Tehran – The key cultural heritage preservation initiative culminated in the digitization and cataloging of rare Persian and Georgia historical documents from the AFSHAR period, preserved at the Corneli Kekeritze National Manuscript Center in Zbilisi, Georgia.
The project, led by Dr. Tamar Abuladze, was implemented based on the endangered species archive program with support from the UK Library. The electronic catalogue, which stems from this extensive research, was officially published on the library’s website earlier this year, and reported key steps in preserving and promoting unstudied archival material related to Iran and Georgia history.
The project focused on documents from a politically charged era in which Iranian influence under the Qizilbashs of Iran was extended to East Georgia, particularly during the reign of Nadar Shah Afshar, aka Nadir Shah (1736–1747). These historical documents provide important insights into the military, administrative, and social dynamics between Iran and Georgian territory in the 18th century.
Documents were carefully selected based on time series associations between duration and degree of physical degradation. The digitized corpus consists of fifans, decrees, administrative orders, tax records, appointment documents, letters, legal judgments, and other official communications. These were published by prominent figures such as Nader Shah, his successor Ibrahim Shah, Iranian officials like Sefi Khan and Azad Khan, as well as Georgian royals, including Kartri Kakechi and Temraz II’s Eleklu II.
The documents range from Iranian monarchs and Georgian rulers to local nobles, beh, and governors of Kartri Kaketi and the surrounding areas. Collectively, they demonstrate the interconnectivity of Iranian and Georgian management systems during the Afsharid era.
Napoleon of Persia!
Born Nadar Kohli Beg, Nadar Shah, created the Iranian Empire, which spread from the Indus River to the Caucasus Mountains. He is considered one of the most powerful rulers in the history of the country. He assumed power when the era of chaos overwhelmed Iran.
Nader attempted to reunite Persian territory while repelling the invaders. He is sometimes called Persian Napoleon or the second Alexander.
According to the Encyclopedia of Britannica, Nader Koli Beg had an obscure beginning in the Turkish Afshar tribes who were loyal to Iran’s Safavid Shah. After serving under the local chief, Nader formed a band of robbers, mentored and demonstrated a remarkable power of leadership.
Proceeding to construction with the Navy, Nadar Shah was able to not only take Bahrain from the Arabs, but also invade and conquer Oman. In February 1739, after winning several cities in the Mughal Empire in northern India, he opposed the major Mughal forces in Karnal, India. He won the battle, entered Delhi and returned to Iran with a huge amount of spoilt, including the amazing Peacock Throne and Koh-e-Noah Diamond. He then attacked Uzbeks around the cities of Bukhara and Kiva. His empire reached the most distant expansion, comparable to the territory range of the ancient Iranian Empire.
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