Kakhetian Uprising (1659)

Quick Facts: Who was Kakhetian Uprising (1659)?

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Kakhetian Uprising (1659)

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A major revolt in eastern Georgia against Safavid Persian political domination in 1659.

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Origins & Early Life

The Bakhtrioni uprising (Georgian: ბახტრიონის აჯანყება) was a general revolt in the eastern Georgian Kingdom of Kakheti against the political domination of Safavid Persia, in 1659. Despite the fact that the Persians were able to suppress the uprising later, they were forced to abandon plans to settle Georgia with the Qizilbash. In the first half of the 17th century, Kakhetian king Teimuraz I had conducted resistance against his Persian overlords, which culminated in the bloody and devastating years of the mid-1610s; after successfully repelling an expedition sent by Shah Abbas I, Kakheti was invaded once again by the Shah himself in 1616, much of its population massacred or deported. In the following years, Qizilbash lords were appointed as governors of Kakheti, while a large number of Qizilbash tribal folk were relocated to Georgia to strengthen the central control. In the early 1630s, the Persians tried to put Kakheti under control of the more submissive Kingdom of Kartli, led by Georgian prince Rostom, a convert to Islam.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

When such control had been installed, Teimuraz fled to Western Georgia. In the 1650s, the Persians implemented a policy of colonization of Kakheti by Qizilbash Turkoman tribes, for several reasons. One of these reasons was to repopulate this part of the province, while another was to keep an eye on the restless nobles. Yet another reason was because the Safavid possessions in Georgia were geographically close to the Daghestan province. From Daghestan, Lezgian marauders frequently organized raids into parts of the northwestern Safavid domains, including Safavid Georgia.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Lastly, it was also decided as a measure against Russia, which had increased its pressure on Daghestan (see also; Russo-Persian War of 1651–1653), a neighboring province of the Georgia province. The forced installation of the Qizilbash was the immediate motive for the uprising. Kakheti had been divided into two administrative regions: he south-eastern part was under the power of the beylerbey of Karabakh, the rest under that of Nakhchivan. Up to 80,000 Turkomans migrated to Kakheti. They started building a fortress at Bakhtrioni and transforming the ancient monastery of Alaverdi into one.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1616: 1616 Milestone — In the first half of the 17th century, Kakhetian king Teimuraz I had conducted resistance against his Persian overlords, which culminated in the bloody and devastating years of the mid-1610s; after successfully repelling an expedition sent by Shah Abbas I, Kakheti was invaded once again by the Shah himself in 1616, much of its population massacred or deported.
2. 1651: 1651 Milestone — Lastly, it was also decided as a measure against Russia, which had increased its pressure on Daghestan (see also; Russo-Persian War of 1651–1653), a neighboring province of the Georgia province.
3. 1659: 1659 Milestone — The Bakhtrioni uprising (Georgian: ბახტრიონის აჯანყება) was a general revolt in the eastern Georgian Kingdom of Kakheti against the political domination of Safavid Persia, in 1659.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Kakhetian Uprising (1659)

True or False: “The Bakhtrioni uprising was solely a conflict between the Georgian nobility and the Qizilbash settlers.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While noble families were key leaders, the revolt involved the majority of the population who were being evicted from their villages and farms by the incoming Turkoman groups.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Abaza Hasan Pasha — Historical peer (Died in 1659) (1659): Ottoman governor and Celali rebel who challenged the central government in the mid-17th century.
• Abel Tasman — Historical peer (Died in 1659) (1659): Dutch explorer famed for charting Tasmania and New Zealand for the VOC.
• Francis Beaumont — Historical peer (Died in 1616) (1616): A leading dramatist of the English Renaissance, renowned for his collaborations with John Fletcher.
• Inca Garcilaso de la Vega — Historical peer (Died in 1616) (1616): Chronicler of Inca history, blending indigenous culture with Spanish narrative.
• Gurgin Khan — Historical peer (Born in 1651) (1651): Georgian monarch who ruled Kartli, known for resisting Safavid influence and serving as a commander in Afghanistan.
• Jean-Baptiste de La Salle — Historical peer (Born in 1651) (1651): French priest and educational reformer, founder of the Christian Brothers.
• Arcangelo Corelli — Historical peer (Born in 1653) (1653): Pioneering Italian composer and violinist of the Baroque era.
• Artemisia Gentileschi — Historical peer (Died in 1653) (1653): Master Baroque painter, renowned for dramatic depictions of female strength and myth.

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