Petrit Latifi

FAZLI RRUSTA was a popular leader and fighter, who strongly opposed the Tanzimat reforms and fought in the League of Prizren. Fazli Rrusta of Rrustë Imer was born in Selimaj of Geghysen, of the Krasniqe tribe, in the Gjakova Highlands.

In 1830, the Krasniqe flag was represented by Sokol Mala of Dragobi, and in a bloody war with the Montenegrin hordes, fought in Martinaj of Plav, the sons of Krasniqe were defeated and lost their flag in battle.

The fall of the flag into the hands of the enemy was considered a disgrace and it was known that the flag could not be returned without a fight. Fazli Rrusta, together with the Boys of Geghysen, in a new match with the Montenegrins near Qafë e Diellit, took out the flag (bajrak) and brought it to Sokol Mala to the Bajraktar of Krasniqa, thinking that accepting the flag is more of a gift than a merit, he did not accept it.

The Boys of Geghysen brought the flag to the center of the village of Gri, to be taken by the one who would be ready to face the challenges that stemmed from holding the flag. For 12 days the flag remained solitary. Then it was offered to the house of Qerim Delija, of Deli Sadri Musa of Selimaj and Demush Geci of Gec Lekë Kurti in Geghysen, as both of these families had shown rare bravery in the battles against the Turks and the Montenegrins. While both refused, the flag was given to the house of Mul Osmani, because they were distinguished for their generosity, wisdom and bravery.

Krasniq had gained much respect in battles and at that time it was said:

“Mark Milani did it,
with the victory of brave men I have never been defeated,
after the day they are so brave,
I had proof of it.”

The Fall of the Voivode

It was the time of the Tanzimat reforms, on the eve of the League of Prizren, when the clouds of slavery hung heavy over the Albanian lands. In that turbulent time, the sons of Geghysen – Fazli Rrusta, Qerim Delia, Bashot Osmani and Halil Sefa, rose up in a historic confrontation against the Ottoman invaders and the local nobility that served the empire.

In the heart of Gjakova, they confronted Rexhep Aga Vojvoda, the most powerful figure of Ottoman violence in that area, and left him dead on the spot, along with dozens of captives who were standing around him.
This was one of the most powerful rifles that the Gjakova Highlands had ever fired, a rifle of freedom, a rifle of honor.

The people did not forget it. They kept it in song, on the lute and in their mouths from generation to generation:

Where can we find two sons who do not run away?
In Geghyse we go out and beg:
We find Bashota with his grandson,
Fazli Rrusta with Qerimi…

In the ambush that was set for Vojvoda, Fazli Rrusta honored him with the muzzle of his rifle:

“Fazli Rrusta on the bed,
Rexhep Aga is calling me,
Look at Martin, where he is killing me!”
“One in the forehead, the other in the vest”

With this act of bravery, the sons of Geghysen honored themselves, honored Krasniqa and the entire Gjakova Highlands. They proved with rifles in hand that the highlanders cannot be deprived of honor, nor their freedom.

Fazli Rrusta participated in the Gjakova Action and in many battles fought to defend Albanian lands: in Qafë e Diellit, in the Moraça War, in the Battle of Nokshiq, as well as in the heroic defense of Plavë and Gucië from the dismemberment of our lands.

Reference

Information gathered from the page “Tropojanshe”.