Balà ¡a (; ) or Balsha was a provincial lord of the Zeta in ca. 1362. He is the eponymous founder of the Balà ¡iànoble family.
He was a nobleman and military commander during the rule of Emperor Duà ¡an the Mighty (r. 1331âÂÂ1355) but managed to expand his power after the death of Duà ¡an (20 December 1355) and gained control of the island of Mljet. He began by taking lands previously held by Lord à ½arko, in Lower Zeta (south of Lake Skadar, and is then recognized as a "provincial lord" in charters of Emperor Uroà ¡ the Weak (r. 1355âÂÂ1371). In 1362 his sons defeated and killed Head of Upper Zeta ÃÂuraà ¡ Ilijiàand expanded further into Upper Zeta. He is believed to have died by this time.
He had three sons, ÃÂuraÃÂ, Stracimir and Balà ¡a II, two of whom ruled the Principality of Zeta: ÃÂuraàI and Balà ¡a II. He had a daughter Voisava Balsha who married Karl Thopia.