Haiduk, or HAJDUK

Haiduk, or HAJDUK (from a Hungarian word meaning 'drover,' 'cowherd'), the name given in Hungary to those who in the 16th century maintained a guerilla warfare against the Turks, from the forests of eastern Hungary. In 1605 Stephen Bocskay, prince of Transylvania, established them in a district which he set apart for their occupation, on the left bank of the Theiss, gave them an independent constitution, and conferred upon them the privileges of hereditary nobility. This favoured position they retained until the conclusion of the war of 1849. The Haiduks are engaged almost exclusively in agriculture. In 1876 their country was incorporated in the county of Hajdu, with Debreczin as capital. The name was formerly borne by the Hungarian infantry of the line; and in the 18th century it was also applied to the retainers of the Hungarian magnates.