New Addition to Georgian Royal Family Expected in 2021: Joyful News for the Bagrationi Dynasty

1. Restoration of the Georgian Monarchy: In 888, Adarnase IV of Iberia restored the Georgian monarchy, which had been dormant since 580. This marked the beginning of the unified Kingdom of Georgia, which prospered from the 11th to the 13th century.
2. Consolidation of the Kingdom: Bagrat III, a descendant of Adarnase IV, consolidated his inheritance in Tao-Klarjeti and the Abkhazian Kingdom, largely due to the diplomacy and conquests of his foster-father David III of Tao.
3. Georgian Golden Age: The reigns of David IV the Builder (1089–1125) and Tamar the Great (1184–1213) are considered the Georgian Golden Age, during which the kingdom experienced significant cultural, economic, and military achievements.
4. Fragmentation and Russian Annexation: After the late 15th century, the kingdom fragmented into three breakaway kingdoms: Kartli, Kakheti, and Imereti. The Russian Empire later annexed these kingdoms, breaking the terms of the 1783 Treaty of Georgievsk.
5. Russian Imperial Noble Family: The Bagrationi dynasty persisted within the Russian Empire as an Imperial Russian noble family until the 1917 February Revolution. Some members relocated to Western Europe, while others repatriated after Georgia regained independence in 1991.
6. Modern Developments: In recent times, the Bagrationi family has seen significant events, such as the 2009 wedding of Princess Ana to Prince Davit Bagrationi-Mukhraneli, which united the Gruzinsky and Mukhrani branches of the royal family. This event drew attention to the ongoing debate over which branch has the strongest hereditary right to the throne.

These key events highlight the significant milestones in the history of the Bagrationi dynasty, from the restoration of the monarchy to the modern-day struggles over succession and royal claims.

1. Unification of Georgia: David IV managed to reunite the country after it had been fragmented into several smaller kingdoms. He successfully drove the Seljuk Turks out of Georgia and brought most of the lands of the Caucasus under Georgian control.
2. Military Campaigns: David IV launched a series of military campaigns to regain lost territories and defeat the Seljuk Turks. He was particularly successful in the Battle of Didgori in 1121, which led to the liberation of Tbilisi and the final unification of Georgia.
3. Administrative Reforms: David IV implemented significant administrative reforms, including the creation of a well-organized intelligence network called mstovrebi. He also reorganized the army and administration to strengthen central power.
4. Cultural and Educational Initiatives: David IV was a patron of education and culture. He supported the establishment of schools and academies, such as Gelati Academy, which became a major center of learning in the region.
5. Charitable Activities: David IV was known for his charitable work, particularly in building hospitals for the sick and providing for their needs. He also engaged in other charitable activities, such as providing alms and supporting the poor.
6. International Relations: David IV maintained good relations with the Byzantine Empire and the Crusaders, forming alliances to challenge the Seljuk Turks from both sides. He also received the title “The Builder” for his achievements.

These achievements have made David IV the Builder a legendary figure in Georgian history, celebrated for his military prowess, administrative reforms, and cultural and charitable initiatives.

1. Guerilla Warfare: David IV initially used guerrilla tactics to harass the Seljuk Turks, taking advantage of his smaller army size by launching constant small-scale attacks. This strategy successfully made the Turks consider him a serious threat and created an opportunity for him to regain lost territories.
2. Discipline and Training: David IV reorganized the Georgian army, establishing a harsh discipline among soldiers and training them to be more effective. This increased the military potential of the royal army and allowed it to compete with the Seljuk forces.
3. Alliances and Diplomacy: David IV formed alliances with the Crusaders and other Christian forces, leveraging these connections to gain support and resources for his military campaigns. He also maintained good relations with the Byzantine Empire and the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem, which helped to counterbalance the Seljuk threat.
4. Reorganization of the Army: David IV created a personal guard, the monaspa, which was directly responsible to him. He also divided the army into garrisons for town and fortress protection and a basic army that campaigned constantly. This reorganization allowed for more effective mobilization and discipline within the military.
5. Adaptability and Flexibility: David IV adapted his strategies to suit the changing circumstances of the battlefield. For example, he initially paid tributes to the Seljuks but later refused to do so, switching to a more aggressive campaign. He also made connections with the Kipchaks, a group of Turkish tribes, to gain their support in his military endeavors.
6. Leadership and Personal Involvement: David IV personally led his troops in battles, demonstrating his bravery and inspiring his soldiers. His leadership and involvement in battles helped to boost morale and increase the effectiveness of his military campaigns.

By combining these strategies, David IV was able to successfully drive out the Seljuk Turks, reunify Georgia, and establish a strong and powerful kingdom that would endure for centuries.

1. Restoration of the Georgian Monarchy: In 888, Adarnase IV of Iberia restored the Georgian monarchy, which had been dormant since 580. This marked the beginning of the unified Kingdom of Georgia, which prospered from the 11th to the 13th century.
2. Consolidation of the Kingdom: Bagrat III, a descendant of Adarnase IV, consolidated his inheritance in Tao-Klarjeti and the Abkhazian Kingdom, largely due to the diplomacy and conquests of his foster-father David III of Tao.
3. Georgian Golden Age: The reigns of David IV the Builder (1089–1125) and Tamar the Great (1184–1213) are considered the Georgian Golden Age, during which the kingdom experienced significant cultural, economic, and military achievements.
4. Fragmentation and Russian Annexation: After the late 15th century, the kingdom fragmented into three breakaway kingdoms: Kartli, Kakheti, and Imereti. The Russian Empire later annexed these kingdoms, breaking the terms of the 1783 Treaty of Georgievsk.
5. Russian Imperial Noble Family: The Bagrationi dynasty persisted within the Russian Empire as an Imperial Russian noble family until the 1917 February Revolution. Some members relocated to Western Europe, while others repatriated after Georgia regained independence in 1991.
6. Modern Developments: In recent times, the Bagrationi family has seen significant events, such as the 2009 wedding of Princess Ana to Prince Davit Bagrationi-Mukhraneli, which united the Gruzinsky and Mukhrani branches of the royal family. This event drew attention to the ongoing debate over which branch has the strongest hereditary right to the throne.

These key events highlight the significant milestones in the history of the Bagrationi dynasty, from the restoration of the monarchy to the modern-day struggles over succession and royal claims.

1. Founding of the House of Mukhrani: The House of Mukhrani was founded in the 16th century by Bagrat I of Mukhrani, who received the domain of Mukhrani in the Kingdom of Kartli. This marked the beginning of a new branch of the Bagrationi dynasty, which would go on to play a significant role in Georgian history.
2. Royal Lineage: The Bagration-Mukhransky family is a direct descendant of the royal line of Kartli-Kakheti, making them the most senior genealogical line of the Bagrationi dynasty. They have been recognized as the Royal House of Georgia since 1957, with David Bagration of Mukhrani serving as the head of the house since 2008.
3. Military and Diplomatic Achievements: The family has been involved in various military and diplomatic endeavors throughout history. For example, Prince Irakli Bagration of Mukhrani played a prominent role in Georgian political emigration circles and was a key figure in the Union of Georgian Traditionalists, which fought to restore Georgia’s sovereignty from the USSR.
4. Cultural and Educational Initiatives: The Bagration-Mukhransky family has been involved in promoting Georgian culture and education. Prince Juan Bagration-Mukhransky is the founder of the Georgian Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting Georgian culture.
5. Royal Marriages and Succession: The family has been involved in several significant royal marriages and succession events. For example, the marriage between Prince Nugzar Gruzinsky and Princess Anna Bagration-Gruzinsky resolved the rivalry for the claim to the throne, ensuring the continuation of the royal line.

These historical events and achievements highlight the significant role the Bagration-Mukhransky family has played in shaping Georgian history and culture.