Lezgin Invasion of Georgia (1724)

The Lezgin invasion of Georgia of 1724 was a campaign by the Lezgin Bekdoms and Jar-Balakan in Kakheti during the political instability of the Safavid authority in the Caucasus due to the Lezgin campaign in Shirvan. The campaign followed the defeat of Constantine II of Kakheti by the Ottoman forces in Kartli in 1724. Constantine was Unable to return to Kakheti because of the Lezgin presence, Constantine withdrew toward Akhalgori. Lezgin forces subsequently ravaged parts of Kakheti and attacked Telavi together with forces from Jar-Balakan.

Background In the 1720s the collapse of Safavid authority and the Ottoman invasion of eastern Georgia created a period of political instability in Kartli and Kakheti. Constantine II, also known as Mahmad Quli Khan, had previously fought for control of Kartli and captured Tbilisi with the assistance of Lezgin forces of Haji Davud in May 1723. The Ottomans subsequently occupied Tbilisi and established their authority over much of eastern Georgia.

In 1724 Constantine continued his resistance to Ottoman rule. After campaigning against the Ottomans in Kartli, however, he was unable to return to Kakheti because Lezgin forces were operating in the region. According to the Georgian historical tradition recorded by Vakhushti Batonishvili, Constantine and his queen went to Akhalgori because he could no longer return to Kakheti due to the Lezgins.

Campaign The Lezgin incursions intensified during 1724 as the political authority of the Kakhetian government weakened. Georgian historiography describes the attacks of Dagestani groups on Kartli and Kakheti during this period as becoming increasingly organized. The term Lekianoba was subsequently used in Georgian historical writing for the recurring incursions of Dagestani groups into Georgia. The term "Leki" historically referred to the Lezgic-speaking people of southern Dagestan, although during the raiding period of the highlanders it was applied to all Dagestanis by Georgian writers,

The Lezgin forces took advantage of Constantine II's inability to return to Kakheti and ravaged parts of the kingdom. Their activity spread so much that Constantine was unable to move freely within his own territories.

The attackers subsequently moved against Telavi, one of the principal fortified settlements of Kakheti. the Lezgins attempted to take the fortress but had failed.

The failure of the attack demonstrated the difficulty faced by the Lezgin forces in capturing fortified Kakhetian settlements. Rather than maintaining a prolonged campaign against the fortified centres, Lezgin groups continued to conduct raids in the surrounding countryside.

Aftermath The campaign further weakened Constantine II's position in Kakheti. The king was forced to seek accommodation with the Lezgin groups operating in the region. Georgian historiography records that Constantine subsequently considered allowing Lezgin forces passage into Kartli in return for an end to their attacks on Kakheti.

The events of 1724–1725 formed part of the wider period of Lekianoba, during which Dagestani groups repeatedly raided eastern Georgia. These incursions were facilitated by the political fragmentation of Georgia and the wider struggle between the Ottoman and Safavid empires for control of the Caucasus.

Lezgin Invasion of Georgia (1724)

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