Page 13 - Azərbaycan xalçaları

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the governor of the Tip district, to Gunduzgala by special obligation. Isa
bey expressed hostility towards Gimbut and some local nobles. Therefore,
he decided to use this situation for strengthening his own position. For this
purpose, he rallied the excited people to refuse to give horseman. This call
had good results; peasants took an oath that they would not give horseman
and would be strong in refusing this issue. After this situation, Isa bey noti-
fied the peasants to return to their homes and told the elders to apply to
General Reut about their needs. After some time, Reut received the elders.
They demanded the reduction of taxes, the end of collection of horsemen,
the removal of the governor of the Guba region and two “nawab” (honorif-
ic title), and other requirements. Reut implemented other demands, but not
the reduction of taxes or the unification of the upper-mountainous districts.
This led peasants to return to their homes. The excitement of the peasants
did not end with this; on the contrary, it became an armed revolt. The rela-
tions of the people of Guba with Shamil, head of the national-liberty move-
ment began in 1835, had an important role. He called on the peasants of the
Yukhari-bash district not to believe tsarist officers and to begin the armed
struggle as a response to his letter.
The armed peasants began to fight with the demand of reducing taxes
in the Guba region. In this situation, about 200 peasants from the upper
districts and the Tip district gathered at the house of Hajji Mammad, an
elder of Khulug village, took active part in local events including the wed-
ding party of Hajji Mammad’s daughter, and decided to begin the revolt.
The news was sent to the villages. Hajji Mammad became the leader of the
revolt and his assistant was Yarali. The most motivated forces of the revolt
were the peasants. Furthermore, most of the beys belonging to the upper
group joined the revolt. Different levels of the urban population took an
active part in the revolt. The rebellious troops under the guidance of Yarali
captured the 22nd Don Regiment, consisting of 50 people. On August 28,
Khudat was captured. Hajji Mammad was appointed as khan. The number
of rebels was increasing. They gathered in Guba city, blockaded it on Au-
gust 30, and during a meeting held there, decided to attack the city. How-
ever, the rebels failed to realize their attack plan quickly. After removing
Gimbut, the garrison consisted of 600 people under the leadership of Major
Ishshenkov, acting governor of Guba district who began to take protective
measures. The idea was put forth to mobilize additional forces for fighting
against the rebels. General Reut arrived at the Samur River with 550 people
equipped with two guns, but he could not go forward and returned. At the
beginning of September, by the order of chief governor of Russian troops in
Caucasus, many forces were sent at the rebels. At this period, the number
of rebels was 12,000.
Hajji Mammad applied to the people of Guba by letter and after being
reassured of their help, he began an attack at midnight on September 5. The
rebels were divided into three groups. On September 5, the first and second
group attacked from the east and west, but they met with strong artillery
fire, which made it impossible to climb the castle walls. About 1000 rebels
from the third group of Yarali entered the city via the mountain pass, oc-
cupied the building of the city court, and proceeded to the central square.
But the rebels were subjected to artillery fire and continued to resist
with the urban population by going in different directions. Well-equipped
Russian soldiers managed to break the resistance of the rebels and fought
through the night to occupy the city of Guba for the second time after 1806.
They also attacked the group of rebels near the castle walls on September
10. The rebels failed due to the unexpected attack of the enemy. The forces
helping the Russian garrison in Guba took an active part in suppressing the
revolt. The heads of the revolt and 43 active participants were arrested and
given over to the court. Hajji Mammad was executed, but Yarali hid.
Although the tsarists suppressed the Guba revolt in August-September
1837 and mercilessly punished its participants, agitation continued in the
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