Okropir the GreatNot much it is known about the origins of Okropir the Great, besides that he belonged that the Pertiveli tribe. He gained prominence as a military commander in the late 3rd century. Around 301, he became the fifth Matskharebeli (the military leader of the Mtskhetistsikhe Confederation). According to the legend, he was elected by unanimity between the main tribal leaders, something that was considered rare in the time. He ruled for more that two decades, until 326 when death, according to the chronicles, death surprised him during a religious festivity. During his first decade as ruler, the Mtskhetistsikhe Confederation consolidated its rule over much of today central and western Mktvartvelo through a number of wars, but he was also able in his late years to assure the future of the confederation through diplomatic means with nearby states.
He is mentioned in many epic poems and he is considered as the first hero of the Mktvartvelian people.
Amiran the WiseAmiran Machaidze, known as Amiran the Wise, belonged to the Permeri clan, from the Pertiveli tribe. He ruled as Matskharebeli from 639 to 668. He faced increasing internal turmoil and fought in several not exactly successful wars against nearby states, only being able to postpone the end of the Mtskhetistsikhe Confederation, which would eventually happen a few decades after his death. Nowadays, he is mostly known for his promotion of the arts and science, and for writting the Kargitserili Chronicle, considered the most important historical source on the Mtskhetistsikhe Confederation.
Ketevan of MtsvumiHer biography before becoming Sinatdedopali in 1187, including her year of birth, is unknown, besides that she is believed to be born in the Baghi tribe and being a priestess in a temple consacrated to Bortsvimaghalia before being elected Sinatdedopali.
She was accused of having taken a nobleman from the Mdidari tribe as a lover in 1201, and she stood in a trial in which she was sentenced to death. Her alleged lover was executed and quartered, while she, instead of being starved to death, chose to drink a poison. Her trial, which happened in the middle of a civil war, has often considered a political trial, as she was said to opposed the interests of the Pkhizladani tribe, which at the time controlled central Mktvartvelo.
Already in the 13th century, particularly after the establishment of the Kingdom of Sashuavelo -which was led by a tribe rival to the Pkhizladani-, she was considered a martyr of the Order of Simartlea, and she is often revered as a semi-deity.
Bedisa I the SageBesida Kvernadze, from the Damoukebedi tribe, became Queen of the Kingdom of Sashuavelo after the death of his brother, King Vazha III. Unlike the Mtskhetistsikhe Confederation or Unitary State of Mktvartvelo, the Kingdom of Sashuavelo had a hereditary monarch, in which the crowd was inherited between siblings, and once there was no other sibling available, to the most senior direct descendant of the next generation.
Under her reign, from 1226 to 1255, the Kingdom of Sashuavelo consolidated with several military campaigns against eastern and southern city-states. Besida is regarded as devout follower of the Order of Simartlean and, besides passing several administrative reforms, she also funded the construction of many temples, strengthened and reformed religious courts, and persecuted Christians and other minority religions.
Ramaz AbuladzeRamaz Abuladze, from the Zghvis clan, was a military leader and politician. He had a leading role in the final defeat of the Abydians in the Battle of Kutatsqaro (1679), which witnessed the end of foreign domination in Mktvartvelo.
After his cousin Shalva becomes Brzdmtsveli of the Unitary State of Mktvartvelo in 1704, Ramaz became commander of the Mktvartvelian army, as well as other government roles, until his retirement in 1720. He remains one of the most popular military leaders in Mktvartvelo's history.
Shalva IShalva Rustavi (1665-1721), from the Zghvis clan, previously Prince of Abakha, became the first Brzdmtsveli in 1704, following the establishment of the Unitary State of Mktvartvelo. The title of Brzdmtsveli (meaning "sovereign guardian") has existed in ancient times as an unofficial title, became the main title of the head state of the Unitary State of Mktvartvelo since then.
The wars had left the country devastated, and although he was able to keep certain stability during most of his reign, he was forced to accept a treaty which would establish an eastern Ardian colony on the coast.
Gela IIIGela Sakandelidze (1694-1759), from the Mstiani clan, ruled Mktvartvelo as Brzdmtsveli from 1741 to 1759. He introduced many administrative reforms, increading the creation of the High Council, which since 1761, would officially elect the Brzdmtsveli.
Ramaz MaisuradzeHe led the nation in the Northern War (1760-1766), in which the Unitary State of Mktvartvelo expanded their territory toward the west, after defeating a coalition led by Abydos. Despite this victory, he was forced to abdicate in 1769, as consequence of increasing prices and turmoil and several rebellions, particularly in the southwestern and northern provinces. As a result, General Levan Sagaradze would become Brzdmtsveli, returning the Mstiani clan to power. Levan’s reign would be short, however, as he died in 1774 during a cholera epidemy that affected the capital city, but the Mstiani clan would retain the office of the Brzdmtsveli until 1786.
Malkhaz IVMalkhaz Kapanadze (1815-1881), who ruled as Malkhaz IV, belonged to the Gabedi clan, as most of Brzdmtsveli during the 19th century. He introduced many reforms, including a reorganization of the judicial system, a military reform, promoting higher education, as well as replacing the High Council for the Council of State, which allowed him to have a greater control and influence on his potential successor. He also established a national parliament, although only 20,000 electors had the right to vote in the election. He also promoted local elections and granted local government with more autonomy.
After the death of his first wife, he married Hagit Na'ava Mashiah, a Vanoran noblewoman. Malkhaz is said to have increasingly favoured the idea of a constitutional reform, which would establish a semi-constitutional monarchy under a hereditary monarch instead of an elected one. For that, he aimed to establish his own clan with her second wife. Although the reality of such plans is still controversial, there would fade away as death surprised him in 1881. But his supporters in both the government and the Council of State allowed his wife to be elected Brzdmtsveli, taking the name of Tamara Chakhava or Tamara I.
Hagit Na'ava Mashiah or Tamara ITamara I (1850-1892) was the only Brzdmstveli who was born abroad, as she was a Vanoran noble who married Malkhaz IV in 1876. She continued her husband’s policies, as well as other liberal-minded reforms including the decriminalization of religious proselytism, a reform of the military and the banking system, and more importantly, the final abolition of the serfdom in 1886. However, she would deposed in 1888 following a coup d’etat and she was sent into secret prison in Sighnaki, where she would die in 1892.
Levan MikataudzeLevan Mikataudze (1838-1922) was elected Brzdmtsveli in 1886, following a coup d’etat which was led by his cousin Okropyr Beridze. Both belonged to the...clan. Levan’s rule was highly authoritarian, and a large number of ministers that served under both Malkhaz and Tamara, including several members of the Council of State, were imprisoned or executed. During his rule, tensions with Abydos increased, as the Muslim minority was persecuted, as well with Vanora, particularly after it was known about Tamara’s death in 1892.
His repressive policies, as well the disaffection of the eastern clans and the increasing in prices led to the Gvalvitsebi Revolt, which caused the start of the National War, which lasted from 1897 to 1906. In 1899, he was forced to flee the capital city, and despite a brief return in 1903, he finally fled the country. He would not return to Mktvartvelo until a second amnesty in 1919, dying in 1922.
Zurab OrjonikidzeZurab Orjonikidze, from the Dasatsqise clan, was elected Brzdmtsveli in 1907, replacing General Guram Ananidze, who had been ruling as acting head of state since 1904. His rule was marked by attempts of compromise and national reconciliation. In 1911, it was promulgated the Charter of Khisjvari, which established the National Assembly as well some constitutional rights. However, the last years of his reign are mostly remembered for increasing political tensions and social protests.
Tsisana Lomidze Tsisana I was elected Brzdmtsveli in 1944. During her rule, the policies of national development and industrialization were continued and advanced, and it was implemented an opening of the economy to attract foreign investment. In foreign policy, it was negotiated the Treaty of Nordheim, which paved the way for a final settlement of the issue of the territory and Jugland, including the peaceful annexation of the preferecture of Nordansk into Mktvartvelo in 1951. She died in 1967.
Otar ZakhariadzeFollowing the brief rule of Vephkia Daushvili (1967-1971), Otar Zakhariadze was elected Brzdmtsveli as Otar II. Zakhariadze was an experienced politician, serving as Prime Minister three times (1952-1957, 1961-1962, and 1966-1969.
Although he was widely respected at the time, his rule would start a period of economic stagnation and political division, which led, one year after his death in 1977, to a failed coup d’etat.
Endzela ShengelaiaEnding the so-called “Parliamentary Dictatorship” period (1976-1978), Endzela Shegelaia was elected Brzdmtsveli as Endzela I. Endzela I opted for a more neutral approach than her predecessors, and she was rarely involved in partisan or domestic policy. During her reign, many reforms were introduced, such as a new electoral, legislative and tax reforms, as well as reforms on education and healthcare. Since the 1990s, the country also experienced a considerably increase in economic growth, which helped to leave behind the political tensions of the 1970s.
She abdicated for health reasons in 2002, being replaced by Tamaz Japharidze, from the Pridoni clan.
Tamaz JapharidzeIn 2002, following the abdication of Endzela Shengelaia, Tamaz Japharidze was elected Brzdmtsveli by the Council of State. Japharidze, who became head of state as Tamaz IV, was the son of Ramaz Berashvili, who served as Minister of Education from 1949 to 1954 and later a member of the Council of State until his death in 1979. His brother, Imeda Japharidze, had also been a member of the National Assembly and served as Deputy Minister of Energy and Deputy Minister of Immigration Policy. Unlike his father and brother, he was mostly involved in the family business, becoming CEO of Okros Spilendzi Inc., a mining company, since 1978, and was later appointed Chairman of the Federation of Commerce in 1989.
As Brzdmtsveli, Tamaz IV was rarely directly involved in political affairs. His health started to decline in 2019, and he died in late 2021, following complications as consequence of a surgical intervention after suffering a stroke. Ketevan Chakhava will replace as Brzdmtsveli.
