Russia declares a protectorate over Abkhazia and acquires Sukhumi (1810)

In 1810, Russian Marines stormed Sukhum-Kale and replaced the local ruler Aslan-Bey with his brother Sefer Ali-Bey, who had converted to Christianity and taken the name George. In the same year, Abkhazia joined the Russian Empire as an autonomous principality, having earlier sought Russian protection. The town subsequently became a major Russian outpost in the North West Caucasus.

Episodes

Background and detail

Background. Abkhazia sought protection from the Russian Empire in 1801. Sukhum-Kale had been contested by local princes and formed part of the Ottoman Empire from the 1570s until its conquest by Russia in 1810. The pro-Russian Abkhazian prince requested the action against the town, where Aslan-Bey ruled and faced a rival in his brother Sefer Ali-Bey, who had converted to Christianity.

Storming of Sukhum-Kale. On 2 July 1810, Russian Marines stormed Sukhum-Kale. This military action resulted in the replacement of Aslan-Bey with his rival and brother, Sefer Ali-Bey, who assumed the name George. The town was subsequently turned into a major outpost in the North West Caucasus, reflecting its strategic importance to the Russian Empire.

Autonomous Principality. In 1810, Abkhazia joined the Russian Empire as an autonomous principality, having been declared such by the Russians that year. The region later functioned as a pro-Russian buffer zone in the Caucasus. In November 1864, the rule of the Sharvashidze came to an end when Prince Mikhail (Hamud-Bey) was forced to renounce his rights and resettle in Voronezh, Russia.

People involved

Sources

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