Tekelija played a particularly important role in the Battle of Zenta held in 1697, a major battle that ended Ottoman dominance in Europe. Before the battle Tekelija held the position of Captain of Senta. On 11 September Tekelija broke through to the war council held in Bečej and informed Prince Eugene of Savoy, whose forces were in Szenttamás and Bečej, that the Ottomans were preparing to cross the Tisa river and leave Bačka. Prince Eugene then asked Tekelija to lead the imperial army through the swamps and marsh to the rear of the Turks encampment as night was falling. Half of the Ottoman army was on the opposite bank and the surprise was total, 30,000 Ottomans soldiers died, including the Grand Vizier.