Georgia (Second Unification of Georgia)

Georgia

First Kingdom

Georgia was First united by King Bagrat III in XI Century. In a following Century Georgia became one of the strongest nations under the guidance of wise King David IV and late King Tamar. Georgia's golden age ended with death of King Giorgi IV, his sister, Rusudan proved to be an Incapable leader and Georgia faced a setback after a setback starting by Invasion of Jalal ad-Din(1225) and then Mongol Conquest, during this period Georgia fragmented in two. Georgia regained its former strength under energetic ruler Giorgi V The Brilliant, who reunited Georgia and drove Mongols out, but this Upheaval proved to temporary, 50 years after King Giorgi's Death, Came Timur the Conqueror, who brought pain and destruction to Georgia, he mercilessly killed anyone in his path. Timur's conquests proved to be a fatal blow to Georgian Unity. Half a Century after Timur's death, Rebellious Viceroy of Imereti Bagrat, and his Ally, Qvarqvare Jaqeli, Atabeg of Samtskhe defeated king Giorgi VIII, and by 1490, Georgia officially ceased to exist.

Re-unification and Second KIngdom

in Early XVII Century, King of Imereti, Giorgi III, Unified Kingdom of Imereti and Dealt with his rival dukes. His Energetic son Alexander III managed to secure a high degree of autonomy from Ottomans, he also defeated Circassian Chiefs and created the Princedom of Circassia. Having secured his independence, Alexander's ambition to Unify Georgia become possible. Kingdom of Kartli was ruled by Rostom, a Persianized Bagrationi, a Muslim. Even though Rostom was a great leader, his religion isolated him from his vassals, who sought to get rid of him. Alexander used this feud to his advantage and he began conspiring with Kartlian nobility. On 28 July 1646, Rostom was found dead, and since he hadn't designated a proper heir, Katlian nobles invited Alexander. Alexander agreed and on 1 August 1646, he was crowned King Alexander II of all Georgia.

Battle of Tabakhmela

Battle of Tabakhmela
Part of Reunification of Georgia
Location Tabakhmela Result Decisive Georgian Victory Territorial changes Georgia consolidates it's rule over Kartli
Belligerents
Kingdom of Georgia	Safavid Persia
Commanders and leaders
Alexander II of Georgia	Jahangir
Strength
25,000-50,000	150,000-200,000
Casualties and losses
very few	almost the entire army

News of Unification of Georgia reached the Safavid court. They realized that if they didn't take action they would lose foothold in Transcaucasia, they decided to depose Alexander and place Kartli under direct Persian rule. A certain commander known as Jahangir was put in command of a Large Qizilbash army. Jahangir Marched slowly towards Caucasus. Near Erivan he was joined by Governors of Erivan, Ganja and Qarabagh, and together they continued North. Alexander knew that he could face such a big coalition, so he sent small cavalry divisions to pillage Erivan and Ganja. Near border of Georgia, Governors were notified that their lands were being attacked and they had to abandon the campaign. Now it was Jahangir and Governor of Qarabagh versus Alexander. In order to slow down his opponents, Alexander employed The Scorched Earth tactic. Constant partisan attacks and lack of supplies broke the Safavid fighting spirit, and by the time they had reached Tbilisi, the morale had gone down the drain. Alexander and his forces were entrenched near Tabakhmela, while Jahangir set up a camp south of Tbilisi. On September 18, Early in the Morning, while Qizilbash were still asleep, a small Georgian cavalry regiment swept through the Persian camp. Once Persians realized what was going on, they went on to chase the Georgians, who feigned retreat. Georgians forced the Persians to Chase them uphill to Tabakhmela, and once the unsuspecting Persians reached top of the hill, They got shot down by Georgian Musketeers. Governor of Qarabagh was killed in action, causing his men to panic and retreat downhill, stamping their comrades in process. Jahangir, who was not involved in the battle (and escaped unscathed), only managed to save a small portion of his, realizing that battle was over, he retreated towards Kakheti. Alexandre's Cavalry routed the remainder of Qarabagh army, slaughtering many and taking even more hostages.

Aftermath

Jahangir retreated to Kakheti, where he demanded Kakhetian King's assistance, upon the refusal, Jahangir murdered king Teimuraz I and fortified himself in Gremi. At the request of Kakhetian nobles, Alexandre invaded Kakheti and Murdered Jahangir. He then proceeded to Annex rightful Georgian lands from Safavids. Safavids were planing another Invasion but Their plans were thwarted by Mughal Invasion. Peace treaty was signed with Georgia, recognizing their gains.

Subjugation of North Caucasians.

by 1650 Georgia was a proper European country. Close ties with Poland helped reconnect with the rest of Europe. Finally free from Turco-Persian burden (De facto), Georgia was able focus on science, literature and art, Basically Georgia had entered Rennaisance. Frustrated Turks requested that North Caucasian tribes raid into Georgia. Kakheti was always targeted by various Mountainous tribes as it was closest to their home. It was impossible to Attack attack Laks and Avars directly, since crossing Caucasus with a giant army would be mission impossible, Only way to Attack them was through Kabardia, but Alexander was afraid of losing support of Circassian Chiefs who were vassals of his brother Mamuka. But in 1654 kabardins along with Ossetians invaded Mamuka's Domain. With Help from alexander, mamuka managed to conquer Kabardia and Ossetia. Vainakh Tribes offered treaty of friendship and non-aggression to Alexander, which he accepted. Later that year Alexander, along with Vainakh warriors attacked and Subjugated hostile Larks and Avars. Raids finally ended