Jakša

Jakša (Јакша; fl. 1452-1453), was a military commander (voivodа, Duke) in the Serbian Despotate, under Đurađ Branković. In 1452, he was sent as a deputy of the Despot to Dubrovnik. As an Ottoman vassal, Đurađ was forced to send an army to participate in the siege of Constantinople (1453). Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror did not tell Đurađ his intentions, but said that the cavalry would travel to Karaman. The sultan slaughtered civilians on his way to Constantinople, which he quickly besieged, Duke Jakša hearing of this, wanted to return but was warned that if they would not continue, the Sultan would destroy the Serbs. The cavalry reached Constantinople, which had been the cradle of Southeastern Christianity and culture, serving as the capital of the now destroyed Byzantine Empire. In his army was Konstantin Mihailović.

He is the eponymous founder of the Jakšić noble family. He had two sons, Stefan and Dmitar.