278 years ago, on the 4th of August 1737, a great battle between the Bosniak army and Austrian troops took place near Banja Luka, where the Bosniak army won an absolute victory. It is believed that the battle of Banja Luka was one of the most important events in the history of Bosniaks.
Energetic Vizier Hećimoglu Ali Pasha predicted that the great Austrian army with more than 14,000 troops would attack Bosnia in 1737 without a declaration of war. He called all the captains and ayans to a council in Travnik.
At the council, all captains and ayans ultimately demanded that all the preparations for the defense be done, without the approval of Istanbul. The Vizier spread the message for the defense of the territory of Bosnia and gathered about 10,000 troops in the Travnik territory.
Every captain of the Bosniak army back then responded to the invitation.
At the very beginning, the Bosniak troops attacked so violently that all the enemy troops were deranged for a moment. At the same time, the defenders of the city attacked from the fortress causing total chaos in the Austrian army. Many enemy soldiers drowned in the Vrbas River.
A total of 5 attacks shattered the Austrian force and made them run leaving 1,200 dead, due to the great bravery and heroism of Bosniak captains and soldiers.
The famous hero of Sarajevo, Hadji Ahmed Kandelija who fought against the enemy with artillery, thereby making a complete devastation within their ranks, stands out with his heroism as well as Mehmed bey Fidahić, who vigorously attacked the enemy cavalry with his soldiers and made a complete devastation in a flash.
Congratulations to the brave Bosniaks were coming from all over the Islamic world. They appreciated the fact that the much smaller and less-equipped Bosnian army completely defeated a European superpower – Austria.
Thanks to this defeat, Austria did not dare to attack Bosnia for another 150 years.
(Source: Radiosarajevo.ba)
