ON THE ISSUE - BESIKI, AMBASSADOR OF IRAN
Keywords:
Erekle II, Solomon I, Alexander Bakarisdze, Kartl-Kakheti, the Ottoman Empire, Iran, Kerim- Khan, Sultan, lawyer, Suleiman PashaAbstract
The relationship between Iran and the Ottoman Empire became increasingly tense in the second half of the 70s of the XVIII century. The posi-tion of King Erekle II should have been very valuable for Kerim-Khan before the war with the Ottoman Empire. Erekle II constantly tried to liberate Kartl-Kakheti from Iran's domination. King didn't trust Kerim-Khan who with great honor took care of Alexander Bakarisdze – a seeker of the throne of Kartli who had “escaped” from Russia. Khontkari (Sultan) sent his mercy and words of love to the king. Eventually King Erekle II supported Ottomans and even signed an agreement with them. Unfortunately, the agreement isn’t known to us.
It seems that King Solomon considered the Treaty of Kartl-Kakheti and the Ottoman Empire against himself and sent Bessarion Gabashvili to Iran with diplomatic mission.
His goal was to bring Prince Alexander to Imereti, to organize the rebellion in Kartli, to dethrone Erekle II and crown Alexander Bakarisdze. But with the help of flexible policy of King Erekle II, Kartl-Kakheti Kingdom was averted from impending danger.
