Armenian merchants and their role in Georgian economy in 18th century andthe first half of 19th century
Armenian merchants, who migrated to Georgia especially after the fall of Bagratid Kingdom (1045), settled mostly in cities.Georgian-Armenian merchants received protection from Georgian kings and later on from Russian local authorities, who were earning significant profits from their economic activity.Merchant class in Georgia consisted of free citizens - mokalaks, who played significant role the in the economic development, internal and external trade of the country in 18-19thcenturies. The latters gradually transferred into commercial and industrial class, which began playing key role in economic life of Transcaucasia.