The Gorna Dzhumaya Uprising

In the autumn of 1902, the situation in Macedonia and Edirne Thrace deteriorated sharply. These territories hoped for support from Bulgaria and, in turn, Russia in their struggles for independence. A plan for an uprising was adopted on 18 September 1902. Bulgarians were called upon to join the revolutionary detachments and to seek help from the Great Powers so that autonomy could be established in Macedonia. The Gorna Dzhumaya Uprising broke out on 23 September 1902. An Ottoman army of 15,000 was sent against the approximately 3,000 insurgents. The uprising was suppressed.

Although it ended in failure, the uprising secured limited concessions from the Ottoman Empire. A reform of the rural watchmen was introduced, replacing Muslim watchmen who had terrorised Christian settlements with members of the local Christian population.