The Battle of Rržanica (Montenegrin: Bitka na Rržanici; Albanian: Beteja e Rrzhanicës) took place on the bridge of Rržanica river in Montenegro. King Nicholas I of Montenegro had planned intentions of invading Albanian lands. The King's intentions, with several others, was to invade Albania and discuss plans with his general (Marko Miljanov) on how to do so. The word quickly was sent to the Albanians of Malësia (Great Highlands). Marash Uci traveled to Çun Mula in Hoti and asked him to summon the tribal leaders of Hoti and Gruda to the Church of Saint John's (Kisha e Shen Gjonit), located in Hoti, without delay for a council meeting.
The men resolve to take arms to defend their land, and make Çun Mula their commander, one of those men were Baca Kurti of Gruda. The Malësors of Hoti and Gruda battled against the forces of Marko Miljanov. The Montenegrins were defeated at Rržanica Bridge and Marko Miljanov was forced to withdraw. King Nicholas in Cetinje was informed of the defeat and was told that Albanian forces are massing at the border.
When Prince Nicholas I of Montenegro and his army stepped foot on the Albanian land (which had been given to him by the Congress of Berlin)the albanian nationalist Baca Kurti heard gunshots from an extreme point in Malësia, and he and other men of Malësia organized a resistance against Montenegro and against the injustice of Europe. He opposed the selling of Albanian land in th European Diplomacy deal. A golden page in the 1,000 years of Albanian history was made towards the end of the 19th century, when Baca Kurti and other Malësors of Northern Albania fought and defeated Montenegrins in the Battle of Ržanica. These words he said towards his fellow natives for the protection of Ura e Rrzhanicës (Rrzhanica Bridge) in Malësia, against the Montenegrin army;
Vëllazën, anmiku po na mësyen! Kush don me dekë sot për vend të vet dhe për nder të armëve të veta, të vinë pas meje!
("Brothers, the enemy is coming after us! whoever wants to die today for their own country and for the honor of their armor, shall follow me")
—Baca Kurti
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