# Uprising of Dervish Cara (1843–1844)

URL: https://allhistories.com/northmacedonia/timeline/1843-uprising-of-dervish-cara
Location: Skopje, Skopje Region
Themes: Wars & Revolts

The Tanzimat reforms threatened the old military and landholding order in the Albanian-inhabited lands of the western Balkans. New taxes, compulsory recruitment into the regular army, attempts at disarmament and the replacement of local leaders by appointed officials provoked widespread anger. The arrest and killing of local pashas, among them Abdurrahman Pasha of Tetovo and his brothers, added to the discontent. After risings in Prizren, Priština and Gjakova were suppressed in the summer of 1843, a larger revolt broke out around Skopje in July 1843 under Dervish Cara. The rebels took Gostivar in November 1843, Tetovo in January 1844 and Skopje and Kumanovo in February 1844, then extended their control to Preševo, Vranje and Leskovac. A Great Council governed the rebel areas and demanded an end to conscription, the appointment of Albanian-speaking officials and autonomy similar to that granted to Serbia. The Ottoman government sent Omer Pasha with about 30,000 troops. After heavy fighting at the Katlanovo pass in May 1844, the army entered Skopje on 21 May, followed by reprisals, and retook the rebel towns. Dervish Cara was captured in the summer of 1844 and sentenced to death, later commuted to imprisonment, though fighting continued in the Debar region.

## Why it matters
The revolt was the largest challenge to the Tanzimat in Macedonia and briefly placed Skopje and Tetovo under rebel rule.

Ruler at the Time: [Abdulmejid I](https://allhistories.com/northmacedonia/rulers/abdulmejid-i)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Uprising of Dervish Cara](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uprising_of_Dervish_Cara)
- [Wikipedia — Dervish Cara](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dervish_Cara)
- [Wikipedia — Ottoman Macedonia (period overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ottoman_Macedonia)