Ivan Andrija Makar

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Ivan Andrija Makar of Makarska (c. 1640–1700) was a Croatian general and haramije leader who served in the Habsburg Military Frontier during the Great Turkish War.

Born in Križevci around 1640, he began his military career after finishing regular training. In 1682, before the war began in full, he dueled and killed the Ottoman captain of Virovitica. He distinguished himself in Slavonia and Hungary during the war, and in 1684 he liberated Orahovica by routing the Ottoman garrison.

In 1686 Makar led Croatian forces in Slavonia, defeating Funduk-pasha of Bosnia, and he crossed the Drava to contribute to the liberation of Szigetvar. He was appointed commander of Szigetvar and fought around Pécs and Kaposvár. He and his men attacked Pécs in October 1686 and routed the Ottomans from the town. Although they could not take the fort right away due to lack of artillery, they waited for help from Louis, Margrave of Baden, who provided siege equipment. After heavy bombardment, the Ottomans surrendered. Makar became commander of Pécs and led the Croat regiment he personally recruited. A hill near Pécs was later named Makar hill in his honor. In 1687 Emperor Leopold granted him noble status, making him baron Ivan Makar de Makarska.

In the winter of 1690 a large Ottoman army crossed the Sava River, and after fighting, Makar and his troops regained control over most of Slavonia, including Požega. In 1691, Croatian forces under Ban Nikola Erdody were again sent to Slavonia, and after driving most of the Ottomans away, the remaining defenders took refuge in Velika Monastery. To eliminate them, Makar ordered the monastery burned, an action that removed the invaders but also damaged the Franciscan community.

Between 1694 and 1696 he commanded Novi fort and Zrin fort. He worked with Luka Ibrišimović to bring the liberated Slavonian lands under the Diocese of Zagreb. Later, he held command over the Virovitica–Požega region. He died in 1700, having written his last will on 5 November of that year. Spouse: Sidonija Sofman.