Стр. 13 - Azərbaycan xalçaları

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Azerbaijani carpets / SHIRVAN GROUP
architectural events of the time. In addition to Baku, castles and
other defense installations were built around the Absheron Penin-
sula.
New accomplishments in the field of decorative-applied arts
were achieved in Shirvan, and carpet weaving held a significant
place among them. Different pile-weave and flat-weave carpets
were woven in Shirvan. A carpet belonging to the 13th-14 th centuries
is held in the Turkish and Islamic Art Museum in Istanbul.
Shirvanshah Derbendid (1382-1538). The founder of the Derbendid
dynasty, Ibrahim I (1382 – 1417), was a well-known government
figure. To defend Shirvan against devastating wars, he was able to
establish relations with Teymur (1370 – 1405) and followed an in-
dependent policy after his death. The Shirvanshah ruler, Ibrahim,
tried to unite Azerbaijan. Using the uprising in Tabriz, he seized
the city in 1406.
There was a rivalry between Ibrahim I and another Azerbaijani
government, Garagoyunlular (1410 – 1468). A fight occurred in
1412 between Ibrahim I, who established connections with the She-
ki ruler and Kakheti czarist regime, and Gara Yusif (1410 – 1420). It
ended with Gara Yusif’s victory (Map 1).
Ibrahim I’s son Khalilullah I (1417 – 1462) did not want to submit
to the Garagoyunlular and therefore became closer to Teymur. This
intensified the relations between Shirvan and the Garagoyunlular
once again. Safavid, who joined the fight for political power, was
hostile towards the Shirvanshahs. The attack of the Safavid Sheikh
Junaid on Shirvan ended with his death.
The Shirvanshahs’ relations with the Akkoyunlu government
(1468 – 1501) (which replaced the Garagoyunlular) were good.
Akkoyunlu ruler Sultan Yaqub (1478 – 1490) assisted his father-in-
law Shirvanshah Farrukh Yasar’s (1462 – 1500) in the fight against
Safavid Sheikh Heydar. Sheikh Heydar was killed in the battle of
Teberseran.
The discord between the Shirvanshahs and the Safavids contin-
ued. Ismayil organized a crusade against Shirvan in 1500. It ended
with his victory over Shirvan. After gaining victory over Akkoyun-
lu Elvend Mirza (1499 – 1501) in the battle of Sharur, Ismayil en-
tered Tabriz, declared himself shah (1501 – 1524), and laid the foun-
dation of the Safavid government (1501 – 1736). With the aid of the
Galandar rebels in Shirvan, Shah Ismail’s son Tahmasib I (1524 –
1576) put an end to the existence of the Shirvanshah government in
1538. Attempts to restore statehood in Shirvan were unsuccessful.
Important developments occurred in the fields of culture and art
during the Shirvanshah Derbendid period as well. One of the most
famous architectural samples in the world, the Shirvanshah Palace
complex, was built in Baku’s Old City in the fifteenth century.
Shirvan Beylerbeyliyi. After the rule of the Shirvanshahs ended in
1538, the Shirvan Beylerbeyliyi rule was established as part of the
Safavid government. The first Beylerbeyi was Tahmasib I’s brother,
Elgas Mirza.
The most famous Beylerbeyi of Shirvan was Abdulla khan Ustajli
(1549 – 1566), from the Ustajli tribe. During the period of Abdulla
khan, the economic and agricultural life of Shirvan developed, and
the Beylerbeyi held an influential place in the government. During
the Safavid-Ottoman wars (1575 – 1590), the battle for Shirvan was
a major one. Although the Ottoman army captured Shirvan in 1578,
Shirvan was returned by the Safavids in 1581. However, Ottomans
captured Shirvan again in 1585 and were able to hold it until 1607.
Shirvan was eventually freed by Shah Abbas (1587 – 1629).
As the Safavid government became weaker in the late seventeenth
century and early eighteenth century, political activity increased
in Shirvan. Shamakhi turned into the center of battle against the
Safavids. A rebellion took place under the leadership of Haji Da-
vud from Guba’s Mushkur province. In August of 1721, Haji Da-
Coin minted in Shamakhi with the
name of Shirvanshah Khalilullah I.
Khurjunuzu (Saddlebag cover).
Zili. Wool. Flat-weave. 18th century.
Shirvan group. Azerbaijan.