Montenegrin–Ottoman War (1876–1878)

**The Montenegrin–Ottoman War** (referred to as the "Great War" in Montenegro) was fought between Montenegro and the Ottoman Empire from 1876 to 1877. In 1878 Montenegro won the war. It defeated the Ottoman Empire in the larger Russo-Turkish War of 1877–1878. There were six big battles and 27 small battles, including the important Battle of Vučji Do.

A rebellion in nearby Herzegovina sparked a series of rebellions against the Ottomans in Europe. Montenegro and Serbia decided to fight against the Ottomans on June 18, 1876. The Montenegrin people formed an alliance with the Herzegovians. One of the most important battles for the conquest of Montenegro was the Battle of Vučji Do in 1877. Montenegrins fought a fierce battle on the border between Herzegovina and Albania. Prince Nicholas of Montenegro led a counterattack against Ottoman forces from the north, south, and west. He captured Nikšić (24 September 1877), Bar (10 January 1877). 1878), Ulcinj (20 January 1878), Grmožur (26 January 1878), Vranjina and Lesendro (30 January 1878).

The war ended when the Ottomans signed an armistice with Montenegro at Edirne on January 13, 1878. Russian troops pressured the Ottomans into signing the peace treaty when On March 3, 1878, this treaty recognized the independence of Montenegro along with the independence of Romania and Serbia. Montenegro's territory also expanded from 4,405 km to 9,475 km. Montenegro captured the cities of Nikšić, Kolašin, Špuz, Podgorica, Žabljak and Bar and was granted access to the sea.

## Background

In October 1874, an important Ottoman official, Jusuf-beg Mučin Krnjić, was murdered in Podgorica, which was then an Ottoman town near the Montenegro border. It is believed that he was killed by a relative of vojvoda Marko Miljanov, a Montenegrin general who likely encouraged the murder. In response, the Ottomans attacked the local population and Montenegrin citizens at the farmers' market in Podgorica, killing an estimated 17 unarmed Montenegrins. This event became known as the "Podgorica's slaughter" (Podgorički pokolj), and it worsened relations between Montenegro and the Ottoman Empire. These tensions grew further after the Herzegovina uprising in 1875. Montenegro supported the rebels by giving them military and financial aid and advocating for their cause to the Ottoman government. Montenegro also asked for part of Herzegovina to be given to them, but the Ottomans refused. As a result, Montenegro declared war on June 18, 1876 (or June 30), and soon after, its ally, the Principality of Serbia, joined in.

## War

At the start of the war, when Miljanov arrived in Kuči, a region near the Ottoman border, the Kuči people revolted and attacked the Ottomans. The Ottomans stationed soldiers in several forts, including Medun, Fundina, Koći, Zatrijebač and Orahovo.

The Piperi and Kuči tribes joined forces to attack Koći, killing some Ottomans. They also found Ottomans in tower houses and tried to destroy them using wooden cannons. An epic poem about the war describes how Abdi Pasha, a Cherkessian leader with 20,000 soldiers from the Sanjak of Scutari, was sent by the sultan to attack the Kuči and Piperi tribes.  The poem describes how part of his army advanced on Koći and fought in Zatrijebač and Fundina.

During the Montenegrin-Ottoman War, the Montenegrin army managed to capture some areas and settlements along the border but faced strong resistance from  Albanians in Ulcinj and a combined Albanian-Ottoman force in the Podgorica-Spuž and Gusinje-Plav regions.  As a result, Montenegro’s territorial gains were limited. Some Muslims and Albanians living near the southern border were expelled from Podgorica and Spuž and moved to Shkodër city and nearby areas.

## Notable battles

- Battle of Vučji Do (18 July 1876)
- Battle of Fundina (2 August 1876)

## Sources

- Спиридон Гопчевић, „Црногорско-турски рат 1876. до 1878. године". Београд 1963

## Infobox (military conflict)

- **conflict**: Montenegrin–Ottoman War of 1876–1878
- **partof**: Great Eastern Crisis
- **image**: Vucji Do flag.jpg
- **caption**: The Montenegrin krstaš-barjak (cross flag) from the Battle of Vučji Do was damaged by bullets from the Ottoman forces. It became one of the symbols of the war and Montenegrin resistance.
- **date**: 18 June 1876 – 19 February 1878
- **place**: Principality of Montenegro and Sanjak of Herzegovina
- **territory**: De jure independence of Montenegro
* increasing Montenegro territory from 4,405 km² to 9,475 km².
- **result**: Montenegrin victory
*Treaty of San Stefano
*Treaty of Berlin (1878), Treaty of Berlin
- **combatant1**: **Supported by:**
  Russian Empire
- **commander1**: Nicholas I of Montenegro, Prince Nicholas I
Marko Miljanov, Marko Miljanov Popović
Simo Baćović
- **commander2**: Ahmed Muhtar Pasha
Osman Nuri Pasha, Osman Pasha
Mustafa Celalettin Pasha