Khulo ხულო | |
|---|---|
Townlet | |
 | |
  Khulo Location of Khulo in Georgia Show map of Georgia Khulo Khulo (Adjara) Show map of Adjara | |
| Coordinates:41°38′40″N42°18′50″E / 41.64444°N 42.31389°E /41.64444; 42.31389 | |
| Country |  Georgia |
| Autonomous Republic | Adjara |
| District | Khulo |
| Daba from | 1964 |
| Population (2014) | |
• Total | 1,007[1] |
| Time zone | UTC+4 (Georgian Time) |
Khulo (Georgian:ხულო[χulo]) is a townlet (daba) inAdjara, anautonomous republic in southwestGeorgia, 88 km east of the regional capitalBatumi, in the upper valley of the Adjaristsqali River. The town and adjoining 78 villages form the mountainousKhulo District (Raion), which has an area of 710 km2 and a population of 23,327. It is inhabited byAdjarians, an ethnic subgroup ofGeorgians.[1]
The town, formerly known as Khula and Hulo, was a merchant place located on a medieval road that linked the neighboring region ofSamtskhe-Javakheti to theBlack Sea coast. The Khulo area has been inhabited since ancient times, almost from the Bronze Age. Cult monuments include the Thilvani Menhir, a simple megalith building/vertical column about 20 meters tall that archaeologists think was connected to a funeral ritual. Another monument, the Kaloto Altar was found in Khulo, confirming the existence of civilization in the Khulo region in pre-Christian times. The site was built up in the Middle Ages, as evidenced by the many surviving churches, castles, and medieval arched bridges.[2]
In the 16th century, theOttoman Empire pursued an active policy of conquest in several regions of the world, including in what is now Georgia. Georgian lands became one of the directions of Ottoman expansion on the eastern coast of theBlack Sea. However, the scattered parts of the former Georgian kingdom found themselves in the orbit of the Ottoman Empire's influence at different times, and the forms of their relations with the Ottoman state were also different. Along with the entire region ofAdjara, Khulo was part of theOttoman Empire. During this period, Adjara experienced a process ofIslamization and most residents of the region converted toIslam.[3][better source needed]
DuringOttoman rule, Khulo was a chief settlement of Upper Adjara governed by theKhimshiashvili family. In 1829, it was briefly occupied by theRussian force ofGeneral Osten-Sacken who sacked the Khimshiashvili residence before withdrawal.[4] Khulo's population, largelyIslamized during theOttoman era, diminished dramatically under theRussian oppression ofIslam in the 1870s. A series of floods and avalanches in the 1990s-2000s induced another wave of migration from the mountainous villages of the municipality.
In April 1929, duringSoviet rule, the Muslim villagers of mountainousAdjara rose in arms against compulsorycollectivization and religious persecution. The Soviet troops were invoked and the revolt was quickly put down. Thousands ofAdjarians were deported from the republic.[5][better source needed]
The Khulo district was established in 1965 by its current borders, and, according to the current administrative-territorial arrangement, it is called Khulo municipality.[6]
In the district are medieval historical monuments such as Khikhani Fortress where rebel againstOttoman Empire Selim Beg Khimshiashvili defended himself until he was captured and beheaded by Ottoman forces in 1785.[7] The exact date of building Khikhani Fortress is unknown, but most scholars think it was built in sometime in the 10th-13th centuries. Khikhani Fortress was one of the most important fortresses in Adjara. The castle is strategically located in a very convenient location, as it has one pedestrian access from the south-eastern side. It used to be a shelter for the local lords.[8] On the way to Khikhani Fortress there is an active monastery atSkhalta cathedral, built in the 13th century.
