The First Pirot Uprising

The Pirot Uprising broke out in 1836 in response to plundering by the ayan Mahmud Kapudzhi Bashi and the Greek bishop Hieronymus. It encompassed the Pirot, Niš, Tran, Visok, Znepole and other regions. The conspirators were led by Hadzhi Nesho.

The spontaneous uprising began with around 8,000 armed activists assembling on its first day. The participants displayed courage and successfully struck fear into the Turkish beys. The Turkish authorities sent a commissioner from Bitola, who, as on previous occasions, managed to break up the uprising after the ayan and bishop were replaced.

The uprising's leaders included Varban Panov, Kalcho Andreev, Mityu Pop Andreev and Krastyu Neshin. Many villages actively joined the struggle. Serbia again failed to send the promised support, leading to the uprising's defeat. Some insurgents returned after receiving Turkish promises, but most fought while gradually retreating into Serbia. Many who returned were captured, imprisoned and killed. The leader Varban Panov secretly returned to his homeland, but relatives betrayed him and he was hanged.

The First Pirot Uprising of 1836 ended in defeat for the insurgents. Despite their large armed force and courage, the Turkish authorities suppressed the revolt. The Turkish army sent a commissioner from Bitola, who successfully replaced the ayan and bishop, calming the situation. Despite some initial successes, negotiations and the replacement of Turkish officials caused the uprising to dissolve and restored Ottoman control over the region.