Satavado

Satavado (Georgian: სათავადო) 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 (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 obeyd 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“ (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.

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Wikipedia