Georgian–Mongolian treaty of 1239

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Treaty of 1239
Georgian–Mongolian treaty of 1239
Signed1239
LocationSarai, Golden Horde
ConditionRusudan had to accept the sovereignty of the Golden Horde.
Signatories
Parties
LanguageMongolian (?)

In 1235–1236, Mongol forces, unlike their first raid in 1221, appeared with the sole purpose of conquest and occupation of Kingdom of Georgia and easily overran the already devastated kingdom.[1] Queen Rusudan fled to the security of western Georgia, while the nobles secluded themselves in their fortresses.

During 1238, the Mongols under general

Tiflis surrendered after Queen Rusudan had fled, followed by the destruction of Ani and the surrender of Kars.[2]

Finally, after this catastrophic campaign, the nobles of Armenia and Georgia surrended to the Mongols, agreeing to pay tribute, and to provide their cavalry for Mongol military campaigns.[4] On Ivane I Jaqeli’s advice, Rusudan sent four envoys; her amirspasalar (commander-in-chief) and atabeg (tutor) Avag Zakarian, the mandaturtukhutsesi (grand master of ceremonies) Shahnshah Zakarian], the msakhurtukhutsesi (majordomo) Vahram Gageli and Eristavi (duke) of Hereti Shota Kupri), to negotiate surrender to Chaghatai. The Mongol leader received the envoys graciously and released Georgian prisoners.[5]

The Armenian Shahnshah Zakarian, mandaturtukhutsesi (grand master of ceremonies) at the Georgian court, participated to the negociations.

To ensure her personal immunity, Rusudan set off with Arsen,

Chqondidi and mtsignobartukhutsesi (chancellor), on the long trek to Batu Khan’s capital on the Volga and peace treaty was signed on following terms:[6]

Chormaqan agreed to the terms of the redition, and left a commander named Qara Buqa in charge of dismantling all fortresses.[4]

References

  1. ^ a b c McDaniel, Ryan James (2005). THE MONGOL INVASIONS OF THE NEAR EAST (PDF). San Jose State University. pp. 125–135. They had been unable to rebuild their defenses and remained incapable of launching an army against the new Mongol threat. The Mongols did not face a single army on the field of battle in the invasion of 1238. The entire campaign consisted of sieges of towns and the many small fortresses. Grigor says the Mongols took many cities in Armenia and Georgia and Kirakos adds that they were very successful against the castles of the region by employing various types of siege machinery and by attacking swiftly before the defenders could bring in supplies.
  2. ^ McDaniel, Ryan James (2005). THE MONGOL INVASIONS OF THE NEAR EAST (PDF). San Jose State University. p. 127. Awag was a compassionate ruler and to avoid further suffering of his subjects he shrewdly sent a messenger to Chormaqan saying he intended to surrender. (...) Chormaqan was delighted and ordered Toghta to escort Awag safely to Chormaqan's headquarters at Lake Sevan and to stop his attacks in the Kayan region. Awag surrendered in the name all of Georgia agreeing to pay tribute and to have his troops join the Mongol army.
  3. ^ a b McDaniel, Ryan James (2005). THE MONGOL INVASIONS OF THE NEAR EAST (PDF). San Jose State University. p. 127. The nobles of Armenia and Georgia surrendered and agreed to pay tribute and contribute their cavalry to the Mongol campaigns. Chormaqan agreed to the terms and returned to Mughan, leaving a commander, Qara Buqa, behind to dismantle the fortresses of the land.
  4. ^ McDaniel, Ryan James (2005). THE MONGOL INVASIONS OF THE NEAR EAST (PDF). San Jose State University. p. 126.
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