
The Kingdom of Imereti, located in western Georgia, emerged as an independent monarchy in 1455 following the fragmentation of the unified Kingdom of Georgia into several rival kingdoms. This division was primarily due to ongoing internal dynastic disputes and external pressures, notably from the Ottomans. Imereti, which had been a distinct region even during the larger Georgian kingdom, was ruled by a cadet branch of the Bagrationi royal family.
Initially, Imereti experienced periods of both autonomy and unification under the rule of George V the Brilliant, who temporarily restored unity in the region. However, after 1455, Imereti became a recurrent battlefield influenced by both Georgian internal strife and persistent Ottoman incursions. This continuous conflict led to significant political instability and gradual decline.
The kingdom's strategic position made it vulnerable but also significant in regional politics, prompting Imereti's rulers to seek foreign alliances. In 1649, seeking protection and stability, Imereti sent ambassadors to the Tsardom of Russia, establishing initial contacts that were reciprocated in 1651 with a Russian mission to Imereti. During this mission, Alexander III of Imereti pledged an oath of allegiance to Tsar Alexis of Russia, reflecting the kingdom's shifting geopolitical alignment towards Russian influence.
Despite these efforts, Imereti remained politically fragmented and unstable. Alexander III's attempts to consolidate control over Western Georgia were ephemeral, and his death in 1660 left the region fraught with ongoing feudal discord. Archil of Imereti, who reigned intermittently, also sought assistance from Russia and even approached Pope Innocent XII, but his efforts were ultimately unsuccessful, leading to his exile.
The 19th century marked a significant turning point when Solomon II of Imereti accepted Russian Imperial suzerainty in 1804 under pressure from Pavel Tsitsianov. However, his rule ended in 1810 when he was deposed by the Russian Empire, leading to the formal annexation of Imereti. During this period, local principalities such as Mingrelia, Abkhazia, and Guria took the opportunity to assert their independence from Imereti, further fragmenting the Georgian territories.