Sajid invasion of Georgia

The Sajid invasion of Georgia was an important event that happened a long time ago, in the year 914. It was the last big try by Muslim leaders to control the lands in the South Caucasus area before another group, the Seljuks, came later. The leader of this invasion was Yusuf Ibn Abi'l-Saj, known to Georgians as Abul-Kasim. He wanted to make Arab power stronger in Georgia, where Muslim influence was getting weaker.

Abul-Kasim first went to the city of Tbilisi and then moved toward the region of Kakheti. He tried to capture strong forts like Ujarma and Botchorma but later made peace with Kvirike, the ruler of Kakheti, and gave Ujarma back to him. After that, Abul-Kasim moved his army to Kartli and caused a lot of damage there. The Georgians even destroyed their own walls in Uplistsikhe to keep it from being taken. His forces also attacked Meskheti but could not capture the Tmogvi fortress, so they went back, attacking and taking the Q'ueli fortress after a hard fight. They captured and killed the castle's commander, Gobron, who was later honored by the Georgian Orthodox Church.

Even though Abul-Kasim won some battles, he could not achieve his main goal. He had to leave Georgia because the local people fought back very strongly. Later, between the years 918 and 923, there was another attack by Muslim forces known as the Saracens called Saj. During this time, they took Mtskheta and burned down the Monastery of the Holy Cross, although Muslim records do not talk about these events.