Khevi (territorial unit)
Khevi was historical-geographical and administrative-territorial unit in eastern Georgian mountains. It was based on ancient primitive-communal territorial units known as "Gora", which would later evolve into Khevi during the middle ages. Khevi comprised several mountainous communities along gorges, such highlander communities enjoyed a degree of autonomy or semi-independence within Georgian political entities, corresponding to the period of the so-called “military democracy” or “chiefdom”. They strongly opposed feudal system and were rather electing their own "council of elders" and leaders, known as Khevisberi who would function as a judge, priest and military leader.
