Стр. 12 - Azərbaycan xalçaları

10
din was defeated by the second Mongol invasion in 1213, follow-
ing which Azerbaijani lands remained under Mongol authority.
The thirteenth and fourteenth centuries were a difficult period
in Shirvan’s history. With the establishment of the Hulaki govern-
ment (1256 – 1357), Shirvan fell under their authority. Conflicts
between the Hulaki and Gizil Orda (created by the Batu khan)
hurt Shirvan badly. During 1340-1370s, the fight for superiority
among different political forces (Chobanis, Gizil Orda, and Jelair-
iler) in Shirvan intensified. The Shirvanshahs were able to protect
their authority despite the changing political situation. However,
this was not always the case. During the rule of the last Kesrani
ruler Husheng (1372/73 – 1382), he was killed as a consequence of
an uprising, and the founder of the Derbendid dynasty Ibrahim I
came to power.
During this entire period, especially during the first part of the
eleventh and twelfth centuries, the culture and art of Azerbaijan,
including Shirvan, reached significant achievements. Shirvan rul-
ers Menuchohr III and Akhsitan I acted as guardians of culture, in
addition to lending importance to economic development. Dur-
ing this period, an Azerbaijani poetry school was established un-
der the leadership of Abilule Ganjavi (1096 – 1159). The creative
works of Izzeddin Shirvani, Falaki Shirvani (1108 – 1145), Khagani
Shirvani (1121/2 – 1199), and others provide well-known samples
from this school. The works of Sheikh Nizami Ganjavi (1141 –
1209) remain some of the best of Azerbaijani poetry.
In addition to Shirvan’s acclaimed poetry, there were renowned
historical figures in fields such as law and astronomy, among oth-
ers. The development of architecture and city planning was one of
the markers of the period. The best samples of Azerbaijani archi-
tecture were built (or continued to be built) in this period, such as
the Muhammad Mosque (Siniggala, 1078, Mahammad Abubekr
oglu), the Maiden Tower (Masud David oglu), and others. The
construction of “Bayil gesr” (Bayil castle) remains one of the major
Different pile-weave
and flat-weave
carpets were woven
in Shirvan. A carpet
belonging to the 13th-
14th centuries is held
in the Turkish and
Islamic Art Museum
in Istanbul.
Khagani Shirvani (1126-1199).
Shah Mosque.
Shirvanshahs Palace. 15th century.