The blockade or encirclement of Belgrade refers to the Serbian rebel blockade of Belgrade, the capital of the Sanjak of Smederevo (or "Belgrade Pashalik"), initially in the hands of the Dahije (renegade Janissaries) that had wrested the power in the province, and then against the Ottoman Empire itself, during the First Serbian Uprising. It included a range of skirmishes in the years of 1804âÂÂ1806, culminating in the assault and final siege of Belgrade.
The Dahije (renegade Janissaries) wrested the Belgrade Pashalik and murdered the Vizier Hadji Mustafa Pasha in 1801, and instead of the Porte dealing with the tyranny or sending an investigative commission, it sent pashas according to the Dahije's wishes. The Slaughter of the Knezes in late January prompted the Serbs to rise up against the Dahije. After the burning of the Inns and wounding of Dahije leader Aganlija at Drlupa, KaraÃÂorÃÂe went with his rebel army to meet with Sima Markoviàand Janko Katiàin the Belgrade nahiya on 25 February and at the Lipe Assembly, the first siege line towards Belgrade was set up with Sima holding à ½eleznik with his kneà ¾ina army, Katiàholding Kneà ¾evac with his Turija kneà ¾ina army, and Vasa ÃÂarapiàholding Avala with his Grocka kneà ¾ina army. The plan was to block the city, stop the Dahije from entering Serb villages, and preventing resupply. KaraÃÂorÃÂe then went to the Smederevo nahiya where the blockade of Smederevo was organized. After the takeover of Rudnik and Valjevo by 18 March, and the tight blockade of à  abac and Smederevo, the strategical encirclement of Belgrade could be said to have been finalized.
At Belgrade, the Vizier was Agha Hasan Pasha, who the Serbs pretendedly recognized as such. The Dahije were the true rulers of the Belgrade Pashalik, and Hasan Pasha had no powers nor influence. Hasan Pasha informed the Grand Vizier about events in the Serb uprising against the Dahije.
The rebel Belgrade defensive line was not uniform, and Dahije dispatches crossed it at times, such as on 3 March when a Janissary unit clashed with a rebel army numbering 500 towards Ostruà ¾nica and was partly destroyed with prisoners, according to a Semlin military command report. A retaliatory Dahije expedition was made on 14 March, resulting in 1,000 Serb refugees crossing over to Habsburg-held territory around Jakovo. In the following days, Dahije units of 200âÂÂ400 men sortied each day, and Dahije leader Mula Jusuf led a unit of 300 cavalry that killed a number of civilians at à ½eleznik and then went to Ostruà ¾nica, from where the rebels retreated into the woods, and where the church was burnt down and all movable property looted, with seven heads put on spears and paraded into Belgrade. Another Dahije attack on a 30-man-unit at Avala gained them more trophy heads. On 19 March the Belgrade cavalry exited the Fortress and went for Ritopek and VrÃÂin, where they found a rebel trench and were reinforced with 300 men. That same day, kabadahija Tosun-aga went with 80 men by boat to Grocka, which was about to be attacked by the rebels. These Dahije sorties were made to pressure the rebels and disperse them from the environs of Belgrade. At that time, the Dahije awaited reinforcements of mercenaries (kircali) who were located in the Sanjak of Nià ¡, to the southeast of the Pashalik. The Dahije sent another of their leaders, KuÃÂuk-Alija, with 600 cavalry to gather reinforcements, mercenaries and supplies, towards Kragujevac and Jagodina.
Bad weather resulted in a failed siege of Jagodina in which the Serbian rebels were defeated and dispersed, around the last day of March. KaraÃÂorÃÂe inspected the Ostruà ¾nicaâÂÂVià ¡njica line and a 40-men rebel cavalry unit surprise attacked a Belgrade Turk contingent near Mokri Lug on 1 April. The Serbian rebels then retreated towards à ½arkovo and Kneà ¾evac, from where a detachment attacked a Dahije meyhane at BoleÃÂ. 1,000 rebels remained in the encirclement of Belgrade, controlling all major crossings and destroying river bridges near Belgrade. The encirclement of Belgrade was strengthened with Vasa ÃÂarapiàat Avala, ÃÂorÃÂe Milovanoviàat à ½eleznik, Miloje Trnavac and Ranko Markoviàaround Ostruà ¾nica. Muhasil Suleyman Agha wrote to the Porte on 6 April about the harsh position of besieged Belgrade. ÃÂarapiàdefeated a Janissary unit of 230 men under Mula-Jusuf near Mirijevo on 15 April. After the first battle at Jagodina, the Serbian rebels mustered a new army and planned for a better attack, and succeeded with an assault on Jagodina on 16 April led by KaraÃÂorÃÂe, killed 300, captured many, and forced KuÃÂuk-Alija to flee. By now, only Belgrade, Smederevo and Poà ¾arevac were among important cities held by the Janissaries, all blocked by the rebels. After the victory at Jagodina, smaller rebel units pursued KuÃÂuk-Alija through à  umadija, successfully ambushing twice in 17âÂÂ18 April. A French report speaks of a Serbian provocation on 17 April that ended with an ambush of 300âÂÂ400 Janissaries likely near Mokroluà ¡ki Creek, leaving at least 50 dead. Upon the return of KuÃÂuk-Alija to Belgrade, he improved the defense of the city by cleaning the trenches and setting up parapets, among other things. The rebels evacuated the Serb civilians in the Belgrade environs to the hinterland, mainly Ostruà ¾nica, by now an important rebel camp. A rebel incursion into VraÃÂar failed on 20 April, with one dead and 12 captured. An Austrian newspaper reported on the defeat of 40 Turks who looted outside the Belgrade city, with 30 of them killed, on 24 April. It was believed that by late April, there were outposts outside Belgrade numbering some 4,000 rebels. The Belgrade yerli (native Muslims) contemplated settling relations with the Serbs; Gavrilo KovaÃÂeviàclaimed that they twice sent secret letters to the Serbs asking them take over the city, but they were unable to do so, as they were unready and KaraÃÂorÃÂe engaged KuÃÂuk-Alija at Jagodina.
According to KaraÃÂorÃÂe's captain Petar JokiÃÂ, ÃÂarapiàwas ordered to set up a trench at Rakovica, Katiàat Resnik, while Sima was at à ½eleznik where there were several smaller trenches, in the days prior to KaraÃÂorÃÂe's and his Jasenica troops' stay at Ostruà ¾nica during Orthodox Easter (). At the Zemun Meeting (10 May), mediated by the Habsburg military command in Syrmia, the rebels and DahijeâÂÂSanjak representatives failed to come to an agreement; at the end of discussions the Serbs made clear that they would all rather die than let the Dahije stay in Belgrade, and that they soon, with 20,000 men would assault Belgrade to deal with the Dahije once and for all. KaraÃÂorÃÂe supported the siege of Poà ¾arevac in May, during which the Turk Belgrade garrison attacked the Valjevo nahija army at Careva ÃÂuprija in TopÃÂider, but was repelled by commanders Matija Nenadoviàand Luka Lazareviàwho proceeded to attack the Muslim-inhabited Savamala that was abandoned for the trench at Varoà ¡-kapija during the garrison's retreat from TopÃÂider. After the takeover of Poà ¾arevac (late May) and Smederevo (4 June), only Belgrade remained outside rebel control in the north of the Belgrade Pashalik. KaraÃÂorÃÂe, Jakov Nenadoviàand Milenko Stojkoviàwent to VraÃÂar. KaraÃÂorÃÂe organized a tighter blockade and reinforced the troops at TopÃÂider and set up two cannons there. A camp and military church was set up at TopÃÂider. On the road to the Stambol Gate, another camp was set up under the command of ÃÂarapiÃÂ. The Valjevo army at TopÃÂider paid for Austrian intelligence in Semlin (Zemun) on Turk attacks, and were warned through burning of straws and bulrush, and were also informed by Zemun merchants who worked in Belgrade.
In mid-June 1804, a large Serbian rebel army with the most important commanders mustered outside Belgrade. There are claims of up to 16,000 rebels, out of which 6,000 planned to assault the city. At this point, the Sultan issued a ferman (decree) to KaraÃÂorÃÂe to not attack the city, as the Sultan had sent for an Ottoman Bosnian army to aid the rebels against the Dahije. The rebels aborted the assault. Vizier Bekir Pasha of Bosnia was given the mission to stop the fighting between the Dahije and Serbs, to bring peace and security to the Belgrade Pashalik and Ottoman frontier.
Bekir Pasha mustered an army of over 3,000, 3,500 or 4,600 Ottoman Bosnian soldiers and various sipahi and from Zvornik sent a mühür-sahib (official seal carrier) to KaraÃÂorÃÂe and the Serbian leadership at VraÃÂar, and a letter to the Dahije in Belgrade, that he brought the Sultan's ferman and was commissioned to make peace between the Dahije and Serbs. The mühür-sahib stayed at VraÃÂar for five days, and was hosted nicely by the Serbs, while the Dahije refused to meet with him. KaraÃÂorÃÂe approved of Bekir Pasha's arrival into Serbia, also on the advice of Hadji Sali Bey of Srebrenica, who was a pen pal of Matija Nenadoviàand had informed the Porte about the Dahije abuse and helped its decision in sending this commission.
KaraÃÂorÃÂe sent knez Milovan Grboviàwith some à  abac kmets (serfs) and 50 cavalry to meet with Bekir at the Drina on , or many MaÃÂva kmets welcomed Bekir at the Drina and Grboviàwelcomed him at à  abac on . Grboviàescorted Bekir's army to Paleà ¾ (Obrenovac) where Jakov NenadoviÃÂ, Sima Markoviàand Janko Katiàwith 500 or 600 cavalry welcomed Bekir Pasha and let him spend the night. The trio escorted him, arriving at à ½arkovo and Bekir Pasha made camp at a mansion in Bele Vode. The Serbian leadership decided that Bekir Pasha stay at Bele Vode until the matter with the Dahije was handled. The four Dahije leaders had escaped Belgrade on chaikas down the Danube to Adakale, as they feared a conspiracy by mercenary leader Alija Guà ¡anac and not knowing Bekir Pasha's intention with them. The dating of their escape is unclear in historiography. The historian K. Nenadoviàbelieved that Bekir had in fact allowed the four leaders to secretly leave. Upon hearing of the Dahije leaders' flight, Alija Guà ¡anac looted their mansions, and took control of Belgrade. KaraÃÂorÃÂe ordered for a parade with 4,000 men at TopÃÂider, for Bekir to see. From VraÃÂar, KaraÃÂorÃÂe took Matija Nenadoviàand 200 of the best cavalry with him to Bele Vode, where outside Bekir's camp, these with KatiÃÂ's cavalry encircled from three sides. According to K. ProtiÃÂ, there were 2,000 Serb cavalry at Bele Vode, as to protect from a potential attack. KaraÃÂorÃÂe, Matija, Jakov, Sima and Katiàentered Bekir's tent. Bekir promised improvements on the Serbs' status, while KaraÃÂorÃÂe stressed that they would not stop until the Dahije were caught dead or alive, and knowing that the Dahije could muster an army of the Vidin Pashalik and attack at any time, both sides agreed for them to be assassinated. Bekir had insufficient troops to defend against a potential Serb attack, witnessing the strength in the rebel camps in the area, and wanted to enter the Belgrade Fortress as soon as possible. Milenko Stojkoviàcarried out the mission, besieging the house at Adakale where the Dahije stayed, shooting them and having their heads cut off and sent to Belgrade where they were put on stakes.
KaraÃÂorÃÂe ordered the army to escort and parade Bekir into Belgrade, with gun, and cannon salute from two iron cannons. According to K. NenadoviÃÂ the sight of the Serbian army and cannon salute visibly scared Bekir and his army.
Bekir Pasha entered the Lower City of Belgrade and KaraÃÂorÃÂe sent representatives with demands made earlier at the failed Zemun Meeting. Alija Guà ¡anac did not let Bekir Pasha into the Upper City, where he stayed with his mercenaries. Upon Bekir's arrival, the skirmishes around Belgrade and VraÃÂar stopped, and Serbs were allowed into the city market to trade. In mid-August, the former muhasil (Porte contact) in Belgrade, Suleiman Agha (now Suleiman Pasha), was appointed the Vizier of Belgrade, replacing Agha Hasan Pasha. An Austrian report dated 25 August noted that the Porte now believed that the cause of the Serbian uprising had ended with the deaths of the Dahije leaders and that the Porte would ensure peace through righteous and gentle treatment towards the Serbs. One of Bekir Pasha's letters was saved in the Nenadoviàfamily, and in it he promises that the Serbs would have a better life than during even Hadji Mustafa Pasha's tenure, but a review shows that no real guarantees were made. The Serbs did not want to return under Ottoman rule and wanted no interference in their affairs; the rebel leadership secretly sent delegations to Austria and Russia to ask for aid and for Serbia to become a protectorate. The delegation to Russia was sent on . The Serbs were unfortunately forced to supply Bekir's army, Guà ¡anac's mercenaries, and Suleiman's servants, but this was not the case for long. As Bekir believed he had suppressed the rebellion, he asked KaraÃÂorÃÂe to disperse the rebels and go home in peace. The rebel leadership sent a delegation to Bekir with conditions for peace and progression in the Pashalik, which Bekir promised to do his best with at the Porte. The rebels further demanded that apart from an Ottoman guarantee, they wanted an Austrian guarantee, which Bekir took as an insult against the Ottoman Empire and refused. The Serbs decided to continue the fight for liberation. Guà ¡anac's mercenaries, numbering some 1,000, were still present and posed a threat, as they were capable of doing the same damage to the Serbs as the Dahije had done earlier.
Bekir was extorted by Guà ¡anac, who wanted pay for warring against the Serbs and would not let him leave Belgrade; Bekir had no money to pay and instead asked the Serbs to pay Guà ¡anac some 200,000 groschen, of which half was paid up front and the rest was vouched for by Recep Agha, the nephew of commander Ibrahim Agha of Adakale, in the name of the Serbs. The rebel leadership loaned money from Austrian merchants and planned to tax the population to the amount of 500,000 groschen, to pay off that loan, and ammunition and other war necessities bought in the summer. Bekir Pasha returned to Bosnia by the winter, staying until October. The Serbian rebels continued the blockade of Belgrade. Bekir Pasha left Belgrade and made camp at the Paleà ¾ mansion on (dated by K. NenadoviÃÂ), being escorted by Jakov, whom he asked to transport his cannons and ammunition to Bosnia "if you are, as you say, the Sultan's rayah", and "if not ... here you have it ... do with it as you wish"; the Serbian rebels transported and gave over the equipment as to show the Porte that they fought only against the Empire's enemies and evildoers. Guà ¡anac remained in Belgrade, holding the real power in the city, with Suleiman Pasha having no power nor influence (as the Dahije before, towards Agha Hasan Pasha), also having been tricked that the Serbs would help in making him the Pasha of Belgrade. It was clear that the Ottoman Empire had no sovereignty in the Pashalik.
KaraÃÂorÃÂe ordered Katiàand ÃÂarapiàto monitor Belgrade and Turk movement, and they continued to camp around Belgrade until springtime 1805, while most of the rebel army were given leave, except for some bands in the frontiers. KaraÃÂorÃÂe set up armed bands outside Belgrade to watch Guà ¡anac's mercenaries. Smaller number of troops were set up outside Smederevo, à  abac, by the Drina, towards Uà ¾ice, ÃÂaÃÂak, and Karanovac, while the rest was sent to rest. In the winter of 1804âÂÂ05, Guà ¡anac's mercenaries had risen sharply in numbers, and the sipahi (noble cavalry) began to assemble. KaraÃÂorÃÂe did not fear for the urban Turks, but was watchful on the neighbouring sanjaks. In December, the leadership received information that Mus-aga FoÃÂiàmustered troops in Bosnia, Bekir Pasha mobilized 8,000 planning to cross the Drina again, and that Hafiz Mustafa Agha had mustered 20,000 in the Sanjak of Nià ¡, with the bey of Leskovac. The ceasefire stretched to 1 January 1805 and KaraÃÂorÃÂe ordered the day after Orthodox Christmas (7 January 1805) for the resting army to assemblages. Belgrade was peaceful until February 1805.
According to K. NenadoviÃÂ, KaraÃÂorÃÂe organized on the army in the following way:
In the meantime, according to Batalaka, as KaraÃÂorÃÂe had promised Guà ¡anac that he would support his elevation to Pasha of Belgrade, he did the same to Recep Agha, who had helped in the assassination of the Dahije leaders, on the premise that he get rid of Guà ¡anac. KaraÃÂorÃÂe's promise to the other was unbeknownst to them, respectively, and was made to cause disorder. Recep Agha managed to set against some commanders in Guà ¡anac's army, who left the city into the town with their men, but Guà ¡anac remained the more powerful. Thus, seeing that he couldn't win, Recep readied to leave Belgrade for Adakale with part of Guà ¡anac's deserters, which Guà ¡anac learnt and became enraged with, and immediately had Katiàinformed of this and that he would let the Serbs do whatever they wanted in relation to this. KaraÃÂorÃÂe gave instructions to attack these on their way, with one detachment of 300âÂÂ400 men to attack at KuliÃÂ, a Morava bridge to Adakale. Seeing Katiàat the head of such a unit, the ones bound to Adakale figured it out, and one of them shot and missed KatiÃÂ. This played into the Serbs' hand, who fusilladed and dispersed them. According to K. NenadoviÃÂ, KaraÃÂorÃÂe destroyed the 300 kircali at BatoÃÂina in early February and he makes no mention of Recep's conspiracy. Milenko Stojkoviàdestroyed a binbaà Âñ and his men at the Mlava confluence. Those captured were taken to Smederevska Palanka and executed. These events made it clear that Serbs and Turks could not make peace, and the Turks were now in unison to fight the Serbs; Bekir Pasha informed the Porte and commented that "the Serbs are no longer rayah".
The Russian delegation returned in February with good news, foreign minister Czartoryski deciding to take up the Serbian cause at the Porte, although it was made clear that Russia sought good relations with the Porte and wouldn't aid in the uprising. Meanwhile, the Porte tasked Wallachian ruler Constantine Ypsilantis to work on making peace with the Serbs.
The Serbian rebel leadership held an assembly at PeÃÂani on where 500,000 groschen were collected to pay for Bekir Pasha, the kircali, and ammunition and war necessities. The kircali sent two agents who gave over a false ferman claiming the Sultan would severely punish the Serbs, which strengthened the decision to fight to the death. The 9-point demands were sent to Sultan Selim I and a delegation set out on for Constantinople, being escorted via Wallachia by Ypsilantis, arriving on . As the Porte had problems elsewhere in the empire, such as Ali Pasha in northern Greece and civil war in Egypt, it met the delegation favourably, but in reality planned for the attack on Serbia as soon as possible. Deputy Stefan à ½ivkoviàreturned from Constantinople and told the people that the Sultan supported their demands, in order to not alarm them, but warned KaraÃÂorÃÂe that Hafiz Pasha set out to destroy them, as KaraÃÂorÃÂe already knew and planned for.