Stefan Karadzha

Infobox Person
name = Stefan Karadzha
Stefan Todorov Dimov

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image_size = 200px
caption =
birth_date = birth date|1840|5|11|mf=y
birth_place = Ichme, near Yambol, Bulgaria
death_date = death date and age|1868|7|31|1840|5|11|mf=y
death_place = Rousse, Bulgaria
occupation =
spouse =

Stefan Karadzha ( _bg. Стефан Караджа; born Stefan Todorov Dimov, Стефан Тодоров Димов; May 11, 1840-July 31, 1868), was a Bulgarian national hero, a revolutionary from the national liberation movement and a prominent leader of rebellion against the Ottoman Empire.

He was born in the village of Ichme (now "Stefan Karadzhovo"), near Yambol in Rumelia, and was reputedly a descendant of Momchil Voyvoda. Karadzha studied in Tulcea, Dobruja, but quit school due to lack of funding. During a wedding celebration, he defeated the famous Turkish wrestler Gaazi Plisa . Going in hiding for some time, as Ottoman authorities were searching for him, he then emigrated to Principality of Romania and later joined the First Bulgarian Legion in Belgrade, Principality of Serbia.

Karadzha crossed the Danube from Wallachia a couple of times, carrying out revolutionary tasks. In 1867, he joined the Second Bulgarian Legion, which he quit the following year before returning to Romania, where he had a meeting with Hadzhi Dimitar. On June 6, both of them were leaders of a detachment of 129 people, and crossed the Danube at Vardim, near Svishtov. Their cheta was supposed to get to Stara planina and establish there a revolutionary government which would then command a general uprising of all Bulgarians. [cite book
last =Jelavich
first =Charles
title =The Establishment of the Balkan National States, 1804-1920
publisher =University of Washington Press
date =1986
location =
pages =p.137
isbn =0295964138 ] This was not to happen though as the group was discovered by Turkish forces shortly after crossing the river. [Jelavich p.137] Stefan Karadzha was badly wounded during the fight at Kanladere near Vishovgrad, and was captured by the army and police sent by the chairman of the State Council, Midhat Pasha. Afterwards, on July 12, he was convoyed to Tarnovo, and later to Rousse.

Karadzha was standing half-dead before the emergency Turkish court, assembled by Midhat Pasha, the so-called "criminal council", and sentenced to death by hanging. After being executed, he was buried by Tonka Obretenova, where his skull is preserved.

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