Migration of Abkhazians and Settlement in Adjara: Reasons, Chronology, Settlement Patterns

Abstract

The Caucasus region has historically attracted the attention of powerful states seeking to expand their influence. During the 16th century, Russia initiated an active policy to establish its presence in the Caucasus, leading to a decisive rivalry with the previous regional powers, the Ottomans and Iran, during the 18th century. Capitalizing on the favorable international context and the sentiments of the Caucasian peoples, Russia gained a significant advantage in the region by the turn of the 18th-19th centuries.

Following Russia’s penetration into Transcaucasia, the issue of the Abkhazian Principality gained prominence in the early 19th century. In 1806, recognizing the circumstances, the head of Abkhazia, Kelesh Beg Sharvashidze, decided to seek protection under Russia, as the Ottomans showed no intention of relinquishing control over Abkhazia. The fate of the principality was ultimately determined by the intense conflicts between Russia and the Ottoman Empire during the first half of the 19th century. On July 12, 1864, the Abkhazian Principality was abolished, and its last leader, Mikheil Sharvashidze, was exiled to Russia.

Russia’s subsequent objective became evident: to reorganize Abkhazia, a strategically vital region along the Black Sea coast, under the empire’s administrative, economic, and demographic interests. As a result, a forced mass emigration of Abkhazians took place in 1867, with a significant number settling in Adjara. However, the migration of Abkhazians to Adjara had already commenced before this emigration wave, dating back to the late 18th century. Nonetheless, the majority of Abkhazians who settled in Adjara arrived during the 1860s and 1870s. Several families completely abandoned Abkhazia, with some of their descendants no longer residing there. Testimony to this can be found in the presence of Kudbes, Atrushbes, and Khokhbes descendants living in Adjara.

Russia’s subsequent objective became evident: to reorganize Abkhazia, a strategically vital region along the Black Sea coast, under the empire’s administrative, economic, and demographic interests. As a result, a forced mass emigration of Abkhazians took place in 1867, with a significant number settling in Adjara. However, the migration of Abkhazians to Adjara had already commenced before this emigration wave, dating back to the late 18th century. Nonetheless, the majority of Abkhazians who settled in Adjara arrived during the 1860s and 1870s. Several families completely abandoned Abkhazia, with some of their descendants no longer residing there. Testimony to this can be found in the presence of Kudbes, Atrushbes, and Khokhbes descendants living in Adjara.