Jesse of Kartli

Jesse (, Iese), also known by his Muslim names Ali-Quli Khan and Mustafa Pasha, (1680 or 1681 – 1727), of the Mukhranian Bagrationi dynasty, was a king of Kartli (Georgia), acting actually as a Safavid Persian and later Ottoman viceroy (wali) from 1714 to 1716 and from 1724 until his death, respectively.

He was a son of Prince Levan by his second wife, Tinatin Avalishvili. Jese accompanied his father during his service in Persia where he converted to Islam and took the name of Ali-Quli Khan. He held several high positions along the eastern frontiers of the empire and fought, from 1705 to 1714, under his uncle Gurgin Khan and later brother Kai Khosraw against the Afghan rebels. He was appointed a naib of Kerman (1708–1709), beylerbey of Kerman (1709–1711), and finally a top'chibash (general in charge of artillery) of the Persian armies (1711–1714).

In March 1714, he was confirmed a wali/king of Kartli in place of his brother Vakhtang VI who had refused to accept Islam. With his ascend to the throne, Ali Quli-Khan allied with another Georgian ruler David II of Kakheti (Imamquli-Khan) to repel the attacks from the marauding Dagestani clans but his own positions was shattered by a noble opposition. He proved to be incompentent and addicted to alcohol. Unable to maintain order in his possessions, he was replaced, in June 1716, by Shah Husayn with a brother Vakhtang, who had finally agreed to renounce Christianity. Ali fled to Telavi, Kakheti, but was surrendered to...
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