Their fiefdom, Samachablo, covered a significant portion of what is now South Ossetia, and enjoyed a degree of autonomy within the Kingdom of Kartli from c. 1470 to 1800 when Georgia was annexed to Imperial Russia. The Machabeli house was confirmed in princely dignity by the Russian Tsar in 1850.
Samachablo, their territory, included a significant portion of what is now South Ossetia and had autonomy within the Kingdom of Kartli from approximately 1470 to 1800 when Georgia was annexed to Imperial Russia. The Machabeli family was recognized as princely in status by the Russian Tsar in 1850.