# Kingdom of Kartli-Kakheti > Georgian kingdom **Wikidata**: [Q282475](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q282475) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_of_Kartli-Kakheti) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kingdom-of-kartli-kakheti ## Summary The Kingdom of Kartli-Kakheti was a historical Georgian kingdom that existed from 1762 until its dissolution on January 1, 1801. It was a sovereign state formed by the unification of two earlier eastern Georgian monarchies, the Kingdom of Kartli and the Kingdom of Kakheti. The kingdom was succeeded by the Georgia Governorate of the Russian Empire. ## Key Facts - **Entity Type:** Sovereign state, historical country. - **Inception:** January 1, 1762. - **Dissolution:** January 1, 1801. - **Alternative Names:** Kingdom of Kartli and Kakheti, Kartli-Kakheti. - **Preceded By:** Kingdom of Kartli (inception 1466) and Kingdom of Kakheti (inception 1465). - **Succeeded By:** Georgia Governorate (a governorate of the Russian Empire, established January 1, 1801). - **Location Coordinates:** Latitude 41.7225, Longitude 44.7925. - **Historical Geography:** Encompassed the capital city of Tbilisi and the city of Telavi. ## FAQs **When was the Kingdom of Kartli-Kakheti active?** The Kingdom of Kartli-Kakheti was founded in 1762 and was dissolved on January 1, 1801. **What kingdoms preceded the Kingdom of Kartli-Kakheti?** It was preceded by two late medieval monarchies in the Caucasus: the Kingdom of Kartli and the Kingdom of Kakheti. **What country succeeded the Kingdom of Kartli-Kakheti?** The kingdom was succeeded by the Georgia Governorate, which was a governorate established within the Russian Empire on January 1, 1801. **What were the capital and major cities of the Kingdom?** The capital and largest city within the kingdom's territory was Tbilisi. Another significant city in the region was Telavi, located in the Kakheti region. **Which historical figures were citizens of the Kingdom of Kartli-Kakheti?** Notable historical citizens included King Heraclius II, the Bagratid royal princes (such as Vakhushti of Kartli and Ilia of Georgia), the Armenian poet and musician Sayat-Nova, and the Iranian painter Hovnatan Hovnatanian. ## Why It Matters The Kingdom of Kartli-Kakheti represents a crucial, albeit brief, period of geopolitical consolidation in the Caucasus prior to the regional dominance of the Russian Empire. By merging the neighboring realms of Kartli and Kakheti in 1762, the kingdom briefly centralized eastern Georgian authority under figures like King Heraclius II. The kingdom's dissolution in 1801 marked a pivotal turning point in regional history. Its absorption directly into the Russian Empire as the Georgia Governorate ended centuries of Georgian monarchic rule and reshaped the political landscape of the South Caucasus. This incorporation shifted the region away from Iranian and Ottoman spheres of influence and laid the administrative groundwork for modern Georgian statehood. ## Notable For - Serving as the final sovereign Georgian kingdom prior to the absorption of the region into the Russian Empire. - Unifying the distinct historical territories of Kartli and Kakheti into a single state. - Encompassing Tbilisi, the historical capital of Georgia, whose lineage of ruling powers seamlessly transitioned from the Kingdom of Kartli-Kakheti to the Russian Empire and eventually to the modern Republic of Georgia. - Existing during a dynamic cultural period that produced notable cross-cultural figures, such as the Iranian painter Hovnatan Hovnatanian and the Armenian musician Sayat-Nova. ## Body ### History and Formation The Kingdom of Kartli-Kakheti was officially established in 1762. It was formed by the political unification of two preceding late medieval monarchies in the Caucasus: the Kingdom of Kartli (which existed from 1466) and the Kingdom of Kakheti (which existed from 1465). The kingdom's lifespan extended until January 1, 1801, at which point it was dissolved. Upon its dissolution, the territory was reorganized into the Georgia Governorate, officially making it a governed province of the Russian Empire starting on January 1, 1801. ### Geography and Administration Geographically, the kingdom was centered in the eastern Caucasus, with coordinates approximating latitude 41.7225 and longitude 44.7925. The primary administrative and demographic center was Tbilisi, which historically served as the capital and largest city of the region. Historical records note that Tbilisi was governed by figures such as the royal prince Vakhushti of Kartli during the kingdom's era. Telavi, a city in the Kakheti region, was another prominent urban center within the kingdom's borders. The geopolitical footprint of the kingdom extended into the broader region, sharing historical ties and administrative overlaps with various communities in the South Caucasus. Historical data connects the sovereignty of Kartli-Kakheti to the historical governance of various settlements, including modern-day Armenian communities such as Haghpat and Vanadzor, and Georgian territories like Marabda. ### Notable Historical Citizens The Kingdom of Kartli-Kakheti was home to several prominent historical figures across royalty, arts, and literature: * **Heraclius II of Georgia:** A Georgian monarch who ruled as King of Kakheti from 1744 to 1762, and subsequently as the King of Kartli and Kakheti from 1762 to 1798, overseeing the kingdom's unification. * **Prince Vakhtang-Almaskhan of Georgia:** A royal prince and son of Heraclius II. * **Ilia of Georgia:** A Georgian prince who lived from 1790 to 1854, holding roles as a military commander and religious leader. * **Bagrat of Georgia & Prince Ioane of Georgia:** Sons of George XII of Georgia. Prince Ioane was notably a writer and author who lived from 1768 to 1830. * **Sayat-Nova:** An Armenian musician and poet (1712–1795) who was a citizen of the kingdom. * **Hovnatan Hovnatanian:** An Iranian painter (1730-1801) who held citizenship within the kingdom. * **Ioane Ialghuzidze:** A Georgian and Ossetian author and writer (1775-1830) who resided in the kingdom. * **Vakhushti of Kartli:** A Georgian royal prince who served as the Governor of Tbilisi and was an academic and Russian general. ### Royal Connections The ruling class of the kingdom was deeply tied to broader regional dynasties. A key connected entity is the House of Mukhrani, a Georgian princely family that served as a branch of the Bagrationi dynasty. The broader historical governance of the region traces the lineage of authority back through the Kingdom of Kartli-Kakheti to the unified Kingdom of Georgia (1008–1466), highlighting the kingdom's role as a bridge between medieval and modern regional history. ## References 1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013