Voivode Hadzhi Dimitar

Dimitar Nikolov Asenov, better known as Hadzhi Dimitar, was an exceptionally significant Bulgarian voivode, born in Sliven into the family of the merchant Nikola Asenov and Marinka. In his 28 years of life, he became one of the important figures in the history of the Bulgarian liberation movement.

Hadzhi Dimitar began his hajduk activities in 1862, when he participated in a detachment commanded by Stoyan the Voivode of Sliven. In 1865, together with Stefan Karadzha, he formed a detachment that crossed the Danube and operated around hajduk gathering places such as Aglikina Polyana.

In the spring of 1866, Hadzhi Dimitar led a detachment from Romania towards the Sliven Balkan Mountains, where he fought the Turks. He continued his active participation in the following years and in 1868 formed a detachment in Romania together with Stefan Karadzha. It successfully crossed the Danube and fought a series of battles, inflicting heavy losses on Ottoman units.

On 9 July 1868, at Kanladere, a locality within the lands of Vishovgrad, the detachment of Hadzhi Dimitar and Stefan Karadzha fought a bloody battle and was defeated. Stefan Karadzha was wounded and captured, while Hadzhi Dimitar continued towards the Balkan Mountains with fifty-eight men. On 18 July 1868, the detachment fought its final battle at Buzludzha Peak in the Shipka Mountains, where, according to some sources, Hadzhi Dimitar died. His death is described in detail by eyewitnesses and witnesses, emphasising his great energy and determination.

According to testimony, Hadzhi Dimitar was killed after five hours of determined fighting, revolver in hand, surrendering only after being seriously wounded. His heroic battle and death remain recorded in the history of the Bulgarian national struggle, and Hristo Botev celebrated him in his ballad.

The honour paid to his memory is also reflected in the naming of Hadzhi Dimitar Peak on the Antarctic Peninsula.