Western Georgia in the 40-ies of the XIX century. Utu Mikava works quietly in his blacksmith shop. With him are also his friends, his assistant Jondo and the apprentice Khiti. Jondo is in love with Natela, Utu Mikava’s sister. The slaves of Dadiani, Samegrelo’s Great Prince, work in dire conditions on the construction of his new palace. Jondo intercedes for them but he is captured and is locked away in a dungeon. Collection of new taxes starts in Samegrelo. Natela, Jondo’s fiancee, is in the list of young women to be sold as slaves at the Eastern markets. Utu Mikava leads an uprising of peasants. He discovers that his sister has been already sold to Omar Pasha’s harem. Utu captures Prince Chichua, a head of Dadiani’s palace guard. Chichua is released by the council of elders on condition that he will distribute lands to the peasants. In the meantime, Natela with the hep of the young black man frees Jondo who is captured by Omar Pasha and joins insurgents. The revolt is suppressed and Utu Mikava, Jondo and other leaders of the uprising are arrested and sent to Ciberia.
