House of Dadiani

The House of Dadiani (Georgian: დადიანი [dadiani]) was a Georgian family of nobles, dukes and princes, and a ruling dynasty of the western Georgian province of Samegrelo (Mingrelia) or Odishi.

Dadiani
დადიანი
Nobility
Motto: Hос Noli Tangere
Parent houseHouse of Vardanisdze
CountryGeorgia
Titles
Estate(s)

The House of Dadiani

The first data about the family dates back to 1046. Presumably, the Dadiani descended from a certain Dadi, of the House of Vardanisdze. Appointed as hereditary eristavi (dukes) of Odishi (Samegrelo) in reward for their military services, the family had become the most powerful feudal house in western Georgia by the 1280s. At that time, the branches of the family governed also Svaneti, Guria, and Bedia.

In 1542, Duke Levan I Dadiani became hereditary Prince (mtavari) of Mingrelia and established himself as an independent ruler. His descendant Prince Levan III Dadiani was forced to abdicate in 1691 and Dadiani’s relatives from the Chikovani (ჩიქოვანი) family, hitherto Princes of Salipartiano, inherited the title of Princes of Mingrelia and the surname of Dadiani. Accepting Russian sovereignty in 1802, the Dadiani were elevated to the dignity of Prince of the Russian Empire (Russian: Дадиани) and enjoyed significant independence in their home affairs. Russia made a de facto annexation of Samegrelo in 1857, but Samegrelo remained nominally in existence until January 4, 1867, when Niko Dadiani, the last Prince of Samegrelo, was deposed and the principality was abolished.[1] Prince Niko Dadiani officially renounced his rights to the throne in 1868.

Dukes (eristavi) and Princes (mtavari) of Mingrelia

David Dadiani, Ruler of Mingrelia
Ekateriné Dadiani-Chavchavadze, Princess of Mingrelia
Niko Dadiani,Elder Son of David
Andria Dadiani, Younger Son of David
Tsalenjikha Cathedral which contains the Dadiani dynastic chapels. Built in the 12-14th century.

Heads of the Princely House of Mingrelia

  • Niko I Dadiani (1857–1903)
  • Niko II Dadiani (1903–1919)
  • Shalva Dadiani (1919–1959)
  • Archil Dadiani (1959–1976)
  • Niko III Dadiani (1976–present)

Other members of the family

References

  1. Smithsonian Institution and National Parliamentary Library of Georgia. "Samegrelo: A Historical Overview". Retrieved March 15, 2017.
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