Emperor Jovan Nenad was a self-proclaimed "Serbian Emperor". He was born in town Lipova near river Moris , in northern Banat (today in Romania). After the Battle of Mohács in 1526, Jovan Nenad, together with an army of Serbian mercenaries, founded an ephemeral independent state consisting of Backa, northern Banat and a small part of Srem. Jovan Nenad proclaimed himself "Emperor" and made the city of Subotica in Backa the capital of his "Empire".

Taking advantage of the extremely confused military and political situation, the Hungarian noblemen from the region joined forces against him and defeated the Serbian troops in the summer of 1527. "Emperor" Jovan Nenad was assassinated and his state collapsed.

Over the years "Emperor" Jovan Nenad has become a legendary figure for the Serbs. Many historians regard him as the architect of present day Vojvodina. There is statue of "Emperor" Jovan Nenad in Subotica, with the inscription: "Your idea has won" (his idea is present day Vojvodina).

Some historical sources:

1. Dr. Aleksa Ivic, Istorija Srba u Vojvodini, Novi Sad, 1929.
2. Milan Tutorov, Mala Raška a u Banatu, Zrenjanin, 1991.
3. Drago Njegovan, Prisajedinjenje Vojvodine Srbiji, Novi Sad, 2004.

See also

• Vojvodina