Tsanko Dyustabanov

Dyustabanov was born in Gabrovo in today's Bulgaria, which was then part of the Ottoman Empire.

He attended the Gabrovo School and was fluent in French and Turkish, he later studied at Robert College in Istanbul in 1872-1873.

Though not a supporter of the revolutionary campaign in the struggle for national liberation, Dyustabanov gradually became active in the social and political life of Gabrovo.

Dyustabanov joined the local revolutionary committee and assisted the preparation of the April Uprising of 1876.

He led a cheta (detachment) when the uprising broke out and fought with Ottoman posses in the regions of Batoshevo, Kravenik and Novo Selo.