Voivode Petar Karposh

Petar, known by the nickname Karposh, was an insurgent of Bulgarian origin who led an uprising in northern Macedonia. He proclaimed himself king while recognising the suzerainty of the Holy Roman Emperor.

Born in a small village called Voynik, Petar Karposh sought a livelihood in the mines and emigrated to Wallachia for work. Having suffered Turkish abuse, he decided to lead a hajduk band in the late 17th century. In 1689, during the Austro-Turkish War, he led the Bulgarian uprising against Ottoman rule in northern and northeastern Macedonia.

During this period, he liberated territory in Znepole. The sultan personally ordered his capture. After the Austrians took various Turkish fortresses in the region, the sultan sought to suppress the revolt by winning Karposh to his side. He was amnestied and appointed chief of the martolos auxiliaries in the Kyustendil region and Macedonia. Karposh rejected this position and continued leading the uprising. He eventually proclaimed himself king of Kumanovo and a vassal of the Austrian emperor. Whether the Austrian authorities recognised his authority remains disputed.

Different versions exist concerning the place and circumstances of Karposh's capture and the uprising itself. Sources offer differing accounts of precisely how he was caught and the consequences of his capture.