George XI, known as Gurgin Khan in Iran, was a Georgian monarch (mepe) who ruled the Kingdom of Kartli as a Safavid Persian subject from 1676 to 1688 and again from 1703 to 1709. He is best known for his struggle against the Safavids which dominated his weakened kingdom and later as a Safavid commander-in-chief in what is now Afghanistan. Being an Eastern Orthodox Christian, he converted to Shia Islam prior to his appointment as governor of Kandahar.
George XI of Kartli
George XI.
Royal charter of George XI.
Vakhtang V, born Bakhuta Mukhranbatoni, was king (mepe) of Kartli from 1658 until his death, who ruled as a vassal wali for the Persian shah. He is also known under the name of Shah Nawaz, which he assumed on being obliged outwardly to conform to Islam.
Vakhtang spent his youth in the Mukhrani fortress, his father's residence.
Bakhuta Beg had a complicated relationship with King Rostom Khan in the 1630s.
Scene from the War of the Kingdom of Imereti (1623-1658).
Portrait of Queen Mariam Dadiani.