Mayors The village has had a variety of names such as Kardzhilare (written formally Karadzhilar the Turkish for 'deer') until 1906, then called Popovo from 1906 until 1950 when it became Iskra.

Kameniviya Hissar (Hisar Little, Taushanitsa) where, according to Paul Deliradev and Ivan Velikov are situated a Thracian fortress and settlement.

There are many tales of a considerable population around the village of Iskra during the Thracian, Roman, Byzantine, until the collapse of the Bulgarian state under Ottoman occupation.

Hence the origin and a large trove of about 800 silver coins of the Roman Republic, which opened in 1929, it is called Popova and mentioned by Evliya Çelebi.

Southwest of Iskra has traces of another village: foundations of rural churches, crosses, night-lights, and the remains of two older buildings - perhaps fortresses.

The location of the village was seen as favorable, situated in a sheltered hollow on the banks of the river Kayaliyka / divide between Eastern and Western Rhodope / attracted many settlers, not only Bulgarians.

Some of the oldest family names are Karaivanov, Bonev, Dzhangozovtsi, Borizanovi, Chalakovtsi, Gaydadzhievtsi, Katrandjiev, Bichovtsi, Akabalievtsi, Nalbantovtsi, Margaritova, Kadiev, Sirakovi and others.