by Jaume Ollé
Last modified: 2003-09-20 by ivan sache
Keywords: ajaria | lazistan | star (white) | crescent: points up (white) | wreath (green) | tree | batumi | south west caucasian democratic republic |
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Lazika or Lazistan was a principality under succesive
Byzantine and Arab rule.
In the IXth century, it was occupied by the Principality of
Taoklardjetia and in the Xth century it was annexed by the
Kingdom of Georgia. Autonomy was gained in
1010.
In XIVth Century, Lazistan was transfered to the Principality of
Guria but retained autonomy. In the XVth century it was occupied for
a short period by the Ottoman army, and again occupied in the XVIth
century. It was then reconquered by Gurian Prince Rostima (1564),
reoccupied two times, and reconquered, for the last time by Prince
Mamia Gureli in 1604). In 1627, it was included in the
Ottoman Empire and the country was
Islamized.
by Jaume Ollé
The oldest known flag of Lazistan is a heraldic banner from the XVIIIth Century, probably still in use on 28 August 1878, when the country was annexed to the Russian Empire (following the treaty of Saint Stephen) as an autonomous territory (1878-1883), later incorporated into the Kutais Province (1883-1903). The oblast of Batum was created on 1 Juny 1903 within the General Government of Georgia.
Jaume Ollé, 17 November 1996
by Jaume Ollé
In April 1918 the country was occupied by the Ottoman army and a puppet republic (capital Kars) was created, named South West Caucasian Republic (Gueneydogulu Kafkazya Cuhmuriyeti). Its flag was vertically divided green and red 1:2, with a white crescent and star in the red stripe. The war ended the same year, and the republic was suppressed after the arrival of the British army (Spring 1919 - evacuated June 1919).
Jaume Ollé, 17 November 1996
by Jaume Ollé
The Republic of Batumi was then created in and survived until
1920, when it was occupied by the Georgians.
Its flag was seen again in 1992 during popular demonstrations.
Jaume Ollé, 17 November 1996