c d e Šain 2025, pp. 160–161.
  4. ^ Reizner, János (1900). Szeged története. Szeged (Hungary): Szeged szab. kirf város könzönsége. p. 282.
  5. ^ Gavrilović, Slavko; Ivan Jakšić (1987). Izvori o Srbima u Ugarskoj s kraja XVII i početkom XVIII veka, Volume 30 (in Serbian). Belgrade: Srpska akademija nauka i umetnosti. p. 194.
  6. ^ a b c d Gavrilović, Slavko (2006), "Isaija Đaković" (PDF), Zbornik Matice Srpske za Istoriju (in Serbian), vol. 74, Novi Sad: Matica Srpska, Department of Social Sciences, Proceedings i History, p. 7, archived from the original (PDF) on 16 September 2011, retrieved 21 December 2011, U toku Velikog bečkog rata, naročito posle oslobođenja Budima 1686. srpski narod u Ugarskoj, Slavoniji, Bačkoj, Banatu, [...] priključivao se carskim trupama i kao „rašanska, racka" milicija učestvovao u borbama [...] u Lipi, Jenovi i Đuli...carska vojska i srpska milicija oslobodile su u proleće i leto 1688, [...] U toku Velikog bečkog rata, ... srpski narod.. od pada Beograda u ruke austrijske vojske 1688. i u Srbiji priključivao se carskim trupama i kao „rašanska, racka" milicija učestvovao u borbama [...] u toku 1689–1691. borbe su prenete na Banat. Srbe u njima predvodio je vojvoda Novak Petrović
  7. ^ Janićijević, Jovan (1996), Kulturna riznica Srbije (in Serbian), IDEA, p. 70, ISBN 9788675470397, Велики или Бечки рат Аустрије против Турске, у којем су Срби, као добровољци, масовно учествовали на аустријској страни
  8. ^ "Српски Биографски Речник" (PDF). Matica Srpska. p. 95. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 May 2012. Retrieved 12 December 2011. Знорић Зич, Антоније (Antonius Valerius Zitsch von Znoritsch), пуковник, командант српске милиције (Знорова, Чешка, прва половина XVII в. — Лугош, Румунија, 21. IХ 1695)
  9. ^ McKay & Scott. The Rise of the Great Powers 1648–1815, p.75
  10. ^ Tanić, Dejan (2005), Војно-стратешки значај средњег поморавља у Бечком Рату (1683–1699) (PDF) (in Serbian), Istorijski Arhiv Jagodine, p. 73, archived from the original (PDF) on 26 April 2012, retrieved 14 December 2011, Значај српских војника и устаника постао је пресудан после француског упада у Палатинат, у јесен 1688. године, због чега је цар Леополд I морао да повуче 30.000 војника из Угарске и пошаље их на Французе. Ово слабљење аустријске војске на Дунаву није спречило цара Леополда и Дворски ратни савет да направе офанзивни ратни план за борбу против Турака
  11. ^ Tanić, Dejan (2005), Војно-стратешки значај средњег поморавља у Бечком Рату (1683–1699) (PDF) (in Serbian), Istorijski Arhiv Jagodine, p. 74, archived from the original (PDF) on 26 April 2012, retrieved 14 December 2011, Одлучан поход хабсбуршке војске кроз Србију уследио је после постављења фелдмаршала Лудвига Баденског за главнокомандујућег царске војске на балканском ратишту.
  12. ^ Tanić, Dejan (2005), Војно-стратешки значај средњег поморавља у Бечком Рату (1683–1699) (PDF) (in Serbian), Istorijski Arhiv Jagodine, p. 74, archived from the original (PDF) on 26 April 2012, retrieved 14 December 2011, Пре поласка у поход, Лудвиг Баденски је по целој Србији разаслао прогласе, којима је позивао народ да се диже на оружје. Српски устаници били су организовани у чете и додељивани редовној војсци. Аустријанци су ове српске ратнике (пешадинце) називали хајдуцима, док су коњанике називали српским хусарима.
  13. ^ Tanić, Dejan (2005), Војно-стратешки значај средњег поморавља у Бечком Рату (1683–1699) (PDF) (in Serbian), Istorijski Arhiv Jagodine, p. 73, archived from the original (PDF) on 26 April 2012, retrieved 14 December 2011, Претходницу је чинила Српска милиција (хусари), под командом капетана Павла Несторивића Деака. У судару две претходнице, 29. августа 1689. године, код Баточине, Турци су били поражени и потиснути ка својој главнини.
  14. ^ Andrić 1991, p. 209.
  15. ^ a b c d Cerović, Ljubivoje (1997), Srbi u Slovačkoj, OCLC 163390979, retrieved 22 December 2011, Jovan Monasterlija se nalazio na južnoj granici, gde je od proleća 1690. godine prikupljao srpsku vojsku. Odatle je..., najavio svoj skori dolazak u Budim na čelu srpske vojske, pošto je neposredno pre toga imenovan za rackog, odnosno srpskog kapetana. [...] Hrišćanska vojska se u blizini Slankamena našla nasuprot turskoj 19. avgusta 1691. godine. ... U odlučujući juriš na Turke prvi je krenuo Jovan Monasterlija na čelu srpske vojske. [...] Već na proleće 1692. godine, srpska vojska je pod vođstvom Jovana Monasterlije upućena prema Velikom Varadinu, kako bi pomogla da ovo utvrđenje konačno padne u ruke carske vojske. Posle ove bitke, komandno mesto Srpske milicije postala je Baja. [...] Dvor je najpre oduzeo ingerencije Monasterliji. Od "vicegubernatora srpskog plemena" Monasterlija je sve više postajao "racki oberkapetan".
  16. ^ (Cerović 2002, p. 36): "Већ следеће, 1698. године, у знак признања, Јован Текелија је поста- вљен за капетана Српске милиције у Араду, ..."
  17. ^ a b c Kostić, Lalić & Gavrilović 2001, p. 13.
  18. ^ Kostić, Lalić & Gavrilović 2001, p. 31.
  19. ^ Davidov 1990, p. 284.
  20. ^ Srpsko učeno društvo (1871). Glasnik Srpskoga učenog društva. Vol. 30–32. pp. 87–.

Sources

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