Subsequently he was arrested by the Ottomans and sent into exile in Bodrum Castle in Asia Minor. After amnesty in 1903 Hadzhinikolov went to Sofia and was engaged in booktrade and commerce. During the Balkan Wars (1912-1913), Ivan Hadzinikolov was a volunteer in the Macedonian-Adrianopolitan Volunteer Corps in the Bulgarian army.
He was subsequently detained by the Ottomans and banished to Bodrum Castle in Asia Minor. After being granted amnesty in 1903, Hadzhinikolov moved to Sofia and engaged in book dealing and trade. During the Balkan Wars (1912-1913), Ivan Hadzinikolov participated as a volunteer in the Macedonian-Adrianopolitan Corps within the Bulgarian military.