Saakadze Giorgi

Saakadze Giorgi (approx. 1570–1629), Politician and military leader of no ble origin, born in Peli village, Geor- - gia. He was well versed in the military art. He embarked on the political arena in 1590s. He was the Mouravi (Superintendent) of Tbilisi (as of 1608), Tskhinvali and Dvaleti. His aim was strengthening of Georgia’s central governance and unification of the country, which aroused animosity of big feudal lords towards him. They conspired against him and in 1612 he was induced to seek shelter in Persia. G. Saakadze used to serve at the Royal Court of Shah Abbas I, where he exerted great influence on the surroundings of the Shah. With his active participation, Shah Abbas I, invaded India, Kandahar (1623) and Baghdad (1623). In 1625 G. Saakadze headed the popular rebellion against the Iranian domination that saved the population of East Georgia from physical extermination. In appreciation of great service he had rendered to his country, Georgian people granted him the title of Didi Mouravi (the Great Mouravi). His son Paata fell victim to the 1625 rebellion in Georgia. Shah Abbas I, who kept him hostage, ordered to behead Paata and send his severed head to his father in Georgia. Soon discord arose between King Teimuraz I and Giorgi Saakadze; the latter was defeated in the Bazaleti battle in 1626 and he had to escape to Turkey, where he was appointed the Superintendent of Konya Velayat.

G. Saakadze fought on the side of the Ottoman Empire against Persia. He pursued the same objective: to defeat Persia and liberate Georgia. However, he did not get any help from the Turks. On the order of Grand Vizier Khusrev-Pasha, G. Saakadze was captured, accused of treason and put to death. Russian writer A. Antonovskaya has masterfully depicted Giorgi Saakadze’s life in her novel The Great Mouravi.