On March 23, 1848, Baron Josip Jelačić was appointed as the Croatian ban through a royal decree issued at a time when he was still only a colonel stationed in Glina. As was customary for Croatian bans, upon his appointment, he was promoted to the rank of general, a practice that typically saw officers being named to the position already holding that rank, or receiving it upon their appointment. Therefore, Jelačić's elevation to the position was in line with longstanding tradition.

At the time of his appointment, the slow pace of communication meant that Jelačić did not learn of his new position for three days, receiving the news on March 26, 1848, in the town of Lekenik, situated between Sisak and Velika Gorica. This delay adds context to the challenges faced during that period in terms of governance and the transfer of information, which can be crucial for understanding political dynamics in 19th century Croatia.

Jelačić's formal investiture as ban took place on June 5, 1848, in Zagreb, further solidifying his role in Croatian politics during a time of significant change in the region. His leadership would later play an essential role in the revolutionary movements within Croatia, marking him as a pivotal figure in the country’s historical narrative.