Revolutionary Ivan Arabadzhiyata

Ivan Atanasov (Tanov) Arabadzhiyata was a Bulgarian national revolutionary, known as one of Vasil Levski's most devoted associates. He was a delegate to the Oborishte Assembly, a participant in the April Uprising and the Unification, and also a member of parliament.

Ivan Arabadzhiyata is believed to have been born in the village of Karatoprak, now Chernozemen, in the Plovdiv district, although there are also hypotheses that he was born in Karlovo. He was the younger brother of the revolutionary Petar Arabadzhiyata. In 1865 he settled in Tsaratsovo near Plovdiv, where he spent much of his life working as an arabadzhiya, a wheelwright and blacksmith.

He began his revolutionary activity as a close collaborator of Vasil Levski. He sheltered Levski in his home and helped establish revolutionary committees of the Internal Revolutionary Organisation. He was also one of the key figures of the Bulgarian Revolutionary Central Committee in the Plovdiv district and carried out important assignments. Even after Levski's death, Ivan Arabadzhiyata remained devoted to the revolutionary cause and actively participated in preparations for the April Uprising in 1876.

As representative of the revolutionary committee in the village of Tsaratsovo, he attended the Oborishte Assembly. After the uprising began, he organised a detachment in the village but was captured. He endured severe torture before being released.

Ivan Arabadzhiyata enjoyed considerable authority after the Liberation. He actively participated in the Unification of the Principality of Bulgaria and Eastern Rumelia as the leader of a small detachment. For his great contribution to his homeland and revolutionary activity, he was elected a deputy in the Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Ordinary National Assemblies.