Joseph Bichikashvili
The Bagrationi Dynasty - The Royal House of Georgia and Lesser Houses of Nobility has been approached in a unique way: while revealing the ancient history of the Dynasty, clearly tracing the development of the Nation of Georgia, which shaped Georgia, he also unfolds the present life of the Royal House of Georgia and its representatives. In addition, a comprehensive and full compendium of all members of the Bagrationi Dynasty is given, ranged by their true, documentary-proven dynastic status.The author also examines how the political interest of neighboring states influenced the independence path of Georgia and what role the Royal House of Georgia has played in it. The book is acknowledged as an essential book for historians, diplomats, journalists, and vast circle of readers who are interested, in the history of the Caucuses, and countries that influenced it such as the Russian, Persian and Ottoman Empires.Joseph Bichikashvili is a Georgian researcher and historian renowned for his research on Georgian genealogy, heraldry, and especially Royal Bagrationi Family history. He was the leading specialist and deputy head of the Genealogical Center at the I. Chavchavadze library of the Parliament of Georgia (1999-2001); Deputy Chairman of the 'Georgian Genealogical Society' (1995-2018); Member of the Standing Committee for the Examination of Heraldic Issues under the State Heraldic Committee of the Georgian Parliament (since 2005); Member of the 'Society for the History of Georgian Science' (since 2003). He is also a Chairman of the 'Genealogical and Heraldic Society of Georgia' (since 2018) and Honorary Member of the 'Military Historical Society of Georgia' (since 2018). Joseph is also a secretary and advisor to the Royal House of Georgia and a personal secretary to its head H.R.H. Prince Nugzar Bagrationi-Gruzinski, the direct descendant of the last ruling King of Georgia, Giorgi XII. His experience as a senior researcher at the academy of science, archaeologist, and educationalist has enabled him to get remarkably close to the subject of his research. He is the author of 180 scientific works on history, heraldry, genealogy, vexillology, numismatics, and numerous publications based on rare archival materials and historical sources. For his ongoing scientific work and development of Georgian Nation he was decorated with Knight Grand Officer of the Royal Order of the Crown of the Georgian Kingdom (Royal House of Georgia); Chevalier at the rank of Grand Cross in the Rwanda Royal Order of the Crested Crane (Royal House of Rwanda). He was also distinguished by the State Council on Heraldry under the Parliament of Georgia with the Medal of Honor in tribute of '100th Anniversary of the State Symbols of 1918-2018' and a 2nd degree Medal of the Russian Genealogical Federation 'For the contribution to the development of genealogy and other specific historical disciplines'.
