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Karageorge[kar´ujOrj´, kA´´rAjOr´jA] Pronunciation Key, 1768?–1817, Serbian patriot. Born George Petrovic, he was known as Karageorge, or Black George. He led the Serbs in their insurrection (1804) against the Ottomans, took (1806) Belgrade, where the Ottoman population was massacred, and was proclaimed (1808) hereditary chief of the Serbs. He fought with Russia against the Ottoman Empire (1809–12). Abandoned by the Russians when peace was signed, he fled to Austria. On his return to Serbia he was murdered, probably at the instigation of Milos Obrenovic (see Milos). Although an illiterate peasant, Karageorge showed great military ability. In Serbo-Croatian his name is Karadjordje, and the dynasty descended from him is known as Karadjordjevic.
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