The Battle of Nakhiduri [3] (Georgian: ნახიდურის ბრძოლა) was a battle between Simon I of the Kingdom of Kartli and the Ottoman forces of Cafer Pasha, beylerbey of Tabriz.[2][1]

Battle of Nakhiduri

16th century Ottoman miniature depicting Ottoman forces fighting against Simon I of Kartli
Date1599
Location
Nakhiduri, Kvemo Kartli, Georgia
Result Ottoman victory[1][2]
Belligerents
Ottoman Empire Kingdom of Kartli
Commanders and leaders
Cafer Pasha
Mustafa Pasha
Simon I of Kartli (POW)
Casualties and losses
Heavy Heavy

Background

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In 1598 Simon I of Kartli rebelled against the Ottoman Empire and ceased his annual tribute payments.[1] Simon I took back the fortress of Gori from the Ottomans after a nine month long siege, as a result the Ottomans feared that revolts would spread throughout other regions of the southern Caucasus.[1] The Ottomans immediately took action and launched a punitive expedition against Simon I.[2] The Ottomans sent Cafer Pasha, the beylerbey of Tabriz against the Georgians.[1]

Battle

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When King Simon I learnt that an Ottoman army was marching against him he went out to face them.[1] The Ottomans marched into the Algeti valley where a Georgian army gathered at Nakhiduri.[2] A major battle took place at Nakhiduri and King Simon I led the initial charge.[2] After five hours of fighting the Ottomans defeated the Georgians and the Georgians were forced to flee the battlefield.[2][1] During the pursuit of the Georgians by the Ottomans, King Simon I was captured by the Turks near the village of Partskhisi.[2]

Aftermath

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King Simon, who was taken captive, was brought to Istanbul and imprisoned in Yedikule.[2][1] During his imprisonment, he converted to Islam and took the name Mehmed Pasha. As a Muslim, he died in captivity.[4][1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Valiyev, Elvin. "XVIII. Yüzyılın İlk Yarısında Güney Kafkasya: Osmanlı, Safevi ve Rusya Kıskacında." Yayımlanmamış Yüksek Lisans Tezi), Selçuk Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü, Konya (2014). p.19.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Mikaberidze, Alexander. Historical Dictionary of Georgia. United Kingdom: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2015.
  3. ^ Mikaberidze, Alexander. Conflict and Conquest in the Islamic World: A Historical Encyclopedia [2 Volumes]: A Historical Encyclopedia. Ukraine: ABC-CLIO, 2011.
  4. ^ Mehmet, Ç. O. Ğ. "Gürcüler arasında islamiyet’in yayılması." Çukurova Üniversitesi İlahiyat Fakültesi Dergisi (ÇÜİFD) 7, no. 2 (2007): 39-54.