Voivode Kolyo Mazhkoto

Nikola Shterev, known as Kolyo Mazhkoto, was a Bulgarian revolutionary and Kukush voivode of the Internal Macedonian-Adrianople Revolutionary Organisation (IMARO). He was born in Bogoroditsa in the Thessaloniki district of the Ottoman Empire, now in Greece.

Kolyo Mazhkoto became a fighter in Ivancho Karasuliyata's detachment and took part in the capture of Turan Bey. One of his notable battles took place on 20 March 1899 at Gavalyantsi in the Kukush district, incorrectly described in the Internal Organisation's Memorandum as "the first battle fought by an IMARO detachment". In this engagement he fought Turkish troops and Ottoman irregulars for three hours. One detachment fighter and several soldiers died in the battle.

In March 1903 Kolyo Mazhkoto again fought with his detachment near Orizartsi in the Enidzhe Vardar district, this time against Turkish troops and Ottoman irregulars. His participation in various battles and exploits testifies to his active role in the struggle to liberate and protect the Bulgarian population in Macedonia and the Adrianople region during the Kukush period.