Historical-Geographical Overview of the Territories Occupied after 2008 Russo-Georgian War

Abstract

In the current paper, we try to showcase the historical - geographical overview of the Russian occupied territories in Shida Kartli. Apart from this, we also try to showcase the ancient Georgian toponyms, hydronyms and oikonyms of Didi Liakhvi gorge, and how the transformation of which into Ossetian onomastic units started from the time the Soviet government came to power in the country. In the first half of the XV century, the Machabels feudal kingdom was established in Didi Liakhvi Gorge. The influence of Machabeli’s also extended to Dvaleti and Zhgele Gorges. “Samachablo” was bordered by Ksani Saeristavo (Dukedom) estates from the east. The nobility of Pavlenishvili, Amilakhvari and Kherkheulidze were bordered on the south and south-west and on the north-west Racha Saeristavo. According to one relatively late (1886) document and map attached to it, which give us an idea of the estates owned by the descendants of Abesalom Machabeli (Davit’s son). To the west, it was separated from the Tsereteli estates in Racha Mazra. The northern border followed river Terg and main ridge of the Caucasus. According to the above mentioned map, Machabeli estates were bordered on the north by Tergi district and Vladikavkazi district. In the North Caucasus Machabeli owned an integral part of Georgia from ancient times - Dvaleti, where Ossetians settled later. The Dvals occupy an area of about 500 km2 from the left bank of the river Tergi - to the head of the Ardon, in Nar - Mamisoni Cave and six Gorges (Zakha, Nara, Zramaga, Zrogo, Zhgele and Kasri). Dvaleti was included in the flock of Nikozi Bishop. Most of the toponyms, anthroponyms, ethnonyms common in Dvaleti are of Georgian origin. In 1843 at the initiative of Russian government, “Ossetian District” was created, which administratively entered in Tbilisi province. However, in the territory of historical Dvaleti, the so-called “Nari district” was established, which was transferred to Tergi district in 1859 and because of this an important territory, that was historically part of Georgia (approximately 500 m2) was artificially removed from our country and the historical part of Georgia - Dvaleti was annexed to Ossetia (actually - Russia).