Feudal Relations in Western Georgia in the Second Half of the XVIIIth Century (the Kingdom of Imereti and Abkhazian Principality)

Abstract. The article describes the problems of feudal relations in Western Georgia based on the scientific literature and archival research. In particular, we investigate the relationship of the Kingdom of Imereti with the Abkhazian Principality in 1750–90-ies. The relationship of these two feudal units was quite unstable depending on how strong was the power the Kingdom of Imereti. In the case of a strong government of Imereti, the West Georgian principalities, including the Principality of Abkhazia, recognized the supremacy of the king of Imereti. When the power weakened, separatist inclination of feudal lords of Western Georgia intensified, which was actively supported by Ottoman Empire. We further analyze Georgia’s participation in the Russian-Turkish War in 1768–1774, the struggle of political units to get their interests reflected in the Treaty of Küçük Kaynarca in 1774 and in the Jassy Treaty in 1791. We touch upon the process of establishment of Russian military and political influence in the Caucasus and in Georgia in particular, as well as inconsistency between the representatives of the feudal nobility. The work is concluded by examining aspects of the diplomatic mission of the Kingdom of Imereti in Russia.

Keywords: Georgia, the Kingdom of Imereti, Abkhazian Principality, Mingrelian Principality, Russian Empire, Ottoman Empire, Solomon I, Shervashidze, Dadiani, Russian-Turkish War.