Ahmed Pasha’s Military Campaign in Georgia

In 1549, Ottoman Vizier Ahmed Pasha started a military campaign in Samtskhe-Saatabago.

Before launching his planned war against Persia, Ottoman Sultan Suleiman I (1520–66) decided to conquer Samtskhe-Saatabago. On August 25, under the command of Second Vizier Ahmed Pasha, an Ottoman army of 40,000 troops set out towards Georgia. On September 13, the enemy laid siege and used cannon barrages to conquer the fortress of Torthumi. Despite the steadfast resistance of the Georgians, the enemy was able to capture the fortress. Following this, they occupied Panaskert, Nikhakhi, Amirakhori, Akhchakala, Second Akhchakala, Talkhisi, the Livana Valley, and the Tao region - a total of 35 fortresses. The Ottomans destroyed 14 fortresses and put their garrison in 21 others. In the conquered territories, they established the sanjaks of Tortumi, Kiamkh, Akhchakala, and Livana.

Sources: იბრაჰიმ ფეჩევის ცნობები საქართველოსა და კავკასიის შესახებ, ს. ჯიქიას გამოც., თბ., 1964.

Literature: სვანაძე მ., საქართველო-ოსმალეთის ურთიერთობის ისტორიიდან XVI–XVII სს., თბ., 1971.

M. Svanidze