Pavle Bakić

Pavle Bakić (Serbian: Павле Бакић, Hungarian: Bakith Pál; ca. 1525 - 20 September 1537) was the last Despot of Serbia, he ruled a large territory under the Hungarian crown until his death in 1537.

Life

Pavle had a Turkish timar, as did his father, and was the lord of great estates around Venčac in Šumadija called "Bakić's land". He was highly viewed of by the Ottoman Empire, and had the rights to collect taxes (kharaj) from his people.

In talks with Pál Tomori and Louis II of Hungary, he left his land with his family, five brothers (including Petar Bakić), and a great number of Serbs, into Hungary, and in return he received the town of Lak among other estates. With his forces he participated in the Battle of Mohács in 1526.

After the battle the Šajkaši were still unpaid for their services. Ferdinand reprimanded the court for nothing having paid at least part of the unpaid salary to the Šajkaši. Bakić once again turned to Ferdinand, alerting him that the nonpayment to the Šajkaši would cause estrangement of the Serbs in his lands, and those of Zapolya and the Ottoman Empire. He also informed Ferdinand of the persecution of Serbs by the Austrian staff and officers.