Grigor Mikeladze
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Prince (knyaz) Grigor Mikeladze | |
---|---|
Born | 1898 |
Died | 1955 |
Nationality | Imperial Russian/USSR, later Iranian |
Occupation | Aristocrat |
Prince (knyaz) Grigor Mikeladze (1898–1955) was born in Tbilisi, Georgia into a Georgian noble family, who are known from at least the 14th century, which was then a part of Imperial Russia. Grigori Mikeladze’s family belonged to the aristocratic and sophisticated circles of Russia before the Russian Revolution of 1917.[1]
Grigor’s father
Early years
Grigor Mikeladze attended the Imperial Russian Cavalry School in Tbilisi and joined the army.[2] Prince Grigor Semenovich Mikeladze emigrated from Russia to
Grigor Mikeladze was sent to Tabriz to fight the Simko Kurds who were fighting the Central Government in
Promotions
In 1930, by order of
Grigor Mikeladze served for years in the Iranian Army and rose through the ranks. Eventually, he was promoted to the rank of colonel, the highest rank a Christian foreigner could achieve in the Iranian Army.
For safety's sake
On September 16, 1941, the Soviet and the British troops passed the Iranian borders and occupied Iran. By the request of Hasan Arfa and order of Reza Shah, Colonel Mikeladze was transferred to Isfahan for his safety. The reason for his transfer was that the Russians occupying Iran could arrest Colonel Mikeladze and execute him on the pretext of being a deserter from the Russian army two decades ago.[5]
In 1951, when
Life outside of duty
Prince Grigor married a Georgian belle by the name of Yelena (Lola) KhanPira (1900–1932). He had four daughters, Irina Mikeladze, Pariani (1925–1987), Moora Mikeladze, Parsa (1927–2008), Eya Mikeladze, Toossi (1929- ) and Etery Mikeladze, Shartooni (1920–1957).
Grigor's death
Grigor Mikeladze died of a heart attack in 1955. For all his services to the country the Iranian Army provided Colonel Mikeladze a full military ceremony with horse-drawn carriages and cannons. He was buried with full military honor. Both Grigor and Yelena Mikeladze (Khan Pira) are buried in Doulab Cemetery, the Christian cemetery which is in a beautiful garden shaded by big trees in the south of Tehran.
References
- ^ a b Toumanoff, Cyril (1967). Studies in Christian Caucasian History, p. 270. Georgetown University Press.
- ^ Bagrationi, Ioane (1768-1830). Mikeladze (Princes of Imereti). The Brief Description of the Georgian Noble Houses. Retrieved on 2008-06-17.
- ^ "Under Five Shahs", by General Hasan Arfa, William Morrow & Co., New York, 1965, pp. 229.
- ^ "Under Five Shahs”, by General Hasan Arfa, William Morrow & Co., New York, 1965, p. 125.
- ^ "Under Five Shahs”, by General Hassan Arfa, William Morrow & Co., New York, 1965, p. 220-221.