It is situated in the northern valley of Rioni stream and is surrounded by mountains. Formerly, Racha included also a northwestern bend of the there daylight hours breakaway region of South Ossetia. Rati of the Baghvashi family was the primary duke (eristavi) appointed by King Bagrat III. In 1278 King David VI Narin abolished the duchy throughout his war against the Mongols.

The next family of Chkhetidze governed Racha as of 1465 to 1769. Vassals of the King of Imereti, they revolted more than a few times against the royal power. On the defeat of Archil, Racha was swarming plus plundered by an Ottoman punitive force.

Though, towards the finish of 1769, Ruler Solomon I of Imereti managed to arrest Rostom plus to abolish the duchy. In 1784, King David of Imereti revived the duchy plus gave it to his nephew Anton. Local opposition attempted to use an Ottoman force to get control of Racha, but the victory of King David at Skhvava (January 26, 1786) temporarily tenable his dominance in the area. In 1789, the next Imeretian ruler Solomon II finally abolished the duchy plus subordinated the region directly to the regal management.