Čolak-Anta

Čolak-Anta Simeonović
Native name	Чолак-Анта Симеоновић
Birth name	Antonije Simeonović
Nickname(s)	Čolak-Anta
Born	(1777-01-17)January 17, 1777 Sredska, Ottoman Empire
Died	August 23, 1853(1853-08-23) (aged 76) Kragujevac, Principality of Serbia
Allegiance	Serbian revolutionaries
Rank	Vojvoda
Battles / wars	First Serbian Uprising
Children	7
Relations	Ilija Čolak-Antić (grandson)

Čolak-Anta Simeonović (Serbian Cyrillic: Чолак-Анта Симеоновић; 1777–1853) was a Serbian military commander and revolutionary leader who played a significant role in the First Serbian Uprising (1804–1813), the initial phase of Serbia’s struggle for independence from the Ottoman Empire. A close ally of Karađorđe Petrović, he was known for his military skill, bravery, and leadership, which earned him the rank of vojvoda (duke). Following the collapse of the uprising, he went into exile before returning to Serbia to contribute to its administrative and judicial systems. He is the eponymous founder of the Čolak-Antić family.

Early life and background

Antonije Simeonović was born on 17 January 1777, the feast day of St Anthony the Great, in Sredska near Prizren, a former capital of the Serbian Empire (in present-day Kosovo). At the time of his birth, the region was under Ottoman rule. A member of a prominent family, he left Prizren following a violent escalation of a feud with another family. Settling in Belgrade, the seat of the Sanjak of Smederevo, where he became known as both a trader and a smuggler, dealing in the transport of weapons across the Sava River from the Habsburg Empire. Due to his height, he was first known as "Uzun-Anta" (Tall Anta).

The start of the uprising

At the start of the 19th century, Serbia had endured over 350 years of Ottoman rule. In 1799, Sultan Selim III allowed renegade Janissary leaders known as the Dahije to return to Serbia. They murdered a popular governor and, in January 1804, carried out the Slaughter of the Knezes, beheading around eighty Serbian notables (knezes) in an attempt to suppress Serbian leadership. Their oppressive rule united the Serbs instead.

In early 1804, shortly before the Serbian uprising, Čolak-Anta travelled to Prizren to purchase goods. Before his departure, the Dahije instructed him to acquire weapons from the janissaries and deliver them to their forces. Čolak-Anta purchased seven loads of rifles, pistols, and other supplies, intending from the outset to deliver them to the emerging Serbian rebel leadership. As he approached Karanovac, Muselim Pljaka, the local Ottoman governor, learned of the weapons transport and dispatched troops to intercept it. Čolak-Anta and his men fought back and successfully retained control of the cargo. Čolak-Anta then proceeded to Topola, the rebel stronghold, where he delivered the arms to Karađorđe Petrović, the leader of the rebellion. This action affirmed his allegiance to the uprising and significantly bolstered the rebels' resources. Čolak-Anta soon distinguished himself as a brave and resourceful fighter, becoming one of Karađorđe’s most trusted allies. For his contributions and military skill, he was appointed Buljukbaša (commander of a military unit). He participated in key battles, capturing strategic locations such as Rudnik on 28 February 1804, Valjevo, Požarevac on 18 May 1804, and Šabac on 1 May 1804.

In 1806, during a clash with Ottoman forces near Ostružnica, southwest of Belgrade, Čolak-Anta was severely wounded while defending local villages from raids. As he deflected a Turk’s sabre with his pistol, the blade struck his left hand, severing it halfway up the wrist and leaving him partially disabled. Historian Konstantin Nenadović described the event: “Anta threw the pistol under the sabre and deflected the blade, but the Turk’s sabre caught his left hand, cutting it halfway up the wrist. The Turk, already wounded by Anta, fell dead.” This injury earned him the nickname “Čolak-Anta,” meaning “Anta the Crippled,” and he continued to play an important role in the uprising, despite his disability. That same year, in 1806, he participated in a series of offensives targeting Kuršumlija, Prokuplje, and Banjska as Karadjordje made every effort to raise, in addition to the Pashalik of Belgrade, as many Serbian territories as possible. These campaigns combined military action with the strategic resettlement of Serbian Christians from southern Serbia. Working alongside Anta Protić, he aimed to strengthen Serbian forces while undermining the Ottoman administration by disrupting its local tax and recruitment networks. The scale of these migrations was significant, with many families relocating to liberated territories.

In 1806, the Serbian rebels consolidated their power, establishing Smederevo as a temporary capital. By the end of the year, they captured Belgrade (29 December 1806), forcing the Dahije to flee. The renegades were later apprehended on Ada Kaleh, an island on the Danube and executed. By the winter of 1806, the Serbs controlled the entire Sanjak, including Belgrade, the rebel army then advanced towards Stari Vlah, Bosnia and Metohija. The success of the uprising heightened Ottoman fears of a Christian revolt. In response, Sultan Selim III sought negotiations, offering the rebels autonomy. The Serbs, resolute in their pursuit of independence, rejected the proposal. The collapse of these negotiations led the Sultan to launch a large-scale military campaign to suppress the rebellion. In December 1806, the Serbian rebels defeated a larger Ottoman force at the Battle of Deligrad, resulting in a truce. On 5 January 1807, the Ottoman Empire declared war against Russia and Great Britain, while the insurgents broke through to Kuršumlija.

Expanding the rebellion

In May 1809, Čolak-Anta accompanied the Serbian leader on a campaign towards Herzegovina and Montenegro. Taking advantage of their alliance with Russia, which was at war with the Ottoman Empire, the rebel forces reached Sjenica, Nova Varoš, Prijepolje and Bijelo Polje. The rebels first captured Sjenica and then laid siege to Nova Varoš. Returning to Sjenica, they defeated Numan Pasha of Peć and his Albanian cavalry, which numbered 20,000 men.

Čolak-Anta and Raka Ljevajac, leading a force of 2,000 men, crossed the River Lim and reached the Prijepolje garrison. There, they engaged in intense combat with Ottoman forces, ultimately achieving victory. These successes boosted morale and inspired widespread resistance in Herzegovina, encouraging many locals taking up arms to join the rebel forces. Karadjordje's attempt to establish relations with the Montenegrin tribes through Sjenica led many Kosovo Serbs to join the insurgents. Petar I Petrović-Njegoš, the Bishop of Montenegro, sent an emissary along with 300 men to meet Karađorđe and deliver a letter of greetings. A deputation from the Vasojević tribe approached Karađorđe, pledging their loyalty and readiness to fight against the Turks. In recognition of Čolak-Anta’s leadership during these campaigns, Karađorđe appointed him Vojvoda (military commander).

Mission to Montenegro

For the first time, an entire Christian population had successfully risen against the Ottomans, and Serbia functioned as a de facto independent state. Karađorđe appealed to the brotherhood of the Montenegrins and Bosnians to unite the Serbian nation. Čolak-Anta was sent alongside Raka Ljevajac to forge an alliance with the Vasojević tribe and strengthen ties between Serbia and Montenegro. Accompanied by Hadži-Prodan and 700 men, they initially made significant progress; however, Hadži-Prodan prematurely withdrew, leaving the wounded behind and returning to Serbia. In June, Čolak-Anta and Ljevajac led a group of fighters from Šumadija to the Morača Monastery to coordinate efforts with Herzegovinian insurgents against Ottoman forces. Their mission aimed to rally local support and prepare for an advance on the nearby town of Kolašin.

From the monastery, they wrote to Bishop Petar I Petrović-Njegoš, Prince Bishop of Montenegro, on 23 June 1809, informing him that Karađorđe was approaching the region with his army and planning an assault on Kolašin. They requested the bishop's assistance in rallying the people of Piva and Christian communities near Pljevlja to join the campaign. The letter concluded with a rallying call to the Montenegrins, urging them to seize the opportunity for unity and glory.

Montenegrins, grey falcons, Here comes fortune, sent by God,
 To show your heroic deeds,
 To seize great profit and gain,
 And to attain eternal glory! To unite with your brothers,
 To bring honour to your homeland.

— Čolak-Anta's appeal to Brotherhood,

In late June 1809, Bishop Petar responded to Čolak-Anta by inviting him to discuss and coordinate plans. According to historian Andrija Luburić, the true purpose of the invitation was to dissuade the rebels from attacking Kolašin. Čolak-Anta accepted the bishop’s request and travelled with his company through Rovca and Nikšićka Župa, eventually reaching Planinica, near Nikšić, where he met with Bishop Petar, the Brđani (A tribe of Highlanders), and Montenegrins.

At the time, the Ottoman-held town of Nikšić was under siege by rebellious Herzegovinian tribes. The town was isolated, with the nearest Ottoman-controlled settlement more than 50 kilometres away, resembling, according to Luburić, "a Turkish island in a Serbian sea." During their meeting, Čolak-Anta criticised Bishop Petar and the Montenegrins for their passivity while the Herzegovinians fought alone to besiege Nikšić. He urged the bishop to unite with the Herzegovinians, Montenegrins, and Brđani in an assault on the city, offering to lead the first attack with his Serbian contingent. The Bjelopavlići and Pješivci tribes supported Čolak-Anta’s proposal, pressuring Bishop Petar to reluctantly agree.

Crossing the Tara River and passing through the Drobnjaci region with their men, Čolak-Anta and Levajac arrived at the outskirts of Nikšić, where they constructed a trench at Previa. The assault on Nikšić began, but Bishop Petar and the Montenegrins chose to remain as observers rather than actively participate. Bishop Petar refused to support direct military action against the Nikšić Turks or permit the Montenegrins to engage, except briefly when reinforcements arrived from Karađorđe’s forces, led by Milan Obrenović and Miloš Obrenović. The insurgent forces clashed with Sulejman Pasha Skopljak’s troops, delivering a decisive defeat to the Ottomans. Approximately 1,000 Ottoman soldiers were killed in the battle, along with Jovan Šibalija and 13 Montenegrins. Following this victory, the rebel forces advanced to Kolašin, where they defeated another Ottoman contingent.

According to Luburić, Bishop Petar’s reluctance hindered efforts to secure broader cooperation against Ottoman forces, exposed the Bjelopavlići to significant losses, and allowed the Turks to prevail. Contemporary accounts report that the Turks took 124 Serbian heads that day. The Bjelopavlići suffered particularly heavy losses, including their standard-bearer, Zrno Stankov Šaranović.

The Montenegrins’ lack of support nearly escalated into open conflict between the Bjelopavlići and the Montenegrins. Abbot Đorđije Vujadinović, a clergyman and prominent mountain warrior, accused Bishop Petar of betrayal. In a heated moment, he even fired a rifle at the bishop. This incident underscores the divisions and mistrust among the Serbian and Montenegrin factions during the uprising. Despite Čolak-Anta’s efforts to unify the forces and lead the attack, the lack of cooperation resulted in significant losses and strained relations between the Herzegovinians, Bjelopavlići, and Montenegrins. Karadjordje's victorious advance towards Montenegro and the northern regions of Kosovo was interrupted by the Serbian insurgents' defeat at the Battle of Kamenica near Niš and the news that advancing Ottoman forces threatened Deligrad. In response, Karađorđe ordered all voivodes to abandon the newly conquered territories and retreat from the southwest to the north. Čolak-Anta and Levajac, whose path was cut off by Ottoman forces, were forced to navigate enemy-controlled territory. Narrowly avoiding capture, they eventually returned to Serbia.

Leadership and governance

In 1811, during a period of significant reorganisation within the insurgent leadership, the Serbian government formalised its administration by appointing ministers and establishing a structured governance system. On 3 July 1811, Čolak-Anta Simeunović was officially appointed Duke of Kruševac (Vojvoda), a position that underscored his importance within the rebellion and his ability to manage liberated territories. His appointment was formalised with a charter outlining the area and villages under his jurisdiction and detailing his responsibilities in governing the region. This document entrusted him with maintaining order, overseeing military and civil matters, and ensuring the well-being of the population. On 11 January 1812, a supplementary directive, known as a Častavlenija, provided additional instructions and clarified his authority within the Kruševac Nahija.

Exile and return to Serbia

The withdrawal of Russian troops following the Treaty of Bucharest (1812) allowed the Ottomans to concentrate on the Serbian rebels without outside interference. Three Ottoman armies converged on Serbia on three fronts and in 1813, Serbia fell back to Ottoman control. The rebel forces were compelled to retreat across the Danube, Čolak-Anta fled with his family, passing through towns such as Beodre, Kikinda, Komloš, and Rac-Bečkerek, before arriving in Timișoara, where he reported to the Timișoara command. Once permission was granted for Serbian dukes to leave for Russia, Čolak-Anta and his family departed on 17 September 1814, travelling through Transylvania (Erdelj) to their final destination. The family settled in Chișinău, (then part of Imperial Russia) receiving a stipend from the Russian government, a customary provision for Serbian dukes in exile. Later, by order of Tsar Alexander I, Čolak-Anta’s elder son, Konstantin (Kosta), was admitted to the 1st Cadet Corps in St. Petersburg to pursue a military education. Čolak-Anta remained in exile in Hotin, Bessarabia, until his return to Serbia in 1830 with other dukes loyal to Karađorđe.

Upon his return, Čolak-Anta transitioned to public service under Prince Miloš Obrenović. He became a member of the district court, reflecting his integration into Serbia’s governance during its early stages of state-building. By 1835, he was serving in law enforcement in Čačak, where he contributed to maintaining order and ensuring the implementation of legal authority. As a member of the Požega Nahija court, based in Čačak, where he and his family lived. He later moved to Kruševac in 1844 to follow Kosta who served as a member of the court. In 1848, following Kosta's sudden death, he moved to Kragujevac with his daughter-in-law and grandchildren. His later years were spent living between Kruševac and Kragujevac, supported by a pension of 140 thalers, which was granted to him in 1835. He died in Kragujevac in 1853 at the age of 76.

Family and descendants

Čolak-Anta Simeonović's descendants included numerous prominent figures. With his first wife Jelena, he had a son, Konstantin, and five daughters, while with his second wife Stoja, he had a son, Paul.

Konstantin married Jovanka Mitrović, a descendant of medieval Serbian nobility, had male descendants who attended the Military Academy and served as distinguished officers in the Serbian army. These included Lt. Colonel Lazar Čolak-Antić (1839–1877), commander of the Morava Division during the Serbian-Ottoman Wars (1876–1878). Lazar’s daughter, Milica, married Vladislav F. Ribnikar, the founder of Politika. Another notable descendant was Colonel Ilija Čolak-Antić (1836–1894), commander of the Ibar Army, who married Jelena Matić, daughter of Minister Dimitrije Matić. Their children included Dr. Boško Čolak-Antić (1871–1949), Marshal of King Petar I's Court, diplomat of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia; and Division General Vojin Čolak-Antić (1877–1945), Chief Inspector of Cavalry and Commander of the Order of the Légion d'Honneur. Vojin married Marija Grujić, daughter of Sava Grujić, a five-time Prime Minister of Serbia. They had a daughter Simonida and three sons: Cavalry Colonel Ilija Čolak-Antić (1905–1974), Cavalry Major Grujica Čolak-Antić (1906–1967); and Cavalry Lt. Colonel Petar Čolak-Antić (1907–1964).

From Paul Čolak-Antić’s lineage came Colonel Milivoje Čolak-Antić (1884–1944), a recipient of the Order of Karađorđe's Star and a Chetnik commander during the Balkan Wars. His sister, Milica Krstić (1887–1964), became one of the most significant female architects in early 20th-century Serbia and Yugoslavia. The family also included notable figures such as Ljubica Marić, a celebrated composer, and Mihailo Naumović, a lieutenant colonel in the General Staff.

Legacy

A portrait of Čolak-Anta is preserved in the National Museum of Serbia in Belgrade. Streets in Savski Venac, Belgrade, and Kruševac, central Serbia, bear his name.

See also

List of Serbian Revolutionaries

References

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