THE STRUGGLE OF THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE BAGRATIONI BRANCH OF THE MUKHRANBATONS FOR THE RETURN OF THE KARTLI THRONE IN THE 1730s AND 1810s

Abstract

World history remembers many bloody dramas of struggle between dynasties for the throne, and Georgia is no exception.

Although the principles of royal legitimacy were universally recognized and established (passing the throne from the father to the eldest son), this rule was often violated. Deviation from this norm was also considered "blasphemy" in Georgia, because Georgian kings have long been considered "Equal with God" [Antelava, 1991: 6]. However, the law did not always provide for the peaceful division of the throne between father and son or between brothers.

In the 30s and 40s of the 18th century, a fierce battle broke out between the Bagrationi dynasty of KartliMukhranbatons (descendants of Vakhtang VI and Jesse) and the KakhetianBagrationi dynasty (father and son Teimuraz II and Erekle II) to seize the royal throne of Kartli. The battle lasted until the 80s and ended with the victory of the Kakhetians.

Vakhtang VI and Bakar Batonishvili died in Russia and  they could not return to their homeland. PaataBatonishvili (in 1765) and Alexander Bakari (in 1781-82) tried to return the seized throne, but in vain.

The descendants of Vakhtang VI's brother and the next king of Kartli - Jesse (1714-1716; 1724-1727) also left for Iran and Russia, continued to work there and some of them even made  brilliant careers. One of them was the hero of the Battle of Borodino and Infantry General PetreBagrationi. He was the third generation of King Jesse. After Erekle's death and the establishment of Russian rule in Kartli-Kakheti, first Peter and then, after his death, his brother Alexander appealed to the rulers: Tormasov and asked for the return of the slaves, villages and property confiscated by Erekle, but again in vain.

Keywords: fight for the royal throne of Kartli, Vakhtang VI, Jesse, Erekle II, Teimuraz II, PaataBatonishvili, Alexander son of Bakari, Peter and Alexander Bagrations.