Battles & Campaigns · 1195
Battle of Shamkor
Shamkor, Azerbaijan
What happened
A Georgian army under David Soslan, husband of Queen Tamar, fought the Eldiguzid ruler Abu Bakr. Abu Bakr gathered his allies at the walled city of Shamkor to stop the Georgian advance. David Soslan sent a smaller force against the city gates while leading his main army round to strike from behind. Rough roads slowed the Georgians, but the flanking march won the day, and Shamkor and then Ganja were taken.
Why it matters
Why it matters: The victory was part of the rise of medieval Georgia under Queen Tamar. Her reign is remembered as the high point of the Georgian Golden Age.
What came next
Shamkor was handed to the Georgians' ally Amir Mihran to rule.
Did you know?
The Georgians captured the Caliph's standard, and Queen Tamar gave it to the Khakhuli Monastery.
Timeline
- 1 June 1195Battle of Shamkor.
- 18 January 1213Tamar dies.