The rebels, joined by several nobles, were initially successful in overrunning much of Guria, but they were finally defeated by the Imperial Russian Army and the allied Georgian nobility in September 1841.

Twice that month the Gurians tried but failed to take Ozurgeti, the principal town of Guria and the last remaining outpost of the Russians.

Dissension within the rebel ranks led to the defection of many noble allies, most importantly of Prince David Gugunava.

Eventually, on September 5, some 2,500 regular Russian troops under Colonel Moisey Argutinsky-Dolgorukov—aided by the volunteer units provided by the pro-Russian nobles—attacked the rebels and defeated them, killing more than 60.

By late September Guria was again calm and under the Russian control, but the government made no further effort to collect taxes in cash or cultivate potatoes.