
Vakhtang VI of Kartli was a pivotal figure in Georgian history during the early 18th century, blending political leadership with significant cultural achievements. His reign marked a period of partial recovery in Georgia, highlighted by legal reforms and economic improvements. Notably, he established the first Georgian-language printing press in 1709, which produced works such as The Knight in the Panther's Skin and religious texts, fostering a renaissance in Georgian literature and scholarship. Vakhtang was also an author and translator, known for his translation of Kalila and Demna from Persian and his contributions to editing Georgian chronicles.
Politically, Vakhtang navigated complex alliances with Persia and Russia. Initially loyal to the Safavid shah, he was recalled from a successful campaign against Dagestani raiders due to Persian court intrigues. Disillusioned, Vakhtang sought Russian support, aligning with Tsar Peter the Great during the Russo-Persian War (1722–1723). However, Peter's retreat left Vakhtang exposed, leading to his eventual expulsion by Persian-backed forces in 1723. Attempts to regain his kingdom failed, and Vakhtang spent his later years in exile in Russia, where he died in 1737.
Vakhtang’s political maneuvers, although often thwarted by larger geopolitical forces, reflect Georgia’s precarious position between Persia, the Ottoman Empire, and Russia. His cultural and scholarly contributions, however, left a lasting legacy, solidifying his reputation as a learned and forward-thinking monarch.