Petar I Petrovic Njegos
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Petar I Petrović Njegoš (St. Peter of Cetinje) (1782-1830) was the ruler (vladika) of Montenegro and the most popular spiritual and military leader from the Petrović dynasty. During his long rule, Petar strengthened the state by uniting the often quarrelling tribes, consolidating his control over Montenegrin lands, and introducing the first laws in Montenegro (Zakonik Petra I).
He had unquestioned moral authority strengthened by his military successes. His rule prepared Montenegro for the subsequent introduction of modern institutions of the state: taxes, schools and larger commercial enterprises. He was made a bishop in 1784. During his trip to Russia (1785), Montenegro was attacked and burned down by Turkish forces. When Vladika Petar I returned from Russia, he began a war of liberation. At the crucial battle at Krusi (Ljesanska nahija) the Turkish army of 30 000 led by Mahmut-Pasa Busatlija and assisted with seven French officers was defeated with heavy casualties by a force of 6 000 Montenegrins led by vladika Petar I (3 Oct. 1796). In this famous Battle Mahmut pasha was killed. After the victory Petar enlarged the territory of Montenegro and became virtually independent ruler.
In 1806, French troops advanced toward the Bay of Kotor in Montenegro. Montenegrin army led by Vladika Petar I, aided by several Russian battalions and a fleet of Admiral Senjavin pushed them back to Dubrovnik. But soon after, Russian czar Alexander I asked Montenegrins to relinquish control of Boka to Austria. However, after Montenegrins retreated to Herceg Novi, Alexander changed his mind again, and with a help of Montenegrins conquered Brac and Korcula. In the meantime, France encouraged Turkey to attack Russia and Russia withdrew their fleet from Adriatic to defend Ionian islands. The Treaty of Tilsit (1807) between Russia and France granted the control of the Kotor Bay to France.
In 1807-1812 Turkish forces supported by France attacked Brda and Montenegro several times, but were defeated.
In 1813, the Montenegrin army, supported by Russia and Britain, liberated the Kotor Bay from the French. However, congress of Vienna, grented the control of the Bay to Austria and refused to recognize Montenedgrin independence.
Following this disappointment Montenegro entered very difficult times. Thousands of Montenegrins starved to death. Hundreds of Montenegrin families immigrated to Russia and Serbia.
In 1820, in the north of Montenegro, the highlanders from Morača led by Serdar Mrkoje Mijusković won a major battle against the Turkish force from Bosnia.
Petar I is also known as an author of the first Montenegrin law (1798).
He was cannonized as Saint Peter of Cetinje by his successor Petar II Petrovic Njegos. Serbian Orthodox Church celibrates him on October 31th, Gregorian calendar, October 18th (Julian calendar)
| Preceded by: Sava II | Rulers of Montenegro | Succeeded by: Petar II |