He was born as Stefan Todorov Dimov () in the village of
Ichme (now
Stefan Karadzhovo), near
Yambol in
Rumelia, and was reputedly a descendant of
Momchil Voyvoda. Karadzha studied in
Tulcea,
Dobruja, but quit school due to lack of funding. During a wedding celebration, he defeated the famous
Turkish wrestler Gaazi Plisa. Going into hiding for some time, as Ottoman authorities were searching for him, he then emigrated to
Principality of Romania and later joined the
First Bulgarian Legion in
Belgrade,
Principality of Serbia. Karadzha crossed the
Danube from
Wallachia a couple of times, carrying out revolutionary tasks. In 1867, he joined the
Second Bulgarian Legion, which he quit the following year before returning to Romania, where he had a meeting with
Hadzhi Dimitar. On 6 June, both of them were leaders of a detachment of 129 people, and crossed the Danube at
Vardim, near
Svishtov. Their
cheta was supposed to get to
Stara Planina and establish a revolutionary government there which would then command a general uprising of all Bulgarians. This was not to happen, though, as the group was discovered by Turkish forces shortly after crossing the river. Stefan Karadzha was badly wounded during the fight at Kanladere near
Vishovgrad, and was captured by the army and police sent by the chairman of the
State Council,
Midhat Pasha. Afterwards, on 12 July, he was transported to
Tarnovo, and later to
Rousse. Karadzha was standing half-dead before the emergency Turkish court, assembled by Midhat Pasha, the so-called
criminal council, and sentenced to death by
hanging, but died from his wounds before the execution. He was buried by
Tonka Obretenova, who preserved his skull. ==Honours==