Satavado

Satavado (Georgian: სათავადო), same as county, was a large feudal landholder and feudal hierarchy-political unit in the 15th-18th centuries in Georgia. Satavados were established in times of political and economical overthrow of Georgian Kingdom, by exploitation peasants and grooving immunity of feudal lords when they formed a new class of Tavadi (count) (Georgian: თავადი).

The long period of domination of foreign intruders extremely weakened the central political and economic power, which became the main reason for rising of Satavados. The regions lost economical interrelations. The feudal anarchy grew in the country. Weak monarch could not employ his main function – keep his villains in humility and safe feudal order in country.

Satavados were created by union of feudal families (union by oath). Big feudal lords, unified in Satavado. captured former King's territories or were granted with the power to manage the territories. (Saeristavo, Satsikhistavo, etc.). They obeyed to Aznauri (nobleman) and created their own government offices independently from the King. (Maidservants, regular army etc.) and confronted with the central government system, Royalty system.

When Georgia was united (11th-13th centuries) the country became strong economically and socially, Royal role was mighty and ground for such feudal institutes does not existed. Manorial estates were created through the long period of history. They included granted, awarded, dowry and ravished manors. Part of Satavado was created on the basis of Saeristavo. (Such as Ksani, Aragvi, Racha and others)

In Satavado three kind of land hold forms existed:

• Common or cooperative (Georgian: საერთო)
• Prince property (Georgian: საუფლისწულო)
• Individually owned (Georgian: სათავისთაო)

“Common“ (Georgian: საერთო) - was a manor which was used commonly by the families belonging to the same Satavado. The minor was managed by Tavadi appointed by the heads of other families too. They were paying “State taxes” and the rest of the income was divided by the families. Tavadi was getting twice as big divvy than other families.

“Prince property” (Georgian: საუფლისწულო) – was granted to a feudal family to manage it for some time. After some period that minor could have been given to another family. Interim owned of the ”Prince property” could not sell or change anything in serf-feudal obligations. (Disembarrass or change gilds). Such kind of changes could have been made only by Prince's agreement.

“Individually owned” (Georgian: სათავისთაო) - manors were most progressive type of land hold. It vas individually owned by only one family, which was inherited or was granted for good service to the King or dowered. Individually owned lands were unconditional properties. Owner could sell, give in dowry or do something else with his property. This kind of ownership supported the development of intensive agriculture. Exploitation of servants was more restrained than in “Common“ or “Prince property” manors.

Aznauri (Nobleman) were divided according to the type of Satavado they belong. They were: “Common“ (Georgian: საერთო), “Prince property” (Georgian: საუფლისწულო) or “Individually owned” (Georgian: სათავისთაო) subordinated. They were getting manors with servants from Tavadi. This land hold relations was the bases for feudal-hierarchy.

The mane Satavado in Kartli were: Ksani's, Aragvi's, Samukhranbatono, Saamilakhvro, Satsitsiano, Sabaratiano. In Imereti – Mkheidzeta, Chkheidzeta, Mikheladzeta, Rachis Eristavta, Abashidzeta, Tseretelta. In Guria – Machutadzeta and Guriis eristavta. In Odishi – Chiladzeta, Goshadzeta, Djaianta, Chichuata, Chikvnta and others. (Many of them were named after the families which owned them)

Satavados system disunited feudal Georgia and made reunion of the country impossible. It facilitated influence of intruders and helped them to keep authority, therefore they supported Satavados. The Satavados were abolished in the 19th century when Georgia was fully occupied by the Russian Empire. There were no more social-economical reasons for their existence. Satavados were divided among different private minors.