Revolutionary Nikola Simov

Nikola Simov, called "Kuruto" or "Kuroto", was a Bulgarian revolutionary and the first standard-bearer of Botev's detachment. He was born around 1845 in Eski Dzhumaya, where he engaged in small-scale trade and joined revolutionary activities. Because of a death sentence imposed by the Turkish authorities, he fled to Romania, where he worked at Lyuben Karavelov's printing house in Bucharest and formed a close friendship with Hristo Botev.

On 18 May 1876, during the battle on Milin Kamak hill, Nikola Simov (Kuruto) was wounded and probably killed by Turkish troops. The flag he carried was taken by Dimitar Stefanov, known as the Cossack from Sliven, who took the detachment's oath by kissing the flagstaff, which bore traces of Nikola Simov's blood.

Zahari Stoyanov describes Kuruto as a man distinguished by his revolutionary activity and bravery. He had a reputation as a rebel, frequently went to prison for killing Turkish ruffians and was respected by the Turks for it. When Kuruto received Botev's detachment's flag, Botev urged him to make the sign of the cross over it and kiss it, entrusting him with a grave responsibility: to hold on to it even after death. This moment became part of the history of the Bulgarian revolutionary struggle.