he became governor of Georgia, and so long as that country remained under Persia, a prince of the royal house of the Bagratides who professed Mahomedanism was the viceroy, or vali, of the Shah. The heir-apparent was kept as a hostage at Ispahan, and enjoyed the honourable post of governor of that city. Tiflis under these princes was a handsome and populous town, where merchants and strangers from many countries were at all times assembled. The Czar of Georgia made it his place of residence, and maintained a court suitable to his rank.
The troubles that ensued upon the death of Nadir Shah had afforded to the vali of Georgia the opportunity of freeing himself from the Persian yoke, and even of acquiring a portion of the territory of Persia. But the Czar Heraclius foresaw that this act on his part would draw down upon him a heavy retribution, when the day should arrive that would see Persia again united under a single ruler; accordingly, he prepared himself against such an event by entering into a close alliance, offensive and defensive, with the Empress of Russia. In the year 1783, a treaty was signed by which the Georgian prince renounced all connection with Persia, and declared himself the vassal of the Empress Catherine; who in turn bound herself and her successors to protect Heraclius, the son of Timuras, and to guarantee the possession not only of all the actual dominions of the Georgian Czar, but also that of all the lands which might in future be acquired by him.
When Lutf'ali Khan, the gallant rival of Aga Mahomed, had perished, and when the Kajar chief had received the submission of the southern provinces of
