The Kipchaks were a Turkic people who lived in the vast territories of Central Asia and Eastern Europe in the Middle Ages.
In the XIII-XIV centuries, they migrated and settled in various regions, including Georgia. Their influence on Georgian history is significant:
1. Historical context
The Kipchaks, as part of the Turkic tribes, began to actively move westward as a result of various factors, including military conflicts and economic conditions.
The Union of Georgia and the Kipchak Polovtsians: the history of mutually beneficial cooperation
The history of relations between Georgia and the Kipchak Polovtsians, a nomadic people who founded a confederation in the southern Russian steppes in the 11th century, is a vivid example of a political strategy based on mutually beneficial cooperation. Early contacts: The first contacts between Georgians and Cumans-Kipchaks were recorded in the XI century. At the time when the Kipchak Polovtsians gained a foothold in the southern Russian steppes, Georgia faced the aggression of the Seljuks. The Georgian rulers saw the Kipchak Polovtsians as potential allies, appreciating their military skills, bravery and numbers. The Union under the leadership of David IV the Builder: The key role in the establishment of the union was played by the Georgian king David IV the Builder (1089-1125). He took a number of strategic steps to attract the Kipchak Polovtsians to his side.
David IV the Builder (also David the Restorer or David the Great; 1073 — January 24, 1125) was the king of Georgia in 1089-1125 from the Bagration dynasty
Diplomatic visits: David IV the Builder personally, together with Bishop George Chkondideli, his chief adviser, visited the headquarters of the Polovtsian Kipchaks, demonstrating the seriousness of his intentions. 2. Dynastic marriage: David married Gurandukht, the daughter of Khan Atrak, the Polovtsian-Kipchak ruler. This marriage was not only a political union, but also a symbol of friendship between peoples. 3. Invitation for permanent residence: David IV the Builder invited the Kipchak Cumans to move to Georgia, giving them land and the opportunity to become part of Georgian society. 4. Military reform: David IV the Builder included the Kipchak Polovtsians in the Georgian army. He rearmed in the Georgian manner, created full-fledged combat units under his direct control. Results of the union: The alliance with the Kipchak Polovtsians allowed David IV the Builder to: * ** Strengthen the defense:** The Kipchak Polovtsians, known for their belligerence, have become an important part of the Georgian army, contributing to the strengthening of its combat power. * Strengthen ties with other nations: David IV the Builder became a mediator in the conclusion of peace between the Kipchak Polovtsians and the Alans. * Weaken the influence of the Seljuks: The alliance with the Kipchak Polovtsians weakened the Seljuks, who were the main enemy of Georgia at that time.
2. Interaction with the Georgian Kingdom
The Kipchaks began to contact Georgian principalities such as Imereti and Kartli. These interactions were both peaceful and military. The Kipchaks served as mercenaries in the Georgian armies, and also sometimes opposed the Georgian rulers.
The Kipchaks often participated in various military conflicts in the Caucasus. They were known for their military might and riding skills, which made them valuable allies and dangerous opponents. In some cases, they fought on the side of the Georgian princes against external enemies such as the Mongols and Persians.
In the XII-XIII centuries, the Georgian kingdom was going through a difficult period marked by both internal contradictions and external threats. During this period, Kipchak warriors, known to Georgians as «nakivchakari», played a key role in the formation of Georgia’s military power.
In 1176, Kipchak Kubasar was appointed Amirspalasar (supreme commander-in-chief) of the Georgians. The Kipchaks, who converted to Christianity and integrated into Georgian society, became loyal servants of the Georgian crown, significantly differing from the mercenary Georgian feudal lords. Their dedication and military talents allowed them to quickly climb the career ladder and become the new military elite. During the reign of Tsar George III (1156-1184), the Nakivchakari became an important pillar of the Georgian army, ensuring its power and stability.
George III or Giorgi III (died March 27, 1184) was the king of Georgia (1156-1184) of the Bagration dynasty
However, the rapid growth of the influence of the Nakivchakari caused alarm among the traditional Georgian aristocracy, who saw them as a threat to their power. This led to the emergence of a strong opposition, which sought to limit the influence of the Kipchak warriors. Queen Tamara (1184-1213), in an effort to maintain the balance of power and appease the opposition, carried out a number of reforms, which resulted in the resignation of a significant part of the high-ranking «nakivchakari». Including Kubasara, who, by the way, was her mentor.
Despite this, Tamara and her successor George IV (1213-1223) continued to use Kipchak warriors, hiring them to serve as mercenaries. These new Kipchaks, dubbed «Kivchakni Akhalni», often formed whole detachments, possibly numbering tens of thousands of people. However, not all Kipchaks found a place in the Georgian army. Unable to serve the crown, some of them moved to the city of Ganja, where they created gangs of looters. This forced the Georgian troops to carry out a series of punitive operations, which led to the defeat of the gangs and their dispersion. Despite these conflicts, the Kipchaks continued to play an important role in the Georgian army. However, some of the Kipchak detachments sided with the Khorezm ruler Jalal al-Din, who participated in the campaign against Georgia in 1225, which greatly contributed to his victory.
During the Mongol invasion of Georgia in the late 1230s, the Kipchaks found themselves on opposite sides of the conflict. Some of the Kipchaks fought as part of the Georgian troops, and some defected to the Mongols. As a result, most of the Kipchaks integrated into the Mongol horde, losing their former identity. Thus, the Kipchaks played a controversial but important role in the history of Georgia. On the one hand, they were a key element in the formation of the military power of the Georgian Kingdom, on the other hand, their rapid growth caused conflict with the traditional Georgian aristocracy.
The Marriage of Tamara and Yuri: Politics and Love in Medieval Georgia
In 1185, Georgia was on the verge of significant changes. The death of Tsar George IV left a power vacuum to be filled by his daughter, Tsarina Tamara. At this crucial moment, when the country needed stability and support, the State Council (darbazi) raised the question of choosing a husband for the young ruler. ### The candidacy of the groom An important moment in this process was the statement of the nobleman of Polovtsian origin Abul-Asan. He nominated Tsarevich Yuri (his grandmother was the daughter of Polovtsian Khan Aepa), the son of Russian Grand Duke Andrei Bogolyubsky. Yuri, being still a minor, was in a difficult situation: his uncle Savalat threatened him, and he was forced to seek refuge in foreign lands. At that time, he lived at the court of the Kipchak king Sevenge, which added intrigue to his candidacy. It should be noted that Tamara’s aunt, Tsarevna Rusudan, who was at one time the wife of Prince Izyaslav Mstislavich of Kiev, also influenced the choice of the groom. This kinship with Russia could become an important political alliance for Georgia. #### Yuri’s arrival in Georgia, the merchant Zankan Zorababeli went to the distant lands of the Polovtsians and brought Prince Yuri with him. The descriptions of the young man sound very admirable: he is described as «valiant, perfect in build and pleasant to contemplate.» This highlights not only his physical attractiveness, but also the high qualities that could make him a worthy spouse for the queen. Yuri arrived in Georgia at the end of 1185, and his meeting with Tamara became an important event. However, according to I. A. Javakhishvili, the tsarina was not enthusiastic about the marriage. She initially refused to marry, stating that she did not want to get married. This reluctance could have been caused by both personal ambitions and a desire to maintain independence in governing the country.
Ivan Alexandrovich Javakhishvili, in pre—revolutionary sources — Prince Ivan Alexandrovich Javakhishvili (April 11 [23], 1876, Tiflis — November 18, 1940, Tbilisi) was a Georgian and Soviet historian, academician of the USSR Academy of Sciences (1939), one of the founders of Tbilisi University, which now bears his name
Wedding After the trials, which probably included testing not only physical strength, but also the mind, Yuri was recognized as worthy. As a result, a magnificent wedding took place, which became a symbol of the new union between Georgia and Russia. This marriage not only strengthened dynastic ties, but also opened new horizons for political cooperation between the two countries.
Yuri (Georgy) Andreevich (between 1160 and 1165 — about 1194) — Prince of Novgorod in 1172-1175, husband-co-ruler of Queen Tamara in 1185-1188. The youngest son of Andrei Yuryevich Bogolyubsky. The nickname «Yuri Bogolyubsky», which he is often referred to in modern literature, is missing from the sources
But the husband showed himself to be a libertine and a drunkard (perhaps it was made up). Two years later, they were expelled from the country. Yuri tried to invade Georgia twice, but he was defeated twice.
3. Disappearance and assimilation of the Kpshaks
Over time, the Kipchaks began to assimilate with the local population, losing their ethnic identity. By the end of the 15th century, their influence on Georgian culture and society had become less noticeable, but some elements of their heritage can still be found in Georgian culture. Thus, the Kipchaks played an important role in the history of Georgia, leaving their mark in both the military and cultural spheres. Their interaction with the Georgian principalities has become a significant stage in the formation of the historical and cultural identity of the region.