Iliya Markov (, , ; May 28, 1805 – April 17, 1898), known as Ilyo Voyvoda or Dedo Iljo Maleshevski, was a Bulgarians revolutionary and hajduk
Early life
Iliya was born in the city of
Berovo, at the time part of the
Rumelia Eyalet of the
Ottoman Empire (in modern eastern
North Macedonia) on May 28, 1805.
His father was named Marko Popgeorgiev (Марко Попгеоргиев/Поп-Георгиев, hence
Markov). Ilyo was a prominent
hajduk voyvoda (commander) of
cheta's (armed bands) in Maleshevo,
Rila and
Pirin. Later he worked as a keeper in the
Rila monastery. In 1859 he moved to
Belgrade. In 1862, he joined the
Bulgarian Legion,
headquartered in Belgrade, and took part in the Serbian-Turkish War (1876–77) and Russo-Turkish War (1877–78).
The Ottoman authorities defined him as an
outlaw, perceiving the band led by him as a threat to the state security after his band attacked the Ottoman authorities in Macedonia.
Liberation of Bulgaria
Illyo fought against the
Ottoman Empire for the liberation of Bulgaria.
During the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–1878 he operated with a band near
Lovech. His band joined the Western divisions of general Joseph Vladimirovich Gourko and participated in the liberation of
Sofia, Radomir and
Kyustendil. Illyo was one of the Bulgarian representatives at the signing of the Treaty of San Stefano, where the liberation of Bulgaria was officially recognized.
It was there he was awarded a medal for bravery.
[Petrinska, M., Illyo Voivoda zhitie-bitie, Sofia, 1988, Narodna Mladezh, p. 76]
Post-Liberation activity
After the Treaty of Berlin, Ilyo participated in the Rila congress on September 8, 1878, where it was decided to start an uprising in Kresna.
He took part in the Kresna-Razlog Uprising (1878–1879). Illyo Voivoda and his band took part in Serbo-Bulgarian War despite the advancing age of the leader. As part of the Radomir squad they participated in the battles of
Breznik, Slivnitsa and
Vranje among others. During the 1890s he was involved with the Internal Macedonian-Adrianople Revolutionary Organization as an advisor. He died in Kyustendil in 1898.
Legacy
Folk songs have honored him.
Some of his personal belongings are kept in the monastery of St. Archangel Michael which serves as the city museum of
Berovo.
commemorates him as a national hero.
In the late 1970s, the house in which he lived in Kyustendil was restored, becoming a museum dedicated to the national liberation struggles in the Kyustendil region.
A monument dedicated to him is near the museum.
His grave is also located in Kyustendil.
Ilyo Point on Clarence Island, Antarctica, is named after Ilyo Voyvoda.
External links
