1554-1555 y. Muhimme Defters about Georgia

Abstract

One of the most important sources in studying Georgian history is the “Muhimme Defter”. The records kept in them contain many int­e­resting references, which is a novelty for Georgian historical lite­rature.

More than 260 volumes of these records are preserved in the Turkish archives. Most of them are in the Ottoman Archive of the

Presidential Archives Division in Istanbul. Documents are written in Ottoman writing. Their publication began in the 1970's with the acco­mpaniment of Latin transcription, however, only a small fraction of several volumes has been published so far.

Reporting to the “Muhimme Defter” kept in the archives of the Council of Ministers of Istanbul begins with 961 year (1553/54) of Hegira. This period coincides with the third siege of the Ottoman Sultan Suleiman I against Iran. The first records that concern Georgia are mainly the awarding of various individuals for their participation in the Nakhichevan and Oltisi attacks. It also reflects the struggle of the Georgian people against the Ottomans, the struggle in Ilgar and Kiamhis, the establishment of Ottoman rule in Georgian territories.

Translating, publishing, commenting on and publishing the “Muhimme Defters” of great importance for the study of many issues in the history of Georgia.