House of Chikovani

Not to be confused with the related House of Dadiani

House of Chicovani
ჩიქოვანების საგვარეულო

Coat of Arms of Chikovani-Dadiani of Mingrelia
Nikolas, the last ruling prince from the Chikovani branch of the House of Dadiani
Capitals	Zurgdid, Mingrelia
Preceding states	The Kingdom of Colchis, Kingdom of Georgia
Succeeding state	Russian Empire

The House of Chikovani (also spelled Chicovani or Chiqovani) is an important noble house of Georgia in Southeastern Europe. Dukes of Chikovani ruled a historic province, Lečxumi in northwestern Georgia. By the 18th century, General Katzo Chikovani became a Prince of Mingrelia, a western Georgian principality and assumed the dynastic name of Dadiani.

History

The House of Chikovani first came to prominence after General Prince Katzo Chikovani (d. 1682) was promoted to the post of the Chief Minister at the court of Levan III of Mingrelia. As he strengthened his position among the nobles of western Georgia, General Chikovani eliminated members of many prominent houses, including those of the ruling Dadiani House. When Levan III died in 1692 without leaving a male heir, General Chikovani took over the leadership of the Principality of Mingrelia. General Chikovani's increased power facilitated the ascent of his son George to the Mingrelian Throne. George became a ruler of the principality and after adopting the title of Dadiani became known as George IV Dadiani of Mingrelia.

Beginning with George IV till Nikolas Dadiani, Prince of Mingrelia, all members of the ruling Dadiani family were by blood members of the House of Chikovani. The lineage lasted until the principality was abolished in late 1800s by the Russian Empire which took advantage of internal instability, Ottoman Invasions during the Crimean War, and a subsequent request for help from Ekaterine Dadiani, the Last Princess of Mingrelia.The Chikovani branch that remained without the ruling title of Dadiani traces its origins to General Chikovani's second son Jesse who did not assume the dynastic title.