Jovan Tekelija


Jovan Popović Tekelija was 17th and 18th-century Austrian nobleman and military officer. As commander of Serbian Militia, Tekelija participated in many battles and distinguished himself during the Battle of Zenta in 1697. For his merit he was appointed as Captain of Arad.

Family

Tekelija was born in Arad or in Csanád as the first known member of the notable Serb family Popović Tekelija.

Military career

Since his early ages Tekelija served in the Austrian military. After Austrian capture of Belgrade in 1689 he was promoted to the rank of Captain with special position as pathfinder of the whole Austrian army for Voivodina and its neighbouring territories. Tekelija fought in the Battle of Buda.
Tekelija played a particularly important role in the Battle of Zenta. Before the battle Tekelija held the position of Captain of Senta. During the night between 10 and 11 November Tekelija broke through to the War council held in Bečej and informed Prince Eugene of Savoy, whose forces were in Szenttamás and Bečej, that Ottomans were preparing to cross Tisa and leave Bačka and during the night led imperial army to Senta through the swamps and ponds to Senta, behind the Ottoman flanks. As reward for the important part he played during the Battle of Zenta, Tekelija was appointed as Captain of Serbian Militia in Arad in 1698. In 1710 Colonels Tekelija and Vulin Potisac sent Captain Bogdan Popović to negotiate with Russia about cooperation between Serbs and Russia in war against the Ottoman Empire.
Tekelija died in 1721 or in 1722. He was succeeded by Đurka Šević, the father of Jovan Šević.