The hajduk is a type of peasant irregular infantry found in Central and Southeast Europe from the early 17th to mid 19th centuries. They have reputations ranging from bandits to freedom fighters depending on time, place, and their enemies.

In Balkan folkloric tradition, the hajduk (hajduci or haiduci in the plural) is a romanticised hero figure who steals from, and leads his fighters into battle against, the Ottoman Empire authorities. They are somewhat comparable to the English legend of Robin Hood and his merry men, who stole from the rich and gave to the poor, while defying seemingly unjust laws and authority.