David VII Ulu King of Georgia (from 1247). Illegitimate son of George IV Country: Georgia

Biography of David VII Ulu

David VII Ulu was the illegitimate son of George IV, the King of Georgia, and belonged to the Bagrationi dynasty. His nickname "Ulu" meant "elder" in Mongolian. He ruled as co-ruler alongside his namesake, David VI.

During the reign of his aunt Rusudan, who planned to pass the throne to her son David, David VII Ulu was sent to the court of her son-in-law, Sultan Gias-ad-Din Kaykhusraw II of Konieh, where he spent seven years as a hostage. He gained his freedom after the overthrow of the sultan by the Mongols. In 1246, he was chosen by the Georgian nobility as the king, believing that Rusudan's son had perished.

After his coronation in Mtskheta, David VII Ulu traveled to Karakorum to receive official recognition from Khan Guyuk. There, he met his cousin David, and both of them were recognized as kings of Georgia. David IV, the son of George IV, became the senior (Ulu) co-ruler, while David, the son of Rusudan, became the junior (Narin) co-ruler.

In 1256, David VII Ulu participated with Georgian forces in the Mongol conquest of Alamut. In 1258, he took part in the unsuccessful Mongol campaign against Baghdad. In 1260, Ilkhan Hulagu ordered David to support him in the campaign against Egypt. Remembering the losses from the Baghdad campaign and not wanting a repeat, David refused and rebelled. In response, a massive Mongol army invaded Samtskhe. David fled to Kutaisi to seek refuge with his junior co-ruler. The Mongols captured his family and killed his wife, Gvantsa.

In 1262, David VII Ulu made peace with the Mongols and was able to return to Tbilisi. In 1266, the Georgians took part in the overthrow of Berke and the expulsion of his troops from Shirvan.

David VII Ulu died from a stomach infection and was buried in Mtskheta. He was married four times: to Jigda-Khatun, Altuna (who bore him George and Tamara), Gvantsa (who bore him Demetre II), and Esukan, the daughter of Chormagan-Noyon.