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SBG
HISTORY
early Georgian renaissance was characterised by the development of magnificent secular art and culture, the flourishing of a romantic-chivalric tradition, breakthroughs in philosophy and an array of political innovations in
period was marked by religious and ethnic tolerance, the abolition of the death penalty and a proto-parliament. Referred to as the Golden Age of Georgia, it was the time when art and architecture flourished in the land.
Skin’ written by Shota Rustaveli was the first Georgian book to be printed during Tamar’s reign, and the churches and monasteries built at around the same time still dot the country’s landscape.
invasion of Georgia put paid to this era of peace and prosperity. Between 1386AD to 1403AD, Tamerlaine the
country’s economy was devastated and thriving cities were reduced to ruins, resulting in the disintegration of the empire. Many attempts were made by later kings to reunite the kingdom, but none met with success. Finally, recognising that the country was no longer capable of defending itself, King Erekle II (1744-1798AD), a descendant of the Bagrationis, sought the help of Catherin the Great of Russia.
ANNEXATION AND BEYOND
In 1783, the Treaty of Georgievsk was signed, and Georgia became a Russian protectorate. However, this arrangement hit a hurdle when the Turks and Persians invaded the country in the late 18th century, even as
Russia stayed away from the conflicts.
Georgia and Russia culminated with the latter’s annexation of Georgia in 1801.
Over the next two centuries, Russia’s occupation of Georgia came as a sociological and cultural challenge for the country’s native population. Under growing resentment, a nationalistic elite seeking to restore Georgian independence and glory declared the country’s ‘liberation’
May is still considered Georgia’s Independence Day, the events of 1918 had only a brief impact on the country: it became involved in a territorial dispute with Armenia, and as a result, ended up under British protection. In 1921, the Georgian capital of Tbilisi was occupied by the Red Army. From 1921 to 1991, the Soviet Socialist Republic of Georgia was one of the 15 constituent republics of the Soviet Union.
INDEPENDENCE
After the collapse of the Soviet Union and Georgia’s final secession from it on 9 April 1991, the country experienced a period of political
the Rose Revolution—a mass non- violent public disobedience campaign to protest against undemocratic elections—deposed President Eduard
led by Mikheil Saakashvili, Zurab Zhvania and Nino Burjanadze. Following the Rose Revolution, a series of reforms was launched to strengthen the country’s military and economic capabilities. In 2004, Mikheil Saakashvili became president
Statue of St. George
of Georgia, after winning the elections by a huge margin. Following his appointment to the post, the Georgian parliament passed constitutional amendments that strengthened the presidency and gave the country a cabinet and a prime minister for the first time. In the elections held soon after, the National Movement Democratic Front, the president’s
election of Mr. Saakashvili to his post iterates the confidence and faith the people of Georgia repose in him and his ability to restore Georgia to its former glory, en route sweeping liberal reforms.
Today, Georgia is a flourishing presidential parliamentary democracy. It has been recognised by and is a member of various global organisations such as the United Nations, the World Trade Organisation, the Organisation of the Black Sea Cooperation, the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the Community of Democratic Choice, the GUAM Organisation for Democracy and Economic Development and the Asian Development Bank. Now Georgia aspires to join NATO and the European Union. All this points to the country’s drive to integrate itself with the rest of the world, and its acceptance in the world order as a sovereign state with a strategic economic future.
Modern Georgia has left its turbulent past behind. With a forward-looking government and a long tradition of revivals motoring it, this ‘young’ state is poised to rewrite history in the years to come.
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