Vakhtang, Duke of Aragvi
Vakhtang the Good was a Georgian royal prince of the Bagrationi dynasty, he was also Duke of the Duchy of Aragvi from 1747 until his death in 1756.
Biography
Vakhtang was the first child and the eldest son of Heraclius II, then-prince of Kakheti, born of his first marriage to Ketevan Orbeliani or, according to more recent research, Ketevan Pkheidze. He was born at the time when eastern Georgia was reconquered by the resurgent ruler Nader Shah from the Ottoman Empire and the native monarchies in both eastern Georgian kingdoms, Kartli and Kakheti, were still dormant. In 1744, Nader Shah recognized Heraclius and his father Teimuraz II as kings of Kakheti and Kartli, respectively. Thereby, Vakhtang became heir apparent to the throne of Kakheti.Furthermore, in 1747, Vakhtang was bestowed by his grandfather Teimuraz II with the fief of Aragvi, the hereditary duke of which, Bezhan, was murdered by the rebellious peasants in 1743. Henceforth, the duchy of Aragvi passed in possession of the royal family. As Vakhtang was still a minor, the duchy was run on his behalf by Prince Jimsher Cholokashvili, who had to deal with a peasant revolt and Dagestani inroads. Vakhtang, presumptive heir of Heraclius II and considered by many to be the hope for a Georgian reunification, died prematurely of smallpox in February 1756, and Aragvi was granted to his half-brother, Levan.