Gerz Ilijasova – Đerzelezova vojnička služba i refleksije na toponomastiku
Gerz-Ilijas’ – Đerzelez’s army service and reflections on toponomastics

Summary/Abstract: Based on available sources, it is impossible to reliably determine the whereabouts of the beginning of Gerz Iljas’ military career. In historical sources he is mentioned as sipahi in the area of Skopje, Macedonia. He continued his military service in Bosnia advancing from the order of beginner sipahi to the position of zaim – the big sipahi, eventually being awarded with the title of bey. He lived mostly in the area of Central Bosnia having his timari in wider surrounding of Zenica, Brod nahiya. Bosnia’s borderline mentality proved useful for showing himself in the battlefield what promoted him into numerous oral stories and people’s folklore. There is also powerful reflection in toponymy of Bosnia causing the names of some places, with various degree of certainty, to be given after events Gerz Iljas participated in. It is reliably known that places such as Gerzovo, Gerz’s field and Gerz’s hill were named after death place of Gerz Iljas. The same thing is with Gerz Iljas’ inn in Bučići near Travnik while the origin of some other names like Busovača, Vitez and Travnik, without much proof, relate to some events in these areas during the stay of our hero in Central Bosnia.

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