Contemporary Studies on Georgian History in Turkey

Abstract

The first scholarly studies on the history of Georgia in Turkey began in the mid-20th century. The early works mainly offered descriptive information about the interactions between Georgia and the Ottoman Empire, as well as the history and culture of the Georgian people.

Following the restoration of Georgia's independence and the establishment of diplomatic relations with Turkey, there was a growing interest in Georgian history in Turkey. This led to a significant increase in scholarly work on the history of Georgia. Numerous monographs and both scientific and journalistic articles were published. It is important to note that the works of Turkish historians frequently employ previously unknown archival documents pertaining to Georgia’s medieval, modern, and contemporary history, thereby enriching the sources available for understanding Georgian-Turkish relations and Georgian history. Although some authors’ opinions may not align with the established traditions of Georgian historiography, this does not hinder constructive debates and collaboration between Georgian and Turkish historians.

In the relatively few works published in Turkish by Georgian authors in Turkey, aside from topics concerning the history of Georgia, there is a focus on specific issues related to Georgian-Turkish relations, such as the interactions of Georgians with the Huns, Khazars, and Kipchaks, as well as the Georgian-Turkish relations during the period of the Democratic Republic of Georgia and matters related to Turkey that were covered in the Georgian press.

This article briefly reviews the available works of Turkish authors published from the 1950s to 2025, alongside the books and monographs published by Georgian authors in Turkish and Georgian languages.