The Battle of Bakhtrioni

The aim of the Battle of Bakhtrioni (1660) was to capture the Bakhtrioni Fortress during the uprising of the people of Kakheti against the Persians.

Official historiography provides only a few details about this Battle. However, popular oral tradition preserved rich material about it. The attack on the Bakhtrioni Fortress, where the main Persian army of the Qizilbash (Kizilbash) was stationed, appears to have occurred at night, catching the enemy by surprise. At the same time, the insurgents also attacked the Qizilbash forces fortified within the walls of the Alaverdi Monastery. The numerous garrisons at both fortifications were decisively defeated, and this played an important role in the overall success of the uprising.

The highlanders of Kakheti - Tushetians, Pshavs, and Khevsurians - played a decisive role in the battle of Bakhtrioni. The people of the region still praise the heroes who took part in this battle.

Vazha-Pshavela dedicated his poem "Bakhtrioni" to this battle.

Literature: ა ს ა თ ი ა ნ ი  ნ., ბახტრიონის გმირული ეპოპეის 300 წლისთავის გამო, «მნათობი», 1959, № 8; ქართული ხალხური საისტორიო სიტყვიერება, ქს. სიხარულიძის გამოც., [ტ.] 1, თბ., 1961.

N. Asatiani