Vakhtang, Duke of Aragvi

Vakhtang the Good^[1] (Georgian: ვახტანგ კარგი) (1738^[2] or 1742^[1] – 1 February, 1756^[2] or 1760^[1]) was a Georgian royal prince (batonishvili) of the Bagrationi dynasty, he was also Duke (eristavi) of the Duchy of Aragvi from 1747 until his death in 1756.

Vakhtang was the first child and the eldest son of Heraclius II, then-prince of Kakheti, born of his first marriage to Ketevan Orbeliani^[2] or, according to more recent research, Ketevan Pkheidze.^[1] 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 (eristavi) 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,^[3] and Aragvi was granted to his half-brother, Levan.^[4]

Vakhtang was married to Ketevan (20 February 1744–4 March 1808), daughter of Constantine III, Prince of Mukhrani. They had no children. Princess Ketevan lived to see the demise of the Georgian kingdom at the hand of the Russian Empire in 1801 and died in Saint Petersburg in 1808.^[2]