Abstract:
The following work focuses on the events taking place in the Dusheti region (mazra) in June-July 1918. The paper also touches upon the contribution of the armed forces of the Democratic Republic (under Valiko Jugheli’s leadership) and the Stepantsminda soldiers. Their joint battles were a good example of the struggle for sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia.
The declaration of independence by the National Council on May 26, 1918 was followed by anti-government demonstrations. Among them the revolt in Dusheti region (mazra) was caused by several circumstances. The foremost reason was the territorial proximity of the region to Tbilisi and the North Caucasus from where the rebels sought assistance. Moreover, the part of londowners stated on the spot and that made a good ground for Bolshevik agitation. The peasant units were established and supplied. Active coordination work was carried out by the Bolshevik party and the soldiers which returned from the front. Successful completion of the uprising did neither damage any landowner nor government officials, though it was destroying the idea of national and independent state.
The overthrow of the democratic republic changed entire history of Georgia. During the rebellion, despite the short period of independence, sovereignty and democratic values became the main concern of regular soldiers and ordinary citizens. The battle of Stepantsminda led by Simon Shaduri, who at the most critical moment stood by the Republic and resisted Bolshevik squads, is fascinating. Apart from combating, he tried to explain to the rebels that going against the government was illegal. It is noteworthy that the combatants who fought with Valiko Jugheli in Dusheti region (mazra) in 1918, subsequently took an active part in the crackdown of Bolshevik demonstrations in Tskhinvali in 1920.
The Bolshevik revolt of 1918 in Dusheti region ended with a complete defeat and the government forces managed to fully restore the jurisdiction of Georgia in the territory of Dusheti and protected sovereignty and unity.
