Jean-Baptiste Tavernier (1605 – 1689) was a French gem merchant and traveler, who had made six voyages to Persia and India between the years 1630 and 1668. In 1675, Tavernier, at the behest of his patron Louis XIV, published his famous travelogue "Les Six Voyages de Jean-Baptiste Tavernier" (1676) which was translated into English in 1678. The part excerpted here deals with the eastern Georgia. Tavernie devotes another section of his book to Western Georgia, which he calls "Mengrelia," and I will post it separately.
GEORGIA, which others call Gurgie, or Gurgistan, extends Eastward to the Caspian Sea; and upon the West is bounded by Mountains that, part it from Mengrelia. Formerly it was a Kingdom, all the Inhabitants whereof were Chriftians, of the Armenian and of the Greek Church, but of late the Mahometans have got footing among them. And the King of Persia having filled them full of Divisions, has made two Kingdoms of it, which he calls Provinces, over which he has placed two Governors. They are generally Princes of the Country, who must turn Mahometan before they can be admitted to that Dignity. When they are advanced, they take upon them the title of Kings and while they have any issue, the King of Persia cannot dispossess their Children.
The most Potent of these two Kings, is he that resides at Teflis, who in the Language of the Country is called the King of Cartele [Kartli]. The present King is the last that has continued a Christian, with his four Sons; the Eldest of which, the King of Persia having enticed to Court, partly by Promises, and partly by Presents, has won to Mahometism [Islam]. Immediately thereupon , he caused him to be declared King of the other Province.
Thcse two Kings have each of them a Guard of Mahometan Horsemen under their own pay, and at present I believe there are in both Kingdoms near upon 12000 Mahometan Families.
The King of Teflis coins Money in the King of Persia's Name; and the Silver which he coins, is in Spanish Reals, French Crowns, and such other Money, which the Armenians bring out of Europe for their Goods. As to the Justice of the Countrey, neither the King himself, nor the Mahometans have any thing to do with it. A thief is acquitted, paying seven-fold what he has stole; two parts whereof go to the Party robbed, one part to the Judges, and four parts to the King. If the Thief has not wherewithal to make restitution, he is sold: If the Product do not yet equal the Sum, if he have a Wife and Children, they sell the Wife, and if that will not do, then they sell the Children; But if the Party robbed be so merciful as to forgive the Thief his share, then neither the King nor the Judges can demand anything for their share. If a man commit a Murder, they condemn him to die, and deliver him up into the hands of the Kindred of the Party slain to do Execution as they please themselves. However, it is in their power to pardon him, if he be able to give sixty Cows or more to the next a-kin to the Party killed. In matter of Debt, a Creditor has power to seize upon all the estate of the
Debtor; and if that will not satisfy, he may sell his Wife and Children.
The Chriftians of Georgia arc very ignorant, especially in Matters of Religion. They learn that little they know, in the Monasteries, as also to write and read, and generally the Women and Maids are more knowing than the Men, not only because there are more Religious Houses for Women than for Men, but also because the Boys are bred up to labour, or sent to the Wars. For if a Virgin grows up, and happens to be handsome, someone or other presently endeavors to steal her, on purpose to sell her into Turkey, Persia, or the Territories of the great Mogul [India.] So that to prevent their being stolen, their Fathers and Mothers put them very young into Nunneries where they apply themselves to study, wherein, if they attain to any proficiency, they usually stay as long as they live; after that, they profess, and when they come to a certain Age, they are permitted to Baptize, and to apply the holy oils, as well as any Bishop or Arc-Bishop can do.
The Georgians are very great Drinkers, and Nature has fitted them a Country that produces good store of Wine. They love the strongest Drinks best; for which reason, at their Feasts, both men and women drink more Aqua vita [hard liqueur] than Wine. The women never eat in public with their Husbands, but when the man has invited his Friends, the next day the Woman invites her companions. And it is observable that at the Women's Festivals there is more Wine and Aqua vita drank than at the men's. The Guest no sooner enters into the Dining-room, but he is presented with 2 or 3 Dishes of Sweet-meats, and a Glass of half a pint of Aqua vita to excite his Appetite. They are great Feeders upon Onions and Herbs, which they eat raw out of the Garden. The Georgians are also great Travelers, and very much addicted to Trade; they are very dexterous in shooting with Bow and Arrows, and are accounted the best Soldiers in all Asia. They compose a great part of the King of Persia's Cavalry, who keeps them in his Court at peculiar pay, and relies very much upon their fidelity and courage. There are several also in the Service of the Great Mogul.
The Men are very well complexioned and very well shaped; and for the Women, they are accounted the fairest and most beautiful of all Asia, and therefore out of this Country it is that the King of Persia chooses all his Wives, being not permitted to marry a Stranger. Teflis, where the Women have more liberty than in any part of Asia, is the Capital City of Georgia, well situated, large and well built, where there likewise is a great Trade in Silk.
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