Battle of Nakhiduri

In 1598 Simon I of Kartli rebelled against the Ottoman Empire and ceased his annual tribute payments.[1] Simon I took back the fortress of Gori from the Ottomans after a nine month long siege, as a result the Ottomans feared that revolts would spread throughout other regions of the southern Caucasus.[1] The Ottomans immediately took action and launched a punitive expedition against Simon I.[2] The Ottomans sent Cafer Pasha, the beylerbey of Tabriz against the Georgians.[1]

When King Simon I learnt that an Ottoman army was marching against him he went out to face them.[1] The Ottomans marched into the Algeti valley where a Georgian army gathered at Nakhiduri.[2] A major battle took place at Nakhiduri and King Simon I led the initial charge.[2] After five hours of fighting the Ottomans defeated the Georgians and the Georgians were forced to flee the battlefield.[2][1] During the pursuit of the Georgians by the Ottomans, King Simon I was captured by the Turks near the village of Partskhisi.[2]

King Simon, who was taken captive, was brought to Istanbul and imprisoned in Yedikule.[2][1] During his imprisonment, he converted to Islam and took the name Mehmed Pasha. As a Muslim, he died in captivity.[4][1]