About One of Mikheil Sharvashidze’s Letters

Abstract

In studying of available sources about Abkhazia, epistolary he­ri­tage is of particular significance, its content and form characteristics reflect conte­m­po­rary political-cultural and socioeconomic environment.

At K. Kekelidze National Center of Manuscripts of Georgia, there is mai­nta­ined a letter by Mikheil Sharvashidze, the last Prince of Abkhazia, its addressee is unknown. The letter is dated, it was written on 5 October 1854. In that period, there was Crimean war. The military operations took place directly in the territory of Ab­kha­zia. Position of the Prince of Abkhazia was of great significance for the con­f­ro­nting parties, as. In addition to his princedom, he had great authority and influence among the North Caucasian peoples as well.

In the course of the war, in certain period, Mikhail Sharvashidze had to leave his princedom and settle with his father in law, Giorgi Dadiani, in Samegrelo. And the letter was written in Samegrelo. The text of the letter mostly deals with the war, occu­pation of Sokhumi and Ochamchire by the Ottoman troops and the author’s plans for the future.