SoTa rusTavelis saxelobis saxelmwifo universiteti

Djemal KaralidzeAdjara in 1878-1903(Political, Economic and Social Situation of the Region)SummaryThe research is about an important and remarkable period of ourcountry from 1878, when Adjara, unyoked from Ottoman Empire, wasreturned to motherland – Georgia, till 1903, when broken away from QutaisiProvince, it became an independent administration district. That period of ourhistory is characterized with critical political events, economic development,and worsened social status, etc.On basis of archival documents, the press of that period, memoirs,other reliable sources and historiography, author tries to discuss the mainissues of Adjara development in the end of XIX and the beginning of XX, i.e.its joining to Georgia, creation of Batumi District and establishment ofRussian administration, real aims of Russian Empire and the principles ofRussian colonial policy in that region. The role of Batumi Free Port in theeconomic development of the region and also its influence on the case ofAdjara Muslim residents made go into exile is discussed.Considering the region’s economic situation, its full picture is given.The author has studied different aspects of it: agriculture, industry, especiallyexport of oil and the development of the production related to it.Besides, the proper attention is paid to the tsarist intention to preventthe restoration of national consciousness of local population and their returnto Georgia. It is concluded that the rapid social-economic and politicaldevelopment of Batumi stimulated revival of social-political life of theregion, a direct result of which was the establishment of an institution of selfgoverningin Batumi by 1888.The history of social relations in Adjara and especially in Batumi iswell-examined. On basis of quick economic development and concentrationof labor force, the logical outcome of difficult social situation was a creationof labor class as a strong political and active force of the region. Batumibecame an important revolutionary center as of Georgia, so of Russian222