Battle of Kolašin

Battle of Kolašin
Part of theOttoman wars in Europe
Date 28 July 1858 Location Kolašin Result Montenegrin victory
Belligerents
Principality of Montenegro	Ottoman Empire
Commanders and leaders
Novica Cerović Miljan Vešović	Unknown
Strength
~5,000	Unknown

TheBattle of Kolašin(Serbian:Bitka kod Kolašina) took place on July 28, 1858 between thePrincipality of Montenegroand theOttoman EmpirenearKolašin.The Montenegrin army was composed of 5,000 tribesmen from theVasojevići,Morača,Rovca,Drobnjaci,Uskoci andKuči.The Montenegrin army burnt all of the Turkish katuns on theSinjajevinamountain, and razed the villages of Trebaljevo,LipovoandŠtitarica.

The attack on Kolašin caused numerous political problems and diplomatic complications, which would later become known as the "Kolašin Affair" (Serbian:Kolašinska afera). Disagreements were put aside with the engagement of diplomatic representatives of theGreat Powers,who showed a great interest in the situation occurring in the Balkans. There are some disputes as to whether the attack was authorised by Montenegrin government.Prince Danilowas unaware of it, although there are some indications that his brother, theGrand Duke Mirko,might have allowed it. Tradition has it that the attack was the result of an agreement between thevoivodesof the Drobnjaci and the Vasojevići,Novica Cerovićand Miljan Vukov, with aim to avenge the death of Miljan's brother Đorđije who was killed in ambush laid by Kolašin's Muslims. ThearchimandriteofMorača,Dimitrije Radojević, supported the plan and proved to be a key figure in mobilising the remaining tribes to act. The town was almost completely destroyed during attack. As a result, Duke Miljan was questioned by international commission inDubrovnikand acquitted while Duke Novica took refuge inBoka Kotorskafor a while. Although unsatisfied with Dukes acting on their own, Prince Danilo later commemorated the participants by erecting a bridge over Mrtvica river in their honor.