1776 – 1846
Thecla Batonishvili, a Georgian poet and a daughter of King Erekle II, was married to Vakhtang Orbeliani. She was mother of Georgian poets – Vakhtang and Aleksandre Orbeliani. In 1832, Thecla Batonishvili was exiled to Kaluga for participating in the conspiracy aimed at restoring an independent Georgian monarchy.
“Thecla Batonishvili was the youngest daughter of King Erekle, grandmother of Mariam Jambakurian-Orbeliani… She was the king’s favorite daughter, who raised her as a boy. Thecla was fond of horse riding and could handle weapons from early childhood. She was eight years old when she learned shooting.
“In 1830, Thecla Batonishvili was involved in planning a coup and the government sent her, as a very influential person, to a temporary exile in Kaluga.
“Thecla Batonishvili was a very generous person and assisted the poor. Many indigent families received food from her. Everyone pinned hopes on her charity. But at the same time, she was very hot tempered and could become even furious if she spotted any injustice.”
G. Tsereteli, the newspaper Kvali.
Issue #5, 25 January, 1897