Vardan I Dadiani

In 1186 or 1187 Vardan fought with distinction in the victorious campaign against the Eldiguzid state in Arran, masterminded by Asat Grigolisdze, lord of Gishi, during which the Georgians raided Beylagan and the Araxes plain.

[1] Vardan's downfall came with the abortive rebellion raised by the nobles of western and southern Georgia on behalf of the exiled ex-consort of Queen Tamar, George the Rus' (Yuri Andreyevich), in 1191.

By that time, Vardan had been one of the most influential dignitaries in Georgia, being in possession of Orbeti and Kaeni in the eastern part of the kingdom in addition to the vast lands in the west, from the Likhi mountains to Nicopsia, that is, "the whole of Svaneti, Abkhazia, Saegro, Guria, Samokalako, Racha, Takveri and Argveti".

Tamar's loyal amirspasalar (constable) Gamrekeli Toreli defeated Vardan's army at the Niali plain in Javakheti and forced the rest of the rebels, including George the Rus', into surrender.

As a result, Vardan lost the office of Lord High Chamberlain and the fief of Kaeni, both of which were then conferred upon the queen's loyal noble Ivane Mkhargrdzeli.