GIORGI IV LASHA AND HIGHLANDERS OF EASTERN GEORGIA

Abstract

In the beginning of the 13th century, during the period of Queen Tamar (1184-1210), the royal government had decided final solution of problem of the highlanders. That was a period when the cultural and political influence of Georgia was extended even in the Northern Caucasus. In such circumstances, the royal government could not tolerate religious or political disobedience within the country. Special arrangements ordered by Tamar were conducted in mountainous region of Eastern Georgia. Highlanders, now disturbed, rebelled. The Commander-in-Chief of Royal government Ivane Mkhargrdzeli successfully suppressed that uprising.George IV (1210-1223) changed her mother’s policy. He had special attitudes with highlanders. That facilitated the establishment of king’s cult in mountains, especially in the region of Pshavi. Giorgi Lasha was associated with St. George (Giorgi) himself. And he became even more popular among highlanders than his mother.