In the turbulent 18th century, when Right-Bank Ukraine groaned under the yoke of Polish nobility and ordinary people suffered from serfdom, exploitation, and national oppression, avengers emerged from among the people — the Haidamaky. These were peasants, Cossacks, and townsfolk who took up arms, retreated into the forests, and waged guerrilla warfare against their oppressors. To some, they were heroes and freedom fighters; to others, outlaws and rebels. But who were the Haidamaky really? Let us explore this dramatic and complex chapter of Ukraine’s past.
The Origins and Meaning of the Word “Haidamaky”
The word “Haidamaky” comes from a Turkic root meaning “to chase” or “pursue.” Originally, it referred to raiders from Tatar and Nogai tribes who attacked Ukrainian lands. Later, Ukrainians adopted the term to describe their own resistance fighters — rebels who rose up against Polish lords and their agents. The term “Haidamaky” first appeared in historical records in the early 1700s. In 1717, the Polish Sejm issued a decree calling for the suppression of “haidamaky and other lawless elements.” Among the common people, however, the word took on a positive meaning — a title of honor for those who dared to defy the feudal order.
Roots and Causes of the Haidamaky Movement
The rise of the Haidamaky was driven by a mix of social, national, and religious factors. After the failure of the 17th-century Cossack Revolution and the division of Ukraine between Poland and Russia, Right-Bank Ukraine once again came under Polish control. The nobility returned and reimposed harsh feudal rule, stripping peasants of rights and burdening them with crushing obligations.
Alongside social injustice came national and religious discrimination. The Polish government restricted the use of the Ukrainian language, forced Catholicism and the Union Church, and persecuted the Orthodox faith. This inflamed the people, who still remembered the freedoms of the Cossack era.
A further catalyst was Poland’s internal decay in the 18th century — weak kings, feuding magnates, and a declining nobility. The resulting power vacuum created ideal conditions for armed peasant resistance.
Who Were the Haidamaky?
The Haidamaky were a spontaneous and diverse movement, made up of peasants, Cossacks, vagabonds, hired hands, and the urban poor. Some were motivated by personal revenge or desperation, others by a hunger for justice. Many were former Zaporizhian Cossacks unwilling to accept the collapse of the Sich and the loss of their freedoms.
The core of Haidamaky units were fugitive peasants fleeing forced labor, finding refuge in forests and ravines. They were joined by impoverished townsmen and unemployed Cossacks, many of whom crossed from Left-Bank Ukraine or Zaporizhzhia seeking vengeance on Polish landlords.
Experienced leaders — often former Cossacks or respected peasants — commanded the Haidamaky. They trained fighters, planned raids, and distributed spoils. Among the most notable commanders of the 18th century were Verlan, Hnat Holy, Martyn Teslia, Ivan Zhyla, Maksym Zalizniak, and Ivan Honta.
What Did the Haidamaky Fight For?
Their rallying cry was: “Faith, Freedom, Ukraine!” The Haidamaky opposed Polish rule, serfdom, and the forced spread of Catholicism and the Union Church. They dreamed of reviving the Cossack state and securing land and dignity for their people. Their struggle was both social and national in nature.
They sought vengeance against Polish nobles and tax collectors for the suffering inflicted on ordinary Ukrainians. They burned manor houses, destroyed records of serfdom, and seized goods and money. Importantly, they shared what they took with the poor — not looting commoners, but supporting them.
Restoring Orthodox Christianity was another key goal. The Haidamaky destroyed Catholic churches and monasteries, targeted Jesuit missionaries, and protected Orthodox clergy, even helping rebuild Orthodox churches.
Ultimately, the Haidamaky hoped to liberate Ukraine from Polish control and reestablish Cossack autonomy. They believed their uprising would spark a nationwide rebellion. But due to a lack of unity and leadership, this vision was never fully realized.
How Did the Haidamaky Operate?
Haidamaky units ranged from a few dozen to hundreds of fighters, with elected commanders. They conducted lightning raids on estates, Catholic institutions, and taverns run by Jewish leaseholders. After acquiring weapons and supplies, they would scatter — only to regroup later. Local villagers often supported them with food, shelter, and information.
Their tactics resembled guerrilla warfare: ambushes, sudden strikes, and raids behind enemy lines. Avoiding direct confrontation with regular troops, they relied on mobility and local knowledge. Their arsenal included rifles, pistols, sabers, spears — even axes, scythes, and pitchforks.
Polish authorities responded with brutal repression — mass executions, torture, and bounties on rebels. Special forces and loyalist Cossacks were dispatched to crush the Haidamaky. Yet despite the violence, the movement only grew in strength and scale.
Major Haidamaky Uprisings
Though early Haidamaky groups appeared in the early 1700s, the movement peaked between the 1730s and 1760s. One of the first major uprisings came in 1734, led by Verlan, whose thousand-strong force raided Kyiv, Bratslav, and Podillia. Polish troops eventually defeated the rebels, and Verlan was captured and executed in Lviv.
Another major uprising erupted in 1750, led by the Zaporizhian Cossack Hnat Holy. His army took towns including Uman, Vinnytsia, and Letychiv before being crushed by a combined Polish-Russian force. Holy was captured and executed in Kodnia.
The most famous and powerful uprising came in 1768, led by Maksym Zalizniak and Ivan Honta. Zalizniak, a Zaporizhian Cossack, led the rebels in the Cherkasy region, while Honta — originally a commander in a Polish-aligned unit — joined the rebellion. Their joint force swelled to 30,000 men.
The rebels seized dozens of towns and even stormed the heavily fortified city of Uman. For a brief moment, it seemed a Cossack state might be reborn. But the uprising was crushed by Polish forces with Russian support. Zalizniak was exiled to Siberia, and Honta was tortured and executed in Uman.
This final uprising marked both the high point and the end of the Haidamaky movement. Afterward, rebel activity declined sharply. The partitioning of Poland at the end of the 18th century saw Right-Bank Ukraine annexed by the Russian Empire, ending Polish rule and the age of the Haidamaky.
Legacy and Remembrance
Despite their ultimate defeat, the Haidamaky left a lasting mark on Ukrainian history. They proved that the Cossack spirit and thirst for freedom still lived among the people. In folklore and memory, the Haidamaky became defenders of justice — avengers of the oppressed. Their deeds are celebrated in folk songs and legends.
In the 19th century, the Haidamaky became prominent in Ukrainian literature and art. Taras Shevchenko immortalized them in his poem Haidamaky, calling them “holy warriors.” The work became a rallying cry for national dignity. Panteleimon Kulish portrayed the movement in his novel The Black Council, framing it as a fight for Cossack liberties.
In the 20th century, Soviet historians downplayed the Haidamaky as a spontaneous peasant revolt lacking political purpose. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian diaspora honored them as national heroes and precursors to later liberation movements. Today in independent Ukraine, they are seen as courageous fighters for freedom and justice.
Conclusion
The Haidamaky movement was a product of its time — an era of statelessness, serfdom, and national and religious oppression. It was the people’s response to historical injustice, an attempt to win back dignity through armed resistance. The Haidamaky were a diverse group — heroes and outlaws, idealists and opportunists, visionary leaders and raw rebels — but they embodied a powerful desire for self-rule.
Though they failed to achieve their political goals, their struggle left a deep imprint. They proved the unbreakable will of Ukrainians to resist domination, to organize, and to fight back. The Haidamaky became a symbol of defiance, bravery, and sacrifice for the sake of high ideals. Their example inspired later generations of Ukrainian freedom fighters — from the Brotherhood of Saints Cyril and Methodius to the UPA and Soviet-era dissidents.
To study the Haidamaky is to honor past warriors and to better understand the roots of Ukraine’s national character — its hopes, struggles, and resilience. Their story reminds us that freedom requires not just courage and weapons, but vision, unity, and leadership.
And most of all, the Haidamaky showed that the Ukrainian people have never accepted subjugation — always ready to rise, to fight, and to reclaim their homeland. As long as the indomitable spirit of Zalizniak and Honta burns in our hearts, Ukraine will live — and prevail.