Events on January 16 in history

Russo-Turkish War (1877-78): Battle of Philippopolis: Captain Aleksandr Burago with a squadron of Russian Imperial army dragoons liberates Plovdiv from Ottoman rule.

The Russo-Turkish War of 1877–1878: A Pivotal Conflict in Southeastern Europe

The Russo-Turkish War of 1877–1878, known in Turkish as 93 Harbi (literally 'War of ’93' after the Islamic calendar year 1293 AH), and in Russian as Русско-турецкая война (Russko-turetskaya voyna, "Russian–Turkish war"), was a significant military confrontation that reshaped the geopolitical landscape of Southeastern Europe. This intense conflict pitted the declining Ottoman Empire against a formidable Eastern Orthodox Christian coalition, spearheaded by the expansionist Russian Empire. The coalition also comprised burgeoning national entities such as the Principality of Bulgaria, and the already semi-independent principalities of Romania, Serbia, and Montenegro, all striving for full sovereignty.

Origins and Driving Forces Behind the Conflict

Fought primarily across two major fronts—the rugged Balkan Peninsula and the strategic Caucasus region—the war had multifaceted origins rooted in the turbulent political climate of the 19th century. A primary catalyst was the burgeoning wave of Balkan nationalism, as various ethnic groups within the vast Ottoman Empire sought self-determination and liberation from centuries of Ottoman rule. This desire was amplified by the escalating "Great Eastern Crisis" which began in 1875 with uprisings in Herzegovina and Bosnia, followed by widespread atrocities committed against Bulgarians in 1876, drawing international condemnation.

Beyond supporting the liberation movements, the Russian Empire harbored several strategic objectives:

• Recovery of Lost Territories and Prestige: Russia aimed to reclaim territorial losses and restore its dominant position in the Black Sea region, which had been severely curtailed by the humiliating Treaty of Paris in 1856, following its defeat in the Crimean War (1853–1856). This treaty had notably neutralized the Black Sea, prohibiting naval arsenals and fleets for both Russia and the Ottoman Empire, a condition Russia sought desperately to overturn.
• Re-establishment in the Black Sea: A key Russian goal was to regain full naval presence and influence in the Black Sea, crucial for its economic and strategic interests, including access to the Mediterranean Sea via the Ottoman-controlled Turkish Straits (Bosphorus and Dardanelles).
• Pan-Slavism and Religious Solidarity: Russia, as the largest Orthodox Christian and Slavic nation, felt a moral and political imperative to protect its co-religionists and fellow Slavs under Ottoman dominion, a sentiment often referred to as Pan-Slavism. This ideology provided a powerful ideological justification for its intervention.

Outcomes and the Reshaping of Europe

The Russian-led coalition achieved a decisive victory, demonstrating the Ottoman Empire's diminishing military strength. Russian forces made rapid advances, pushing the Ottomans back almost to the gates of Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul), the imperial capital. This alarming proximity to the Ottoman heartland triggered significant alarm among the Western European great powers, particularly Great Britain and Austria-Hungary, who feared an upset in the European balance of power and Russian control over the vital Turkish Straits. Their intervention ultimately led to a diplomatic resolution that somewhat diluted Russia's gains.

The Treaty of San Stefano and the Congress of Berlin

The war initially concluded with the signing of the Treaty of San Stefano on 3 March 1878. This treaty, highly advantageous to Russia and its allies, envisioned a much larger, autonomous Bulgarian state that would stretch from the Danube to the Aegean Sea, raising concerns among other European powers about Russian influence in the Balkans. It is precisely this date, March 3rd, that is celebrated today as Liberation Day in Bulgaria, commemorating the re-establishment of Bulgarian statehood after nearly five centuries of Ottoman rule (1396–1878). While its significance was somewhat downplayed during the years of Communist rule, it remains a cornerstone of modern Bulgarian national identity.

However, the ambitious terms of the Treaty of San Stefano were deemed unacceptable by the other great powers, particularly Great Britain and Austria-Hungary, who saw it as creating a "Greater Bulgaria" that would effectively be a Russian satellite, threatening their own strategic interests. To avert a wider European conflict, the Congress of Berlin was convened later in 1878, revising the initial treaty's provisions. The key outcomes of the Congress of Berlin included:

• Territorial Gains for Russia: Russia formally annexed provinces in the Caucasus, including Kars, Batum, and Ardahan, along with the Southern Bessarabian region (Budjak), which it had lost after the Crimean War.
• Formal Independence for Balkan Nations: The principalities of Romania, Serbia, and Montenegro, which had long enjoyed de facto sovereignty under Ottoman suzerainty, received formal international recognition of their full independence from the Ottoman Empire.
• Emergence of an Autonomous Bulgaria: While reduced in size compared to the San Stefano proposal, an autonomous Principality of Bulgaria was established. This new state covered the land between the Danube River and the Balkan Mountains (excluding Northern Dobrudja, which was ceded to Romania), with Sofia becoming its capital. Additionally, an autonomous province of Eastern Rumelia, under direct Ottoman military and political authority but with a Christian governor, was created to the south of the Balkan Mountains, effectively dividing the Bulgarian lands.
• Austro-Hungarian Occupation of Bosnia and Herzegovina: Austria-Hungary was granted the right to occupy and administer Bosnia and Herzegovina, ostensibly to maintain peace and order, though this move was a significant step in its own expansionist agenda in the Balkans.
• British Acquisition of Cyprus: Great Britain took over the administration of Cyprus from the Ottoman Empire, securing a strategic naval base in the Eastern Mediterranean in exchange for its diplomatic support for the Ottoman Empire's remaining territories.

The Battle of Plovdiv (Philippopolis): A Decisive Engagement

The Battle of Plovdiv, also known as the Battle of Philippopolis, was one of the pivotal final engagements of the 1877-1878 Russo-Turkish War. Its outcome significantly contributed to the swift conclusion of hostilities.

Following the crushing Russian victory at the last Battle of Shipka Pass, which secured crucial mountain crossings and fragmented Ottoman defenses, the momentum decisively shifted in favor of the Russian Empire. Russian commander General Joseph Vladimirovich Gourko, renowned for his daring winter crossing of the Balkan Mountains, began a rapid advance southeast towards Constantinople, aiming to deliver a decisive blow to the Ottoman capital.

Blocking this strategic route was the Ottoman fortress at Plovdiv (Philippopolis), commanded by Suleiman Pasha, a key stronghold in Thrace. On 16 January 1878, a vanguard squadron of Russian dragoons, led by the intrepid Captain Alexander Burago, launched a daring assault on the city. Despite the robust Ottoman defenses, the sheer numerical superiority and relentless pressure of the advancing Russian forces overwhelmed the Ottoman garrisons. The Ottoman forces were forced into a desperate and chaotic retreat, withdrawing almost entirely back to Constantinople.

The rapid Russian advance and the fall of Plovdiv effectively signaled the collapse of Ottoman resistance in the Balkans. This dire situation compelled the Ottoman Empire to seek an armistice, which was signed on 31 January 1878 in Adrianople (modern-day Edirne), effectively ending the military conflict and paving the way for the Treaty of San Stefano.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Russo-Turkish War (1877–1878)

What was the primary cause of the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–1878?

The primary causes included the rise of Balkan nationalism and the desire for independence from the Ottoman Empire, coupled with Russia's strategic ambitions to regain influence in the Black Sea, recover losses from the Crimean War, and protect Orthodox Christian populations in the Balkans under the banner of Pan-Slavism.

What was the significance of the Treaty of San Stefano?

The Treaty of San Stefano was the initial peace treaty signed after the war, which envisioned a large, autonomous Bulgarian state. Although never fully implemented due to intervention from other European powers, it laid the foundational groundwork for modern Bulgarian statehood and is celebrated as Liberation Day in Bulgaria.

How did the Congress of Berlin alter the outcomes of the war?

The Congress of Berlin in 1878 revised the Treaty of San Stefano to maintain the European balance of power. It significantly reduced the size of the proposed Bulgarian state, formally recognized the independence of Serbia, Romania, and Montenegro, granted Austria-Hungary the right to occupy Bosnia and Herzegovina, and ceded Cyprus to Great Britain, while confirming Russia's gains in the Caucasus and Southern Bessarabia.

Which new states gained independence as a result of the war?

As a direct result of the war and the subsequent Congress of Berlin, the principalities of Romania, Serbia, and Montenegro achieved full international recognition of their independence from the Ottoman Empire. Additionally, an autonomous Principality of Bulgaria was established.

Why is the Battle of Plovdiv important?

The Battle of Plovdiv was one of the decisive final battles of the war. Its fall to Russian forces opened the path to Constantinople, significantly weakening Ottoman resistance and directly leading to the armistice that concluded the military phase of the conflict.

What does '93 Harbi' mean?

93 Harbi is the Turkish name for the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–1878. It translates literally to 'War of ’93' and refers to the year 1293 in the Islamic calendar (specifically the Rumi calendar, which started with the Hijra but adapted to a solar year, aligning with 1877–1878 CE).