DANIBEGAŠVILI, Rap‘iel (Russian Rafail Danibegov). 1775? — 18??. Georgian Nobleman, Merchant and Traveller. Son of Osefa (Joseph) Danibegašvili. A wealthy merchant in Tbilisi, he made two journeys to India, in 1795–98 and 1799–1813, in the first time carrying the presents of King Heraclius II of Georgia to Iakov Shahamirian of Madras, the second time in Russian service using Central Asian route (visiting Ladakh and Yarkand). In his book he combines the two journeys into one and gives no dates. Married, children.
Publications: Putešestvie v Indiju gruzinskogo dvorianina Rafaila Danibegova. Moscow 1815, new ed. as Путешествия Рафаила Данибегашвили в Индию, Бирму и другие страны Азии, 1795-1827. 197 p. Moscow 1969 (also in English translation: The travels of Rafail Danibegashvili in India, Burma and other Asian countries, 1795-1827. 197 p. Moscow 1969).
Sources: V. Voropaeva, “On the way to India via Kyrgyzstan”, Himalayan and Central Asian Studies 10, 2006, 110-119; tibethouse.ru/2015/ladak-01-en.html.
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