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In 1786 the king of Kartli-Kakheti kingdom (Eastern Georgia), Irakli II

sent an ambassador to Egypt, where the government at this time was in the hands of the Georgian Mameluke dynasty Begebi. Mamelukes have welcomed the ambassador, but really help Kartli-Kakheti could not. In 1786, the king signed a peace treaty with the Akhaltsikhe Pasha. Kartli-Kakheti messenger of the king with great honor and also took Agha Mohammad Khan. However, it was clear that the stronger he got, the more aggressive it was his attitude to Georgia. In December 1786 in Sagarejo a meeting was held, which considered the issue of the revision of foreign policy orientation. But to change the orientation in such a tense situation meant to complicate relations with Russia, besides neither Iran nor Turkey is no longer trusted Irakli.
In 1787 started the Russian-Turkish war. Russia withdrew its battalion from Georgia, explaining that allows Georgia to settle the relations with its neighbors.
Tired of the endless power struggle between David Giorgis dze and David Archilis dze, representatives of the kingdom of Imereti (Dositey Kutateli, Ekvtime Genateli, Zurab Tsereteli, Sehniya Tsulukidze and other) in 1789, arrived in Tbilisi and Imereti offered Irakli attached to his kingdom. Convened on this important issue Darbazi majority voted for the accession of Imereti. The opponent was basically the queen Darejan environment.


After two days of deliberation the king Irakli said that can not take away the throne from his grandson, so can not join the kingdom of Imereti.
Note that Imereti was part of the sphere of influence of Turkey and its accession would aggravate relations with Turkey Irakli. The decision of the king, perhaps influenced by the queen Darejan.
In 1789, Imereti to the throne was erected David Archilis dze, after which named Solomon II.


In 1790, at the initiative of the Solomon Lionidze was signed "Treatise Iberian kings and princes," which was signed by Irakli II, Solomon II, George Dadiani Mtavari Samegrelo, Simon Gurieli Mtavari Guria. The signatories recognize the advantage of Irakli and he is entrusted with the settlement of relations with Russia, but did not join the Treaty of 1783.
Meanwhile Catley-Kakheti kingdom faced a real threat from Agha Mohammad Khan, who demanded that Irakli break the alliance with Russia. It was clear that Agha Mohammad Khan will act against Georgia, Irakli therefore appealed to Russia for help. Russia promised to send troops, but promises not fulfilled.
In 1795, Agha Mohammad Khan Qajar

moved to Tbilisi. September 10 at the Battle of Soganluga Iranians were defeated and were about to go back, but the Georgian traitors told Agha Mohammad Khan about the small number of troops of Irakli.
September 11 Krtsanisi field 5000 Georgian soldiers to fight in mortal combat with 35 thousand Iranians. This was one of the most tragic battles in the history of the Georgian people. Numerical superiority of Iranians decided the battle - the Georgians were defeated. 75-year-old Irakli his grandchildren with the power derived from the field. Some princes do not accept some of the battle, but it actually was a betrayal and his father and his homeland. Fate of Kartli-Kakheti was solved. The defeated Irakli could no longer refuse
the alliance with Russia.
Agha Mohammad Khan terribly devastated Tbilisi. The defeat in the battle with the Iranians was a heavy blow to Heraclius. After the departure of Agha Mohammad Khan, he pereehall
Telavi and he never returned to Tbilisi. January 11, 1798 the king died. He was buried in the crypt of Mtskheta.
After the death of Irakli II the throne occupied by his son George XII.

During the life of his father George have had a strained relationship with his brothers, and after the death of Heraclius, these relations have become more acute.
Princes retired to his estates, and did not obey the king. Georgian princes and aznauris divided into two groups. One group supported her son George XII, David, and the other - the son of Irakli II, Yulon. It is noteworthy that a small part of the feudal lords was a supporter of joining Russia, the other part of the feudal lords held that Kartli-Kakheti should take advantage of the contradictions between the large states and maneuvering them to maintain their independence.
The accession of George XII marked the onset of a new reaction.
The brothers of the king, incited by their mother, the queen Darejan, forced the patient and weak-willed George XII confirm the order of succession,
according to which the throne passed to the eldest in the genus. Thus, he became heir to the throne Prince Yulon son Irakli II.


Giorgi XII soon tried to cancel a new order of succession, but grouping the brothers of the king would not let him do it.
As a result, between the king and his brothers appeared irreconcilable hostility. Around the princes began to group disgruntled George Duke.
Antitsarskuyu group led by princes and Vic Alexander. Party headed by Prince George Chavchavadze.
The royal court was divided into two camps; split took an extremely dangerous character in a country is going through a political crisis. Any initiative of the king caused an extremely negative reaction of one of the warring factions of the court and actually blocked.
Giorgi XII and take his side diplomats sensibly assessed the created situation in the state; they understood that the only way to prevent strife in the country is armed with assistance from Russia, in the amount necessary to provide an external and internal security of the Kingdom of Kartli-Kakheti. In 1798, George XII concluded in Kizlyar agreement with Russia
"Eternal friendship and alliance." According to the agreement, the kingdom of Kartli-Kakheti disclaims vassal of Persia and accepted the protection of Russia. Russia to guarantee the independence and integrity of the territory of Kartli-Kakheti. In turn, the Kartli-Kakheti pledged not to engage in "unions nasty Russian state", and in the event of hostilities against common opponents provide military forces, territory and providing for the passage of Russian troops in the fighting. Under the contract Russia also had the right to keep troops in the amount of 4 infantry battalions and 2 Cossack hundreds at 4 guns in the territory of Kartli-Kakheti and in case of war to increase the number of its troops. Kartli-Kakheti was given full internal autonomy, while it is strongly recommended to keep the unity and avoid internecine strife, which Giorgi XII was not to conflict with the king of Imereti Solomon II.
However, an agreement has not been approved in Russia due to the requirement of Emperor Paul I on the complete subordination of the kingdom of Kartli-Kakheti and its entry into Russia. This caused the rejection in the Kartli court and exacerbated internal struggle. In 1799, in Kartli-Kakheti joined the Russian regiment of General Lazarev. With him came a Russian official representative at the court of George XII - Kovalensky. In 1799 the head of the Caucasian expedition organized Bergkollegiey, Count Musin-Pushkin resolution of Emperor Paul I, entered into negotiations with the Georgian king George XII of full accession to Russia.
November 23, 1800 the emperor gave a rescript addressed to George XII
taking it into the realm of citizenship of Russia. Georgy was promised to leave him right to the end of the king's life. However, after his death, the Russian government intends to approve was heir to the throne of David G. governor-general with the title of king, and Georgia ranked among Russian provinces under the name of Kingdom of Georgia. This was followed by an imperial rescript General Knorring.

He was ordered to send troops to Georgia and, in the case of the death of King George, not to appoint a successor until a special order. This order was at odds with the principles of the treatise in 1798, which left the appointment of the successor to the competence of the Georgian king.
In January 1801 Prince David has published a proclamation: "His Majesty commanded me to approach the throne of Georgia by inheritance, with the rank of governor thereof." Brother of the late king did not recognize claims to the throne of David, and refused to offer him the oath. Against David was a plot headed by prince Alexander and queen Darejan Dadiani. Back in April 1800 the princes forced King George Queen to release from house detention. At the same time, following the instructions of St. Petersburg, General Lazarev issued an ultimatum demanded to give up the kingdom of David, before the official announcement of the manifesto of Paul.
January 18 at St. Petersburg was issued a manifesto on the accession of the kingdom of Kartli-Kakheti to Russia. The plan was soon to announce it in Georgia, but the events that unfolded in Tiflis and St. Petersburg, prevented this.

February 13 in Tbilisi was killed by conspirators King David XII. The country has unfolded uprising against Russian troops, who were locked in Tbilisi Narikala Citadel. Tactless and even selfish actions Kovalensky and Lazarev,
completely hardened and Georgians contributed to the success of the rebels. The rebels proclaimed king prince Yulon Iraklievich and began to occupy key fortresses of the country. People turned to their side. General Lazarev, who tried to eliminate the insurgency through negotiations, or at least buy time until the arrival of the forces of the Caucasian Corps, was killed during the negotiations.
In early March 1801 in the Kartli-Kakheti joined the corps of General Knorring.

He was able to defeat the rebels quickly enough, and force their leaders to flee to Persia and Imereti. The Queen and Prince Alexander Daredjan were arrested and deported to Russia. For the management of the country has created a provisional government Knorring
with a number of loyal princes and running General Tuchkov.

At the same time in St. Petersburg conspirators killed the Emperor Paul I.
Alexander I ordered a review of Paul's manifesto on Georgia as had no legal force. He relied on the opinion of his advisers "secret council" Vorontsov and Kochubey, who were against the annexation of Georgia. They proceeded from the fact that the basic principle of the policy of Alexander at the moment is not the expansion of the empire, and the internal improvement. The question of the conquest of the Caspian region is no longer necessary, and the accession of Georgia has always been a part of this plan. Unanimity in the desire of the Georgian people, too questionable, because the people had no way to express signified unanimity. Wealth Georgian mines extremely doubtful, but their Georgia offers Russia to pass, so for the full accession of mines does not make sense. The report "evaluated the accession of Georgia in terms of national interests of Russia and reacted negatively to this connection.
Vorontsov


and Kochubey


offered: to elect to the throne pretender basic personal qualities which are: unconditional loyalty to Russia, energy and ability to unite the people. If necessary, should remove the other applicants, leave a small amount of Georgian troops "on the ground for food." This was required as much as possible to avoid interfering in the internal affairs of Georgia.
However, to obtain accurate and complete information, the Council decided to send to Georgia Knorring graph to find out whether Georgia could be an independent kingdom, and whether people unanimously wished accession.
Knorring returned to St. Petersburg June 28, 1801 and filed his report to the Emperor. He spoke negatively to the question whether the goods at the moment to stand without help and at the same time as a negative to the question whether the unanimous wish Georgian citizenship. This Knorring made a reservation, that in the presence of external support and the sovereign, the people received in time possible to restore full independence of Georgia.
On the basis of this report and the opinions of advisers, Alexander I decided to return to the basic provisions of the treaty in 1798 Kizlyar. As the new king after a long election was approved the candidature of Prince Pyotr Bagration.


Not having direct links with the former dynasty, Peter Bagration was the great-grandson of the king of Jesse, and thus belonged to the royal family and had a right to the throne (albeit dubious). His energy in military and dedication allow Russia to hope that he will be able to rein in the local princes and mtavaris and be able to independently confront Persia (as the main enemy at that time), while not engaging in anti-Russian alliance. For a more efficient domestic policies as advisers suggested he give Tsitsianov

and General Tuchkov.
Thus, the manifesto of August 28, 1801, Prince Pyotr Bagration was approved by the king of Kartli-Kakheti.
But to assume his duties the new king could not immediately. During the autumn of 1801, Peter was preparing to march to Tbilisi.
By the time the forefront of the new administration Karnl-out struggle against the Kakheti mountain peoples of Dagestan and Azerbaijan, whose raids were regular and lead to serious consequences, up to the complete neglect of the eastern territories of the country. Highlanders, especially Lezgins, operated a large force, and often even made successful attacks on Russian troops. General Knorring was surrounded at the time of departure to Russia, and Ossetians completely destroyed the Don Cossack regiment, next to Tbilisi. General Tuchkov denounced that the army standing by Tbilisi, "did not have any night of rest." Lezgins destroyed whole infantry battalion with General Gulyakovym.
Kingdom of Kartli-Kakheti was experiencing exceptional difficulties. Sources of income dried up, people were unable to pay taxes. Ahtalskie mines are in decline.
Tuchkov and Tsitsianov in October 1801 managed to defeat the orders of the Ossetians, wielded by Tiflis, but the radical change of the situation, they do not have. Russian Forces housing is limited and scattered across the territory of Kartli-Kakheti
Georgian regular army "Morige" formed by Prince Tamaz Orbeliani


was very few.
Peter arrived in Tbilisi on January 16 1802 as "gain" to him came the 2nd Battalion of the Astrakhan regiment with six guns and two squadrons of Starodub Dragoon Regiment. The coronation took place on February 2 and only 23 Tsar Peter the head of the Joint Russian-Georgian troops defeated the Avar Khan by the river Iori.
The next issue was the elimination of Jaro-Balakan Khanate. By September 1802 the number of trained and trained Georgian troops, "Morige" has reached 6000, and Peter took power with the support of the Russian artillery in the assault. Local Lezghins suffered a complete defeat, and in January 1803 the area was annexed to Georgia. When fighting enemies outside, Peter had to do not forget about the enemies within the country. Purpose and the coronation of Peter displeased most of the nobles, who felt that Peter Bagration has no legal
rights to the throne. Since after the defeat of the rebellion of Queen Darejan its leaders were either arrested and deported or fled, another conspiracy masterminded become princes Dadiani. However, this time the plot was discovered in the early stages, and crushed with the exponential brutality, most of the conspirators, among whom were noble princes Diasamidze, were executed in 1803. The defeat of the plot gave Peter a pretext for the invasion of Mingrelia in 1804.
Meanwhile, activities and Tuchkova Tsitsianov led to a reduction of tensions in society. Tsitsianov using contradictions in the clan sons Heraclius achieved prince Vakhtang delivery in January 1802. The decree of Tsar Peter Vakhtang was pardoned, but together with his retinue was sent to Persia.
In consequence Vakhtang has participated in the war with Georgia on the side of Persia.
In 1801, with the assistance of Tuchkova in Tiflis was convened first meeting of the nobility, the first leader of which he was the same insistence Garsevan Chavchavadze.


Respectful of local customs and traditions, and Tuchkov Tsitsianov able to overcome the anti-Russian Georgian elite and streamlining fiscal policy in 1802 and 1803's judicial reform to raise the prestige of the new administration and a new dynasty among the people.
In 1803, it was built by Georgian Military Road. In 1802 he was made the codification of the Georgian law, in the same year opened the first high school for children of nobles, and in early 1803, and the first public school. In 1802, the postal service was established, and at the end of the year in Tbilisi was opened the first public theater.
However, the contradictions based on the personal conflict between the king and the prince Bargationi Peter Paul Tsitsianov led to the request of the Georgian King Peter I to the Emperor Alexander hjccbqcrjve revocation Tsitsianov, which was granted in 1804 the appointment of the Commander in Chief Tsitsianov Russian troops in the Caucasus.
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