The end of the Undiladze Family in the Safavid Iran in the Light of Persian Written Sources

Abstract

In the present paper our conclusions are based on the comparativist review and critical analysis of infor- mation kept in the Persian sources with the other sources containing parallel references. In particular, the revolt organized by Daud-Khan Undiladze and King Teimuraz I in the autumn of 1632, which was directed against the Safavid government, served as a catalyst for the brutal punitive operations against the Undiladzes’ family. However, in some sources other reasons are also mentioned. In particular, it is alleged that Shah Safi was informed that the Undiladze brothers were planning to enthrone the illegitimate son of Shah Abbas I, which led to their emnity. In this case, we should take into cosideration existing historical reality, that the Shah Safi had a negative attitude towards the Undiladzes as soon as he had occupied the throne, who, together with their supporters, opposed the second group of Georgians ascended in Iran, led by Khosro-Mirza (later Wali (i.e. viceroy) of Kartli – Rostom), and which was supported by Sah Sefi himself.