Shams al-Din Eldiguz's invasion of Georgia
| Shams al-Din Eldiguz's invasion of Georgia | |||||
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| Part of the Georgian-Seljuk wars | |||||
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| Belligerents | |||||
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Seljuk Empire Eldiguzids Shah-Armens Saltukids Emirate of Maragha |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||
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Eldiguz Arslan Sökmen II Saltuk II As-Sunkur | George III | ||||
Shams al-Din Eldiguz's invasion of Georgia took place from 1163 to 1170. It was initiated by the atabegs of Azerbaijan,[1] as an immediate response to the Georgian demand of heavy tribute (Kharaj) from the emirs of Ganja and Baylaqan and massacre of the non-Christian population in Dvin.
Background
After the securing of Ani and defeat of the Saltukid-forces, in 1162, between July and August, the Georgians marched on Dvin , which was in the hands of the emirs of Bitlis and Erzerum. Georgians sacked the town and its non-Christian population was pillaged.
History
Shams al-Din Eldiguz, ruler of Azerbaijan embarked upon a campaign against Kingdom of Georgia in early 1163. The Seljukid Sultan, Arslan marching from Hamadan met Eldiguz in Nakhchavan. He was joined by the Shah-Armen Sökmen II, ruler of Ahlat, Saltuk II, ruler of Erzerum, As-Sunkur, ruler of Maragha, and many others. With an army of 50,000 troops they marched on Georgia.[2]
In 1163 Eldiguz attacked Mren (north of Dvin) where he burnt the fortress, with 4000 Christians in it. On 9 July, 1163 Seljuks inflicted a heavy defeat on Georgians. They penetrated into the fortress al-Krkri (Gyargyar) where a battle took place, where Georgians sustained a most ignominious defeat. George III was put to flight. Then Seljuks took the fortress of Gagi, laid waste as far as the region of Gagi and Gegharkunik, seized prisoners and booty, and then moved to Ani. In April, 1164 Georgians evacuated the town. Eldiguz arrived and gave Ani to the emir Shahanshah ibn Mahmud.
The Muslim rulers were jubilant, and they prepared for a new campaign. However, this time they were forestalled by George III, who marched into Arran at the beginning of 1166, occupied a region extending to Ganja, devastated the land and turn back with prisoners and booty. The struggle for Ani continued. For four long years Ani was attacked ceaselessly. The population was reduced to misery, the land was not tilled and the economy was dislocated. There seemed to be no end to the war between George III and atabeg Eldiguz. But the belligerents were exhausted to such an extent that Eldiguz proposed an armistice. George had no alternative but to make concessions. Eldiguz restored Ani to its former rulers, the Shaddadids, who became his vassals.