The Great Turkish Invasion, or Great Turkish Troubles, describes the Seljuq-led Turkic tribes' attacks and settlement in Georgian lands during the 1080s, under King George II. Originating from a 12th-century Georgian chronicle, this term is widely recognized in modern Georgian scholarship. These invasions significantly weakened the Kingdom of Georgia, leading to depopulation in several provinces and diminishing royal authority. The situation began to improve with King David IV’s ascent in 1089, who reversed the Seljuq advances through military victories, stabilizing the kingdom.
Background
The Seljuks first invaded Georgia in the 1060s, led by Sultan Alp Arslan, who devastated the southwestern provinces and impacted Kakheti. This invasion was part of a broader Turkish movement that also defeated the Byzantine army at the Battle of Manzikert in 1071. Despite the initial setbacks, Georgia managed to recuperate from Alp Arslan’s raids. However, the Byzantine Empire's withdrawal from Anatolia following their defeat at Manzikert left Georgia more exposed to Seljuk threats. Throughout the 1070s, Georgia faced further invasions under Sultan Malik Shah I. Despite these challenges, King George II of Georgia was occasionally successful in mounting defenses and counter-attacks against the Seljuks.
Invasion
In 1080, George II of Georgia faced a severe military setback when surprised by a large Turkish force near Queli. This force was led by Aḥmad of the Mamlān dynasty, described in the Georgian chronicle as "a powerful emir and strong archer." The battle forced George II to flee through Adjara to Abkhazia, while the Turks seized Kars and pillaged the region, returning to their bases enriched.
This encounter was the beginning of a series of devastating invasions. On June 24, 1080, a large number of nomadic Turks entered Georgia's southern provinces, swiftly advancing and wreaking havoc throughout Asispori, Klarjeti, Shavsheti, Adjara, Samtskhe, Kartli, Argueti, Samokalako, and Chqondidi. Significant sites such as Kutaisi and Artanuji, as well as Christian hermitages in Klarjeti, were destroyed. Many Georgians who escaped the initial onslaught perished from cold and starvation in the mountains.
In response to his crumbling kingdom, George II sought refuge and assistance in Isfahan with Malik Shah, the Seljuq ruler, who granted him security from further nomadic incursions in exchange for tribute. However, this arrangement did not stabilize Georgia. Turkish forces continued to infiltrate Georgian territories seasonally to utilize the Kura valley's pastures, and Seljuq garrisons occupied strategic fortresses throughout the southern regions of Georgia.
These invasions and settlements drastically disrupted Georgia's economic and political structures. Agricultural lands were converted into grazing fields, forcing peasant farmers to flee to the mountains for safety. The chronic instability led to severe societal and environmental degradation, with a Georgian chronicler recording that the land had been so ravaged it became overgrown and deserted, exacerbating the suffering of the people.
This period of turmoil was compounded by a severe earthquake on April 16, 1088, which struck the southern provinces, further devastating Tmogvi and surrounding areas. Amidst this chaos, the Georgian nobility took advantage of the weakened royal authority to push for greater autonomy.
Attempting to restore some semblance of control, George II sought to leverage his relationship with Malik Shah to subdue Aghsartan I, the defiant king of Kakheti in eastern Georgia. However, his efforts were undermined by his own inconsistent policies, and Aghsartan managed to secure his position by offering submission to Malik Shah and converting to Islam, thus buying peace and security for his realm.
Aftermath
In 1089, amid significant turmoil and external threats from the Seljuq Turks, George II of Georgia, either by choice or under pressure from his nobles, crowned his 16-year-old son, David IV, as king. David IV, known for his vigor and strategic acumen, took advantage of the chaos following the death of Seljuq Sultan Malik Shah in 1092 and the geopolitical shifts triggered by the First Crusade in 1096.
David IV embarked on an ambitious reform and military campaign aimed at consolidating his authority, curbing the power of the aristocracy, and expelling Seljuq forces from Georgian territories. By 1099, the same year Jerusalem was captured by the Crusaders, David had strengthened his kingdom sufficiently to cease the annual tribute payments to the Seljuqs, signaling Georgia's rising independence and military capability.
David's efforts culminated in a decisive victory at the Battle of Didgori in 1121, where his forces overwhelmingly defeated the Muslim armies. This victory not only secured Georgia's borders but also established the kingdom as a major power in the Caucasus and Eastern Anatolia, setting the stage for a period of expansion and cultural flourishing that would define the Georgian Golden Age.