He was born in a trading family in Gornji Matejevac near Niš, where his parents settled after coming from Vidin. As a boy, Nikola learned the craft of weaving, and after the death of his father, he opened his own shop. As early as 1804, as soon as he heard about the Slaughter of the Knezes ("Seča knezova") Nikola joined the First Serbian Uprising and led the insurgents from his native village. Soon he would distinguish himself in battles.