His principality included Samtskhe,
Adjara,
Shavsheti,
Klarjeti, Lazia (Chaneti),
Tao,
Kola,
Artaani and most of
Javakheti. His
realm stretched from Tashiskari (modern
Khashuri District) to Karnu-kalaki (now
Erzurum) and the
Black Sea. During his reign, Samtskhe-Saatabago existed as a politically independent entity from the
Georgian Kingdom. Beka was a vassal of the
Ilkhanate, paid regular tributes and participated in their campaigns. Paintings of the House of Jaqeli during the period show them wearing the
caftan with
tiraz bands on the sleeves inscribed with
Kufic letters. Their caftan is decorated with the
cloud collars made of pearl embroidery, a design of Mongol Ilkhanate origin. This is also the costume worn at the time by the courtiers at the Mongol court in
Tabriz. Despite being independent, Samtskhe still maintained some kind of relations with Georgia and Beka himself was given a title of Mandaturukhutsesi (the elder -
first in rank -
Mandator) by Georgian king. At the time of Beka's rule, the Turks became more active the Southwest borders, from the
Sultanate of Rum. After a series of invasions, he managed to fend off the attacks. Beka was a supporter of maintaining Georgian political influence over the
Empire of Trebizond. For this cause, he married off his daughter
Jiajak to the Trapezuntine Emperor
Alexios II. Another daughter of Beka, - Natela, became the consort of
Demetrius II of Georgia and bore him a son and
the successor to the throne. After the execution of his father Demetrius by Mongols, future king
George V was raised by his grandfather at his court. == Family ==