Revolutionary Ivan Drasov

Ivan Todorov Drasov was a Bulgarian national revolutionary, public figure and statesman who actively participated in the revolutionary struggle and politics of the early Bulgarian liberation movement. He was born on 19 March 1848 in Lovech and studied at the Holy Apostles monitorial school in Gornia Kray, in the Drastene neighbourhood.

After completing his schooling, Ivan Drasov engaged in trade and became known in Lovech as Vanyo the Tailor. He also distinguished himself in the revolutionary struggle, actively participating in initiatives to establish an independent Bulgarian Church. He was also an activist in Lovech's Nauka community cultural centre and a well-known amateur performer in its theatrical productions.

Ivan Drasov was a close associate and confidant of Vasil Levski, appearing as Vanyo in the Apostle's personal notebook. In 1869 the first meeting of the Lovech Local Revolutionary Committee was convened in his home, and he held important leadership positions in it. After the robbery at Hadzhi Dencho's house in August 1872, Ivan Drasov left Lovech and continued his education in the Czech lands, actively conducting agitation among Bulgarian students.

After completing his education in the Czech lands, Ivan Drasov settled in Bucharest, Romania. There he attended the general assembly of the Bulgarian Revolutionary Central Committee (BRCC) in August 1875, which decided on the forthcoming uprising in Bulgaria. At the same time he corresponded and worked extensively among Bulgarian emigrants in Romania, particularly in connection with the Stara Zagora Uprising (1875) and the April Uprising (1876).

Ivan Drasov was a close friend of Hristo Botev and Panayot Hitov, maintained extensive correspondence with other revolutionary activists and worked with the editorial staff of the newspaper Vazrazhdane (Revival). He left Lovech after the robbery at Hadzhi Dencho's house, having been warned by Ali Chaush in August 1872.

Ivan Drasov also played an important part in establishing the new BRCC leadership in 1875, which included Hristo Botev, Hristo Chobanov, Dimitar Tsenovich and Dragoy Shopov. Ivan Drasov took the position of committee secretary.

His revolutionary pseudonym was Afaz Efendi or Afazaa.