Battle of Rudnik (1804)

Battle of Rudnik
Part of the First Serbian Uprising

Ruins at Rudnik, drawing by Felix Kanitz (1829–1904)
Date4–6 March 1804
Location
Result Serbian victory
Territorial
changes
Rudnik in rebel hands
Belligerents
Serbian rebels Dahije
Ottoman city garrison
Commanders and leaders
Karađorđe
Milan Obrenović
Sali-aga
Alil Džavić 
Pljakić 
Čolak-Alija
Units involved
Šumadija army
Rudnik nahija army
Janissaries
Rudnik deli and local soldiers
Čačak soldiers
Casualties and losses
Little 300+

The Battle of Rudnik was undertaken by the Serbian rebel army led by Karađorđe against the town of Rudnik, in the hands of the Dahije (renegade Janissaries) in early March 1804. Rudnik was the centre of the Rudnik nahija in the main rebel territory of Šumadija. It was in the hands of Sali-aga, a notorious Janissary. After failed negotiations and skirmishes, the two sides agreed that the Dahije leave the town. They were pursued and defeated, however, Sali-aga managed to escape to Čačak. The Muslim population left the town on their own will.