Mamuka Imereti

Background

Mamuka was a son of George VII of Imereti by his wife Rodam, daughter of King George XI of Kartli.

Career

They blockaded the Imeretian capital Kutaisi, but did not dare to attack the citadel for fear of reaction from the Ottoman Empire and withdrew. They soon returned to the offensive and again marched against the king. Later, Mamuka was able to dispossess the Chijavadze family of the Sebeka fortress and other estates.

In 1741, Mamuka followed Alexander in his exile to Kartli, when the throne of Imereti was seized by their half-brother George IX in an Ottoman-sponsored coup.

Mamuka soon fled the turmoil in Kartli back to Imereti and Alexander was also able to resume his reign the same year. In 1746, his nobles were again in revolt and put Mamuka on the throne of Imereti.

In 1749, with the help of the Ottoman pasha of Akhaltsikhe, Alexander recovered the throne. He died in 1752, leaving his throne to his 17-year-old son Solomon I.

After Solomon was able to secure the throne, Mamuka fled to Akhaltsikhe and was inveigled by its pasha as his agent.

In 1766, they finally succeeded to put Mamuka"s son Teimuraz on the throne of Imereti, but Solomon staged a comeback in 1768.

Mamuka married in 1732 Darejan Dadiani, daughter of Bezhan Dadiani, Prince of Mingrelia. He had two sons:

Teimuraz (died c 1768), king of Imereti (1766–1768);

Giorgi (fl 1768).

Achievements

• Alexander won a victory at the battle of Chikhori, capturing Dadiani, but under the Ottoman pressure, the king had to restore him to Mingrelia and concede the districts of Sachilao and Samikelao in governorship to his alienated brother Mamuka.