Written by Fahri Xharra. Translated by Petrit Latifi

In the book “Serbia: Krijesë artificiale ruse” by Fahri Xharra we find a list of over 700 Albanian toponyms in the region of Nish before the Serbian annexation of 1878.

“Alikinci, Alabana, Arbanashka, Arbanashci, Araqa, Hasanovci; – Balltiqi, Barllova, Bajshtica e Eperme, Bajshtica e Poshtme, Balinovci, Baca, Banjska, Bajqiqi, Bajqinca, Buci, Borova, Banja e Repanjes, Bajqinovci, Bardyzi, Banja, Babviqevci, Babatica, Babishevci, Banjabara, Bajra, Batushica, Barlova, Berila, Bedila, Bellanica, Belibregu, Bellotini, Bellobregu, Bellanovci, Berxhika, Beselica, Berbatofci, Bellpola, Belegu, Bubavci, Berjana, Beashtica e Poshtme, Binovci, Bllaca, Boka, Borovci, Borinci, Bojniku, Bunovci, Bogujevci, bujanovci, Bugujevci (in the district of Jabllanica), Buzhurana, Breznica, Bresternavi, Brallova, Brajshori, Branina, bresi, Brezniqiqi, Breznica, Bullatovci, Buqinca, Bublica, Bufca, Burevica, Burinci, Budeci, Bumbereku, Bullaini, Bukollrami, Bukozhani, Bukovagllava, bustrani, Buqinca, Byqmeti i Eperm, Byqmeti i Poshtem, Byqmeti i Mesem, Bugunuvci; -Cervaneku, Cernoverni, Cerrcavci i Eperm, Cerrcavci i Poshtem, Cerrnatova; -Chestelina, Çiftliku, Çokoti, (one in the Niš district and one in Jabllanic), Çukovci; -Dankovići, Devotini, Dedinca, Devqa e Eperme, degermeni, Dediqi, Dekutina, Deshullovci, Dedishka, Dikovci, Dllugojnica, Dobratiqi, Debrejance, Dobrasheva, Dobridolli, Dragideli, Draguša e Eperma, Draguša e Poshtme, Dranica, Dragobuzhda, draganci, drevina, Drenova, Drenci, Drenovci, Dubrava, Dubranja, Dubnica, Durnjaci, Dubova, Dugidelli, Dugolluka, Dublica, ducati, Drugalevci, Dubulevi; -Gazdara, Gajtani, Gabinca, Graica, Granica, Gesolica, Gegla, Gerguri (in Jabllanic), Gerguri (in the Prokuplje district), Gojnofci, Gopnja, Gollaku, Govori, Grabofci, Gragoqevci, Grabovica, Gerbafci, Grebolica, Glasoviku, Glasnoviqi, Gradni, Gunjaraku, gurivica, Gubetini, gurgurofci, gurgurova, Gurgora; -Gjemnica, Gjelekari, Gjelekara, Gjaka e Eperme, Gjaka e Poshtme, Gjukella, gjorgjefci, Gjushica, Gjingjusha, Gjurkofci, Gjurefci, Gjikolli, Gjurgjefci; -Hergaja, Huruglica e Eperme, Huruglica e Poshtme; -Igrishta (of Vranje), Igrishta (of Pusta Reke), Ivankulla Ivanja, Izumna; -Jabuqa, Jakofci, Jashanica e Eperme, Jashanica Lower, Jellashinca; -Kamenica, Katundmorina (Niš district), Komotena, Kumareva, Kallabofci, Katuni, Kacabaqi, Katiqi, Kapiti, Klaiqi, Klisurica, Konjufci, Koprani, Konxheli, Korbevci, Kodra, Konjuva, Konjuhi, Kojqiqi, Koqane, Kremenata, Kertoku, Krivaqa, Krushevica, Kerqmara e Eperme, Kerqmara e Poshtme, Kovanlloku, Kutllovci i eperm, Kutllovci I Poshtme, Kuqi, Krushevica, Kutlova, Kutllat, Kozmaqi, Koznica, Kordinci i Poshtme, Kordinci i Eperm, Kastrati, Kallabovci, Kalimanca, Koshareva, Konjina; -Legatica, Lebofci, Levqa e Eperme, Lebana, leci, Leskovabara, Lepanja, Leboshtica, Letovnishte, Leturna, Lumeqi, Lepenica, lipovica, Lusha; -Llallinca, Llazalla, Llapashtica, Llozana, Llozna, Llopetinca, Llugiqi, Llumnica, Llukova, Llugari; -Manistirishta, Masurica, Magashi, Mazareqi, Maleivci, Makovci, Magova, Magarenja, marovci, macedonci, Maqestena, Magjera, Maqina, Maqkovci, Matarova, Matajevci i madh, Matajevci I Vogel, merqezi, Megja, Maqkovci, Mekishi, Merofci, Mesgraja, Megjuana, mehanja, Mealica, Mernica, Medveci, (Merqa, Mellova, Merveshi, Mekishi, Meshica, Merkonja, Merlaku, Merkoviqi), all these names in brackets are with (not shown after M), Megjurova, Milina, Miroqica, Mikulofci, Mikulani, Mirovci, Miroshevci, Milivojci, Miskiqi, Miroslavavi, Mirinca, Mihalica, Molla e Kuqe, Momqilli, Mugosha, Muzaqa, Muqena, Muleviqi; -Novosella, Neredovci i Eperm, Neredovci i Poshtem, Negosavla, Novosella (one in the district of Toplice and one in that of Vranje), Neveda, Nelaku, Nesushta; -Orlishte, Orana, orlana, Oraqi, Obertinca, Obllaqina, Ostrogllava, Obarda, Orashci; -Paqarada, Parada, Pasjaqa, Pasjaqa(Nish), Pavllovci, Pallata, Pashici, Petrovci, pevatica, Perunika, Pestishi, pestini, Petrila, Pertata, Peqenci, Pokofci, Pervetica, Peroshtica, Pllana e Madhe, Pllana e Vogel, Plakova, Plloqniku, respectively Pllashniku i Eperm, Pllashniku i Poshtem, Poterzhani, Popofci, Popova, Poturqoi, Pareqi, Pollomi, Pollomi (one in the Vranje region and the other in Prokuplje), Upper Prebeza, Lower Prebeza, Prekoqna, Pretreshnjja, Prekodelli, Prekedini, Prevallci, Preboji, Preseka, Prekopquelnika, Prekopuca, Prekorogja, Prekashtica, Preobrazhenja, Preopolci, Piskala, Pishteva, Pustoshillova, Pustovojllovci, Pukovci, Pupovica; -Qyqalla, Qunglla; -Radeci, Radovci, Rabovci, Rafuna, Rakovica, rashka, Rashica, Rastelica, raqa, rasuhaqa, Ramabaja, Ramnishta, Ravnishori, Ravnareka, Rashevci, Rataji, rastavica, Rumanovci, Raputofci, Rastavica, Rasturrula, ragjenovci, Radinovci, Ramadeni, Relinci, Reqica e Eperme, Reqica e Poshtme (in Toplica), Teqica e Leskovci, Retkoceri i Eperm, Retkoceri i Poshtme, Resinci, Ribinci, Rudari, rukofci, Runjiku, Rubofci; -Samakova, Sellova, Seoce, Sekicolli, seqinica, Selishta, Sekiraqa, Slavnica, Sllamniku, Sllabniku, Sllatina, Siarina, Slishani, Slivnica, Slivova, Simnica, Sinanova, Sodarca, Skobari, Skoverqa, Statovci, Stublla, Stashillova, Starasella, Starobanja, Surdulica, Suvidolli, Suvojnica, Suvamorava, Sudimla, Svinjisishte, Sfirca, Svin jarina, Upper Sfarqa, Lower Sfarqa, Sagonjeva, Samarinci, Sagorjeva, Studenci, Spanca, Smrdani, Stropska, Smiloviqi, Stullca; -Sharprinci, shahiqi, Shqrrlinci, Shahinovci, shatra e Eperme, Shatra e Poshtme, Sharchi, Shanalluka, Shuliqi, respectively Shylyshi, Shillova, Shipovci, Shishmanovci, Shirokonjeva, Shulemaja, Shushnjaku, Shtullca; -Talirofci, Terstena, Ternava e Poshtme, Ternave e Eperme, Ternava(Nish), terpeza, Terrha, Termkolli, Terbunja e Eperme, Terbunja e Poshtme, Ternavillazi) all these names in brackets are with e-paza after T, Tena, Tihofci, Toqani, Toverlani, Toshi, topllaci, Topanica, Togaqevci, Treqaku, Trebinja, Tullari,(Jabllanic), Tullari(Prokuple), Tmava, Turjana, Tupalla, Tupalla (Nish), Turqica, Tubuzhde; -Umi, Uzllok, Ushi; -Vardeniku, Vardini, Vasiqevci, (Verbica, Verbova, Verbovci, Vertopi) these names in brackets are with an e-paza after V, Vrella, Vagermeni, Veqa, Vllasa e Eperme, Vuqaku, Vishesella, Vitosha, Vllahinja, Vllasa (of Prokuplje), Vllasa (of the Vranje district), Vllahova, vova, Vojllovci i Eperm, Vodica, Vojiznova, Verbovci i Eperm, Vrezhina e Poshtme, Visoka, Vershefci, Vranovci, Vuqjaku, Vukojefci, Vuqa, Vujanova, Vujiznova(Nish); -Zagragja, zaravinja, Zllatokoni, Zakishenje, Zuqa, Zllata, Zubuvci, Zebica; -Zhapska, Zhegrova, Zhdelova, Zhinipoyoku, Zhitorogja, Zhuqa, Zhuqi. -Cities: Prokupla, Kushumlia, Leskoci, Vranja, Nishi, Sharqoj Sheherqoj (Piroti), Bellapallanka, Terni. Total: 551 settlements.

However, there are also other settlements. The number of which is about 700 settlements. In the questions that were asked to those who moved from the Sandzak of Niš to the territory of Kosovo, the Albanians answered: “I am Albanian. I moved from Albania (from Arnautllyku fxh), the Sandzak of Niš, the territory of Prekupa, the village of Vllasë, the village of Mehanë, the village of Maqasteë, the village of Gjakë, the village of Kertok”, and other villages that considered themselves an integral ethnic part of Albania (Arnaut llyku xh).

It should be noted that until the end of the 19th century, Albanians were the autochthonous inhabitants of most of the cities, towns, villages of the Sandzak of Niš and beyond. The vast majority of Albanian families were concentrated in the Toplica region (Prokuplje, Dobrić, Kosaniča and parts of Jabllanice and Pustareka with Kuršumli), the Vranje region (part of Pustareka and Jabllanice regions, Leskoc region, Polanica, Gerdelica, Masurica, Pqinja, Inogoshtetj.), as well as in the Niš region and some in Pirot.

There were Albanian residents in other places, especially in cities, such as Qupri, Paraqin, Užić, Krushec, Aleksinc, Karanovc (Kraleve) and up to Belgrade. The Albanian population in the territories of the Sanxhank of Niš was mainly located in these settlements:

– Alikinci, Alabana, Arbanashka, Arbanashci, Araqa, Hasanovci; – Baltiqi, Barllova, Bajshtica e Eperme, Bajshtica e Poshtme, Balinovci, Baca, Banjska, Bajqiqi, Bajqinca, Buci, Borova, Banja e Repanjes, Bajqinovci, Bardyzi, Banja, Babviqevci, Babatica, Babishevci, Banjabara, Bajra, Batushica, Barlova, Berila, Bedila, Bellanica, Belibregu, Bellotini, Bellobregu, Bellanovci, Berxhika, Beselica, Berbatofci, Bellpola, Belegu, Bubavci, Berjana, Beashtica e Poshtme, Binovci, Bllaca, Boka, Borovci, Borinci, Bojniku, Bunovci, Bogujevci, bujanovci, Bugujevci (in the Jabllanica district), Buzhurana, Breznica, Bresternavi, Brallova, Brajshori, Branina, bresi, Brezniqiqi, Breznica, Bullatovci, Buqinca, Bublica, Bufca, Burevica, Burinci, Budeci, Bumberek, Bullaini, Bukollrami, Bukozhani, Bukovagllava, Bushtrani, Buqinca, Byqmeti i Eperm, Byqmeti i Poshtem, Byqmeti i Mesem, Bugunuvci; -Cervaneku, Cernoverni, Cerrcavci i Eperm, Cerrcavci i Poshtem, Cerrnatova; – Çestelina, Çiftliku, Çokoti, (one in the Niš district and one in Jabllanic), Çukovci; – Dankoviqi, Devotini, Dedinca, Devqa e Eperme, degermeni, Dediqi, Dekutina, Deshullovci, Dedishka, Dikovci, Dllugojnica, Dobratiqi, Debrejance, Dobrasheva, Dobridolli, Dragideli, Dragusha e Perma, Dragusha e Poshtme, Dranica, Dragobuzhda, draganci, drevina, Drenova, Drenci, Drenovci, Dubrava, Dubranja, Dubnica, Durnjaci, Dubova, Dugidelli, Dugolluka, Dublica, dukati, Drugalevci, Dubulevi; -Gazdara, Gajtani, Gabinca, Graica, Granica, Gesolica, Gegla, Gerguri (in Jabllanic), Gerguri (in the Prokuplje district), Gojnofci, Gopnja, Gollaku, Govori, Grabofci, Gragoqevci, Grabovica, Gerbafci, Grebolica, Glasoviku, Glasnoviqi, Gradni, Gunjaraku, gurivica, Gubetini, gurgurofci, gurgurova, Gurgora; -Gjemnica, Gjelekari, Gjelekara, Gjaka e Eperme, Gjaka e Poshtme, Gjukella, gjorgjefci, Gjushica, Gjingjusha, Gjurkofci, Gjurefci, Gjikolli, Gjurgjefci; -Hergaja, Huruglica e Eperme, Huruglica e Poshtme; -Igrishta (of Vranje), Igrishta (of Pusta Reke), Ivankulla Ivanja, Izumna; -Jabuqa, Jakofci, Upper Jashanica, Lower Jashanica, Jellashinca; -Kamenica, Katundmorina (Niš district), Komotena, Kumareva, Kallabofci, Katuni, Kacabaqi, Katiqi, Kapiti, Klaiqi, Klisurica, Konjufci, Koprani, Konxheli, Korbevci, Kodra, Konjuva, Konjuhi, Kojqiqi, Koqane, Kremenata, Kertoku, Krivaqa, Krushevica, Kerqmara e Eperme, Kerqmara e Poshtme, Kovanlloku, Kutllovci i eperme, Kutllovci I Poshtme, Kuqi, Krushevica, Kutlova, Kutllat, Kozmaqi, Koznica, Kordinci i Poshtem, Kordinci i Eperme, Kastrati, Kallabovci, Kalimanca, Koshareva, Konjina; -Legatica, Lebofci, Upper Levqa, Lebana, Leci, Leskovabara, Lepanja, Leboshtica, Letovnishte, Leturna, Lumeqi, Lepenica, Lipovica, Lusha; – Llallinca, Llazalla, Llapashtica, Llozana, Llozna, Llopetinca, Llugiqi, Llumnica, Llukova, Llugari; – Manistirishta, Masurica, Magashi, Mazareqi, Maleivci, Makovci, Magova, Magarenja, marovci, macedonci, Maqestena, Magjera, Maqina, Maqkovci, Matarova, Matajevci i madh, Matajevci I Vogel, merqezi, Megja, Maqkovci, Mekishi, Merofci, Mesgraja, Megjuana, mehanja, Mealica, Mernica, Medveci, (Merqa, Mellova, Merveshi, Mekishi, Meshica, Merkonja, Merlaku, Merkoviqi), all these names in brackets are with (the M after the M), Megjurova, Milina, Miroqica, Mikulofci, Mikulani, Mirovci, Miroshevci, Milivojci, Miskiqi, Miroslavavi, Mirinca, Mihalica, Molla e Kuqe, Momqilli, Mugosha, Muzaqa, Muqena, Muleviqi; -Novosella, Neredovci i Eperm, Neredovci i Poshtem, Negosavla, Novosella (one in the district of Toplice and one in that of Vranje), Neveda, Nelaku, Nesushta; -Orlishte, Orana, Orlana, Oraqi, Obertinca, Obllaqina, Ostrogllava, Obarda, Orashci; -Paqarada, Parada, Pasjaqa, Pasjaqa(Nish), Pavllovci, Pallata, Pashici, Petrovci, pevatica, Perunika, Pestishi, pestini, Petrila, Pertata, Peqenci, Pokofci, Pervetica, Peroshtica, Pllana e Madhe, Pllana e Vogel, Plakova, Plloqniku, respectively Pllashniku i Eperm, Pllashniku i Poshtem, Poterzhani, Popofci, Popova, Poturqoi, Pareqi, Pollomi, Pollomi (one in the Vranje region and the other in Prokuplje), Prebeza e Eperme, Prebeza e Poshtme, Prekoqna, Pretreshnjja, Prekodelli, Prekedini, Prevallci, Preboji, Preseka, Prekopquelnika, Prekopuca, Prekorogja, Prekashtica, Preobrazhenja, Preopollci, Piskala, Pishteva, Pustoshillova, Pustovojllovci, Pukovci, Pupovica; -Radeci, Radovci, Rabovci, Rafuna, Rakovica, rashka, Rashica, Rastelica, raqa, rasuhaqa, Ramabaja, Ramnishta, Ravnishori, Ravnareka, Rashevci, Rataji, rastavica, Rumanovci, Raputofci, Rastavica, Rasturrula, ragjenovci, Radinovci, Ramadeni, Relinci, Reqica e Eperme, Reqica e Poshtme (in Toplica), Teqica e Leskovci, Retkoceri i Eperm, Retkoceri i Poshtme, Resinci, Ribinci, Rudari, rukofci, Runjiku, Rubofci; -Samakova, Sellova, Seoce, Sekicolli, seqinica, Selishta, Sekiraqa, Slavnica, Sllamniku, Sllabniku, Sllatina, Siarina, Slishani, Slivnica, Slivova, Simnica, Sinanova, Sodarca, Skobari, Skoverqa, Statovci, Stublla, Stashillova, Starasella, Starobanja, Surdulica, Suvidolli, Suvojnica, Suvamorava, Sudimla, Svinjisishte, Sfirca, Svin jarina, Upper Sfarqa, Lower Sfarqa, Sagonjeva, Samarinci, Sagorjeva, Studenci, Spanca, Smrdani, Stropska, Smiloviqi, Stullca; -Sharprinci, shahiqi, Shqrrlinci, Shahinovci, shatra e Eperme, Shatra e Poshtme, Sharchi, Shanalluka, Shuliqi, respectively Shylyshi, Shillova, Shipovci, Shishmanovci, Shirokonjeva, Shulemaja, Shushnjaku, Shtullca; -Talirofci, Terstena, Ternava e Poshtme, Ternave e Eperme, Ternava(Nish), terpeza, Terrha, Termkolli, Terbunja e Eperme, Terbunja e Poshtme, Ternavillazi) all these names in brackets are with e-paza after T, Tena, Tihofci, Toqani, Toverlani, Toshi, topllaci, Topanica, Togaqevci, Treqaku, Trebinja, Tullari,(Jabllanic), Tullari(Prokuple), Tmava, Turjana, Tupalla, Tupalla (Nish), Turqica, Tubuzhde; -Umi, Uzllok, Ushi; -Vardeniku, Vardini, Vasiqevci, (Verbica, Verbova, Verbovci, Vertopi) these names in brackets are with an e-paza after V, Vrella, Vagermeni, Veqa, Vllasa e Eperme, Vuqaku, Vishesella, Vitosha, Vllahinja, Vllasa (of Prokuplje), Vllasa (of the Vranje district), Vllahova, vova, Vojllovci i Eperm, Vodica, Vojiznova, Verbovci i Eperm, Vrezhina e Poshtme, Visoka, Vershefci, Vranovci, Vuqjaku, Vukojefci, Vuqa, Vujanova, Vujiznova(Nish); -Zagragja, zaravinja, Zllatokoni, Zakishenje, Zuqa, Zllata, Zubuvci, Zebica; -Zhapska, Zhegrova, Zhdelova, Zhinipoyoku, Zhitorogja, Zhuqa, Zhuqi”.

Reference

Fahri Xharra “Serbia: Krijesë artificiale Ruse”, 2023. Gjakove.