Kelesh Ahmed-Bey Shervashidze
Encyclopedia
Kelesh Ahmed-Bey Shervashidze (1747–1808) was the head of state of the Principality of Abkhazia
from the 1780s to 1808. Kelesh-Bey was the son of Manuchar Shervashidze
. In his childhood, Kelesh-Bey was taken to Istanbul
, Turkey as a hostage, where he converted to Islam
. Shervashidze returned to Abkhazia
from Istanbul in the 1770s with the goal of taking over and ruling his native land. With the help of Turkish forces, Kelesh-Bey was able to overthrow his uncle, Zurab Shervashidze, and take over the Abkhaz crown. Kelesh-Bey was known for his energetic drive to consolidate state power while actively fighting against the Principality of Mingrelia
which bordered Abkhazia to the east. In 1802, he rallied the Turkish support and captured the Mingrelian fort of Anaklia
. After Mingrelia joined the Russian Empire
in 1803, Shervashidze also tried to seek closer ties (associated relations) with Russia which led to Abkhazia’s break with Ottoman Turkey. Becoming increasingly worried about Abkhazia drifting closer to Russia, the Turkish leadership tried to remove Kelesh-Bey from power by force, but failed. In the end, Turkey was able to remove Shervashidze from the Abkhaz throne by forging close ties to Shervashidze’s son Aslan-Bey
who killed his father and became the new ruler of Abkhazia.
Principality of Abkhazia
The Principality of Abkhazia emerged as a separate feudal entity in the 15th-16th centuries, amid the civil wars in the Kingdom of Georgia that concluded with the dissolution of the unified Georgian monarchy...
from the 1780s to 1808. Kelesh-Bey was the son of Manuchar Shervashidze
Manuchar Shervashidze
Manuchar, or Mancha, from the house of Shervashidze, or Chachba, was a prince of the Principality of Abkhazia from circa 1730 to 1750...
. In his childhood, Kelesh-Bey was taken to Istanbul
Istanbul
Istanbul , historically known as Byzantium and Constantinople , is the largest city of Turkey. Istanbul metropolitan province had 13.26 million people living in it as of December, 2010, which is 18% of Turkey's population and the 3rd largest metropolitan area in Europe after London and...
, Turkey as a hostage, where he converted to Islam
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
. Shervashidze returned to Abkhazia
Abkhazia
Abkhazia is a disputed political entity on the eastern coast of the Black Sea and the south-western flank of the Caucasus.Abkhazia considers itself an independent state, called the Republic of Abkhazia or Apsny...
from Istanbul in the 1770s with the goal of taking over and ruling his native land. With the help of Turkish forces, Kelesh-Bey was able to overthrow his uncle, Zurab Shervashidze, and take over the Abkhaz crown. Kelesh-Bey was known for his energetic drive to consolidate state power while actively fighting against the Principality of Mingrelia
Principality of Mingrelia
The Principality of Mingrelia was a historical state in Georgia ruled by the Dadiani dynasty. Established as an independent Principality in 1557 by Levan I Dadiani as a hereditary mtavari , it remained independent until it became subject to Imperial Russia in 1803...
which bordered Abkhazia to the east. In 1802, he rallied the Turkish support and captured the Mingrelian fort of Anaklia
Anaklia
Anaklia is a town and seaside resort in western Georgia. It is located in the Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region, at the place where the Enguri River flows into the Black Sea, near the administrative border with Abkhazia.- History :...
. After Mingrelia joined the Russian Empire
Russian Empire
The Russian Empire was a state that existed from 1721 until the Russian Revolution of 1917. It was the successor to the Tsardom of Russia and the predecessor of the Soviet Union...
in 1803, Shervashidze also tried to seek closer ties (associated relations) with Russia which led to Abkhazia’s break with Ottoman Turkey. Becoming increasingly worried about Abkhazia drifting closer to Russia, the Turkish leadership tried to remove Kelesh-Bey from power by force, but failed. In the end, Turkey was able to remove Shervashidze from the Abkhaz throne by forging close ties to Shervashidze’s son Aslan-Bey
Aslan-Bey Shervashidze
Aslan-Bey Shervashidze was a prince of the Principality of Abkhazia from 1808-10. He was the eldest son of Kelesh Ahmed-Bey Shervashidze. Aslan-Bey was associated with pro-Turkish elements of the region, and was responsible for rebelling against and later killing his father in order to ascend the...
who killed his father and became the new ruler of Abkhazia.