Battle of Grahovo was fought on 26 August 1836 between the Ottoman Empire and Montenegro, and was a prequel to the more famous Battle of Grahovac (1858). The battle ended in Ottoman victory, and was most notable for the death of nine members of the ruling House of PetroviÃÂ-Njegoà ¡, including Joko PetroviÃÂ-Njegoà ¡, brother of the prince-bishop Petar II and Stevan PetroviÃÂ-Njegoà ¡, brother of Grand Duke Mirko.
After the rise of Petar II PetroviÃÂ-Njegoà ¡ to power in the Prince-Bishopric of Montenegro, members of Grahovo tribe, led by vojvoda Jakov Dakoviàrefused to pay haraç to the Ottoman authorities and joined the rest of Montenegrins in guerrilla warfare in Ottoman-controlled Herzegovina, expressing the desire to unite with Montenegro. In response, Ali-paà ¡a RizvanbegoviÃÂ, vizier of Herzegovina, attacked Grahovo in 1836 and occupied the town.
The battle that ensued took place when a band of around 300 young men led by Joko PetroviÃÂ-Njegoà ¡, arrived at Grahovo and decided to attack the Ottoman army without waiting for reinforcements. The Ottomans retreated at first, and then ambushed the Montenegrins near the ÃÂelina stream (ÃÂelinski potok), resulting with Ottoman victory and 70 Montenegrin casualties, including nine members of the House of PetroviÃÂ-Njegoà ¡, including the Prince-Bishop's teenage brother.
In 1838, a treaty was signed which declared Grahovo to be a neutral zone under a hereditary Voivode (Duke) which his dignity was confirmed by the Montenegrin Prince and Ottoman Governors.
Four years after the Montenegrin defeat at Grahovo, seeking revenge for the death of his brother, Njegoà ¡ plotted the assassination of Smail-aga with the assistance of the local Christians from Herzegovina who lived on the territory under Smail-aga's control. Njegoà ¡ ordered a Montenegrin tribal leader, Novica CeroviÃÂ, to ambush Smail-aga ÃÂengiÃÂ, the Ottoman commander who was responsible for killing Njegoà ¡'s brother Joko.
In late September 1840, Montenegrins attracted ÃÂengiàand his army deep into their territory, organized an ambush and murdered them by attacking their camp during the night. The assault occurred in the village of MljetiÃÂak, north of Nikà ¡iÃÂ. In the ensuing clash, Smail-aga was shot and killed, after which his severed head was brought to Cetinje. As a sign of his gratitude, Njegoà ¡ made Ceroviàa senator.