The term gradar is Slavic and occurs in only two known Bulgarian royal charters, those of Mraka and Rila. An older interpretation connects it with the word “gardener.” A derivation from the verb meaning “to build” or “to construct” is more convincing, however. The scant evidence does not permit the office’s precise emergence, development, or disappearance to be traced.
The gradar’s probable activity can be understood through the obligation called gradozidanie. This was an angaria, or compulsory labor service imposed on the population, for building and repairing fortresses and other defensive works. A comparable obligation appears in Serbian royal documents and corresponds to the Byzantine kastroktisia (καστροκτισία). The gradar’s inclusion in the protective formulas of charters indicates that his actions could burden people or estates exempted from such services.
It is not known whether the gradar assembled builders and other laborers, supervised the construction itself, or performed both tasks. His position near the end of lists of officials indicates that he did not belong to the empire’s senior or influential officeholders. Because the evidence is limited, identifying him simply as a “gardener” remains uncertain, whereas an association with fortress construction provides a more coherent explanation of the institution.
The word gradar is Slavic, and it appears in only two known Bulgarian royal charters, the charters of Mraka and Rila. One older explanation links it to the word “gardener.” But a more convincing explanation is that it comes from a verb meaning “to build” or “to construct.” Because the evidence is so limited, we cannot trace exactly when this office first appeared, how it developed, or when it disappeared.
The best clue to the gradar’s work comes from the duty called gradozidanie. This was an angaria, meaning compulsory labor service imposed on the population, used for building and repairing fortresses and other defenses. A similar duty is found in Serbian royal documents, and it matches the Byzantine kastroktisia (καστροκτισία), a term for fortress-building service. The fact that the gradar is included in the protective clauses of charters suggests that his actions could affect people or estates that were supposed to be exempt from such labor.
We do not know whether the gradar gathered builders and other workers, supervised the building work itself, or did both. His place near the end of official lists shows that he was not among the empire’s top or most powerful officeholders. Since the evidence is so thin, calling him simply a “gardener” is still doubtful. An association with fortress construction, by contrast, gives a much clearer explanation of what the office was.
The word **gradar** appears in only two known Bulgarian royal charters, from **Mraka** and **Rila**. People once thought it meant “gardener,” but it is more likely linked to building and construction.
This official was probably connected with **fortress building and repairs**. He may have gathered workers, watched the work, or done both. The evidence is too small to know for sure, but he seems to have been a **low-ranking official**, not an important court man.