Egarslan Bakurtsikheli

Egarslan Bakurtsikheli (Georgian: ეგარსლან ბაკურციხელი; Egarslan of Bakhurtsikhe) was a 13th-century Georgian nobleman and politician, a powerful feudal lord and ruler of Kakheti.

Life

During the Mongol invasion of Georgia in 1236, Queen Rusudan of Georgia fled to western Georgia, leaving eastern Georgia in the hands of Atabeg (tutor) and Amirspasalar (commander-in-chief), Avag Mkhargrdzeli and Egarslan Bakurtsikheli, who held military posts in the frontier regions. They submitted to Mongols without serious opposition and agreed to pay tribute. Finally, in 1239 Georgia submitted to the Mongol Empire.

During this period (1245–1250), the two Davids (heirs of the Georgian crown) were absent at the court of the Great Khan in Karakorum. The Mongols divided the Kingdom of Georgia into eight districts (tumen). The first tumen, consisting of: Hereti, Kakheti and Kambechan came under Egarslan Bakurtsikheli, making him virtual head of Georgian nobility.

Georgian families obeyed his will, (even) the most high-ranking and honest mandaturtukhutsesi (Grand Master of Ceremonies) Shanshe, count Vahram of Gagi, and all the mtavaris (dukes). The Georgian metavaris parted with one other, but plunged into internecine wars. Almost immediately, noblemen met at Kokhtastavi in Javakheti to deal with anarchy brought about by Mongol oppression. They decided to place Bakurtsikheli at their head, the descendant of an impeccable family. After the conspiracy Bakurtsikheli had acquired so much power that other nobles feared he might seize the vacant throne. The chronicler describes him as "an estimable man and very versed in the science of war, [who] had such consideration that he only lacked the name of king. All the Georgians obeyed him as a monarch."

When the Georgians learned of the return of amirspasalar (commander-in-chief) Avag Mkhargrdzeli from Karakorum, chiefs and dignitaries went to meet him, along with Bakurtsikheli. When Avag approached him, he thought that Bakurtsikheli would dismount his horse and so would meet him. But he gave himself airs and did not deign to treat Avag according to his rank. Bakurtsikheli was expelled from the country, as the Mongols looked on approvingly.