Ilyo Voyvoda

Iliya Markov (, , ; May 28, 1805 – April 17, 1898), known as Ilyo Voyvoda or Dedo Iljo Maleshevski, was a Bulgarian revolutionary and hajduk from the region of Macedonia. He was the father-in-law of revolutionary Dimitar Popgeorgiev (1840-1907).

Biography

Iliya was born in the city of Berovo, at the time part of the Rumelia Eyalet of the Ottoman Empire (in modern eastern North Macedonia) on May 28, 1805. His father was named Marko Popgeorgiev (Марко Попгеоргиев/Поп-Георгиев, hence Markov). Ilyo was a prominent hajduk voyvoda (commander) of chetas (armed bands) in Maleshevo, Rila and Pirin. Later he worked as a keeper in the Rila monastery. In 1859 he moved to Belgrade. In 1862, he joined the Bulgarian Legion, headquartered in Belgrade, and took part in the Serbian-Turkish War (1876–77) and Russo-Turkish War (1877–78).

Ilyo fought against the Ottoman Empire for the liberation of Bulgaria.

After the Treaty of Berlin, Ilyo participated in the Rila congress on September 8, 1878, where it was decided to start an uprising in Kresna. He took part in the Kresna-Razlog Uprising (1878–1879). Ilyo Voivoda and his band took part in Serbo-Bulgarian War despite the advancing age of the leader. As part of the Radomir squad they participated in the battles of Breznik, Slivnitsa and Vranje among others. During the 1890s, he was involved with the Internal Macedonian-Adrianople Revolutionary Organization as an advisor. He died in Kyustendil in 1898. Bulgaria commemorates him as a national hero. A monument dedicated to him is near the museum. His grave is also located in Kyustendil.

Ilyo Point on Clarence Island, Antarctica, is named after Ilyo Voyvoda.