HAJDSG

region in Hajd-Bihar megye (county), northeastern Hungary. The region lies between the Hortobgy (q.v.) steppe on the south and the Nyrseg on the east, and the rivers east and south of the Tisza. Nearby are several towns with the same prefix (Hajdnns, Hajddorog, Hajdvid, Hajdhadhz, Hajdszoboszl, Hajdsmson, Hajdszovt, and the largest, Hajdbszrmny ). The modern inhabitants of the Hajdsg are descendants of peoples who fled the westward expansion of the Ottomans in the 15th century. Some are descended from local herdsmen (Hungarian hajt) of the region, and some from Magyar and Slav foot soldiers (hajdus) who fought for Istvn (Stephen) Bocskay (15571606), prince of Transylvania. This militarized population, called haiduk (brigand, or bandit) by the Turks, were granted lands, privileges, and title exemptions by Bocskay. The region's fortified towns and their citizens played a role in the struggles against both the Turks and the Habsburgs. Hajdbszrmny was the capital of these military settlements until 1876, when the area was incorporated into Hajd-Bihar megye and the privileges were terminated.