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In 1080,
George II was surprised, in the vicinity of Queli, by a large Turkish
force led by Ahmed, probably of the Mamlān dynasty, whom the Georgian
chronicle calls "a powerful emir and strong archer". George was put
to flight, through Adjara, to Abkhazia, and the Turks returned laden
with booty. This was soon followed by even larger inroads. On June 24, 1080, the half-nomadic
Turks began to arrive en masse in the southern provinces of Georgia, quickly
moving deeper into the country and overrunning Asispori,Klarjeti, Shavsheti,
Adjara, Samtskhe, Kartli, Argueti, Samokalako, and Chqondidi.
The key towns of Kutaisi and Artanuji and the vibrant
Christian hermitages of Klarjeti were all burnt down. Those who survived
the fighting had to flee to the mountains, where many of them found their death
of cold and starvation.
Watching his kingdom being destroyed, George II, in despair, repaired to Isfahan, to Malik Shah, who treated the Georgian monarch with much consideration and promised security from the nomads in exchange of a tribute (kharaj).
Watching his kingdom being destroyed, George II, in despair, repaired to Isfahan, to Malik Shah, who treated the Georgian monarch with much consideration and promised security from the nomads in exchange of a tribute (kharaj).