Стр. 10 - Azərbaycan xalçaları

8
Shamakh ibn Shuja. Yazid ibn Mezyed esh-Sheybani was the ruler in 799 – 801.
After the death of Caliph Mutawakkil (847 – 861), Yazid’s grandchild, Shirvan’s
ruler Heysam declared its independence in 861.
With the restoration of the authority of the Arab Caliphate, Islamic religion
was spread in Shirvan as it was throughout Azerbaijan. As a result of the Caliph-
ate’s policy, agriculture flourished, craftsmanship and trade improved, and cities
developed. At this point, the second period of Shirvanshah history began: the
Mezyedi period.
Shirvanshah Mezyedi (861 – 1027). As a result of the freedom movement (816 –
837) under the leadership of Babek in Azerbaijan, the fight for authority, and oth-
er factors, the Arab Caliphate weakened. Taking advantage of this situation, local
rulers attempted to achieve freedom. The Shirvanshah Mezyedi gained freedom
in this way. A little while later, another new government, the Sajid government
(879 – 941), was established in southern Azerbaijan. Then the Salaris government
(941 – 981) replaced the Sajid government. After the Salari government was dis-
solved, the Sheddadi (971 – 1075) and Revvadi governments emerged.
The Shirvanshahs minted coins under their name as an attribute of an inde-
pendent government. During Mezyedi authority, the battle to seize Derbent, which was ruled by the Hashemite dynasty,
began. During the period of Muhammad ibn Yazid (881 – 912), Khursan and Derbent were seized. Teberseran was absorbed
into Shirvan. Barda, Gabala, and other cities became subject to Shirvan. The Sajid, and then the Salari, achieved vassal de-
pendence in Shirvan. After Arab rule, the creation of Shirvanshah’s Mezyedi government
led to the development of cities, trade, and cultural life.
Shirvanshah Kesrani (1027 – 1382). The name of this period, Kesrani, is somewhat pro-
visional. The beginning of this era coincides with the authority of Menuchohr I (1027 –
1034). Menuchohr I faced foreign attacks even at the beginning of his rule. Although Slavs
attacked and defeated the Shirvanshahs in 1030, a year later a battle near Baku ended in
victory for the Shirvanshahs. However, in 1032, Serirs and Alans attacked Shirvan.
Following the emergence of the Seljuk government (1038 – 1157), crusades into Azer-
baijani lands, including Shirvan, expanded. During the 1030s, the Oghuz came to Shirvan.
Major crusades, however, occurred mostly during the rule of Feriburz I (1063 – 1096). In
1066, the Oghuz began crusading against Shirvan. Feriburz I was able to prevent new
crusades by offering the Oghuz compen-
sation.
During the latest period of Feriburz
I’s authority, Shirvan’s political position
strengthened. Political growth contin-
ued until the Mongolian invasions in the
1220s. Shirvan-Georgia relations strength-
ened during this period. Georgian rulers
David IV (1089 – 1125) and his son Deme-
trius I used this opportunity to organize devastating attacks against Shir-
van lands. Coming to power in this period, Menuchohr III (1120 – 1159)
grew close with the Georgians. This political attitude strained relations
between Shirvanshah and the Seljuk government, and the Seljuks attacked
Shirvan in 1123. Menuchohr III was arrested for refusing to pay taxes to the
sultan. Using Shirvan’s difficult political situation, David IV organized a
new crusade. However, he died shortly thereafter. Menuchohr III restored
his authority. As a whole, Shirvan-Georgian relations were wide-ranging
and involved only the heads of government.
Concurrent with the Shirvanshah government, the Atabey government
was established in 1136 in southern Azerbaijan. In the beginning, Shirvan-
Atabey relations were tense. After the death of Menuchohr III, the situation
changed during the rule of Akhistan I (1160 – 1196/97) who came to power
with the help of Eldegiz. The earthquake in Shamakhi in 1192 shattered
the socio-economic and political growth of Shirvan during his period and
Baku became the central city.
Before the Shirvanshahs government could reestablish its authority, it
faced a new danger: Mongolian attacks. Shamakhi was destroyed during
the Mongolian crusades of 1220.
Following the departure of the Mongolians from Azerbaijan after the
first crusade, a new danger emerged in Kharezmshah Jalaleddin, which
ended the existence of the Atabey government. Feriburz III (1225– 1242/43)
was able to achieve stability at the expense of taxes. Kharezmshah Jalaled-
Zili. Wool. Flat-weave. 17th century.
Shirvan group. Shamakhi. Dag
Kolani village. Azerbaijan.
Helmet of
Shirvanshah Farrukh Yasar.
Ali Mahammadoglu – Bronze luleyin.
1206. Shirvan.