ერეკლე II-ის გატარებული ღონისძიებები "ლეკიანობის" აღსაკვეთად და მისი შედეგები (1735-1783 წწ.)

Abstract

Incursion of Dagestani mountaineers was a serious challenge for the 18th century East Georgia. Special term “Lekianoba” was used to denote Dagestani inroads in Georgia. It was tough task to stop these inroads just as taking hostages and seizure of their wealth were main source of income for the Leks (common term used in Georgia that denotes Dagestani mountaineers). Kings of Kartli and Kakheti – Teimuraz II and Erekle II were fighting against these inroads vigorously. But, after unification of Kartli and Kakheti in 1762 as united sole Kingdom, Erekle II confronted this problem more enthusiastically. As we see from primary sources, Erekle use to confront inroads from Dagestani mountaineers with more complex scheme and alongside with military activities used economic means as well. Issues of “Lekianoba” are discussed almost in all those works which deals with a history of the 18th century East Georgia. But, the main focus of those works are military actions and, generally, warfare. The economic measures that were used by Kartli-Kakheti kings for cessation of inroads of Dagestani mountaineers was also studied. But despite the interest over these problems, in the most cases, economic issues and, generally, details of peace policy of Erekle II were researched separately. Based on the materials preserved in the primary sources, alongside with military actions in 1760s Erekle II assigned modest salary to the lords of Dagestani mountaineers, hence it was a way to satisfy their economic needs. Complex approach was successful and much profit was gained from these measures, frequency of “Lekianoba” was significantly decreased. Erekle II was involved in war against the Ottoman Empire on the behalf of the Russian Empire, as a result of it all his success was obliterated. Under the Ottomans initiation inroads of Dagestani mountaineers reached its formal heights. Inroads of Dagestani mountaineers was decreased through establishment of specials military unit called “Patrol Army” in 1774. Alongside with these measures production of silver and copper were increased in Kartli-Kakheti Kingdom, also more manufacture type of “factories” were established that facilitated the increase of state revenue. From 1778 onwards Erekle II massively assigned salaries to Dagestani mountaineers. As we see from the documents, King established peaceful relations with Avar Nutsal and free countryside communities of Dagestan neighboring Kartli-Kakheti. To sum up, approximately 440 local Dagestani chieftains and, also their subjects were subsidized by Kartli-Kakheti Kingdom. As a result of these measures Kartli-Kakheti Kingdom created protection shield around its borders that included Western Dagestan and, partially, central mountainous part of the same region. Erekle II also granted free trade rights to Dagestani people in Kartli-Kakheti Kingdom. These measures increased their economic dependence on Georgia. These measures facilitated the establishment of peace. As we see from the examination of primary sources, after taking all these measures “Lekianoba” almost completely ceased to exist in Kartli-Kakheti Kingdom. Erekle frequently used to hire Dagestani mercenaries in this period, hence they were used to serve for Kartli-Kakheti Kingdom. This condition was maintained until summer 1783. Very soon after concluding the Treaty of Georgievsk Dagestani mountaineers resumed their inroads as a result of the Ottoman encouragement.