Стр. 14 - Azərbaycan xalçaları

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vud Gazigumuglu captured Shamakhi and Surkhay khan.
A new government entity, a khanate, was established here.
Shamakhi khanate (1721 – 1735) . As soon as the khanate
was established, it was involved in a political fight. Russian
czar Peter I (1689 – 1725) used the pretext of trade to cru-
sade against the East, but the Russian forces suffered losses
in Shamakhi. Haji Davud appealed to the Ottoman govern-
ment for help. Haji Davud’s negotiations following his invi-
tation to Istanbul increased his authority. By decree of the
Sultan, an army was sent to the defense of Shamakhi. Fol-
lowing this situation, Surkhay khan left Shamakhi.
Peter I’s crusade and the division of Shirvan . Seeing the
changed political situation, Peter I decided to launch a cru-
sade, proclaiming a “Manifest” to justify the occupation.
Russian troops entered Derbent in 1722. However, Peter I
soon returned to Russia, although the army was supposed
to continue the occupation. The Safavid government was
unable to resist Russia due to Afghani attacks. Given this
situation, the Safavids negotiated with Russia, leaving Is-
mail bey in charge of negotiations.
The Ottoman government, however, preferred to retaliate
against Russia using armed forces. Russia expanded its oc-
cupational activities. On July 27,
1723, Baku was captured. To give
legal basis to the action, on Sep-
tember 12 a contract was signed in
St. Petersburg by the Iranian mes-
senger Ismayil. The Safavid gov-
ernment refused to recognize this
contract.
Peter I wanted to avoid war with
the Ottoman government. There-
fore, he tried to sign a contract
with the Ottoman government.
This contract was signed on July
12, 1724 in Istanbul, and as a con-
sequence Shirvan was divided.
The Ottoman government want-
ed to strengthen its position in the
lands under its rule. From this
point of view, Haji Davud’s efforts
to implement an independent
policy in Shirvan were unaccept-
able. Therefore, Haji Davud was
removed from authority in 1728
and Surkhay khan was appointed
in his place. On the other hand,
Russia was trying to strengthen
its positions in the invaded ter-
ritories of Shirvan. To implement
this policy, Peter I was trying to
relocate Armenians here. Due to
the czar’s November 1724 decree,
Armenians began to be relocated
onto the lands along the shores of
the Caspian Sea.
Nadir Gulu Khan Afshar, who
had Safavid authority, was able
to influence the situation and re-
moved Russia from the region
through the Rasht (1732) and
Ganja (1735) contracts signed with
Russia. Victories gained in the war
with the Ottoman government resulted in the removal of Ot-
toman forces as well. Thus an end was put to the division of
Azerbaijani lands in Shirvan. As a result of these victories,
Nadir Gulu Khan decided to restore his complete authority
and declared himself shah in 1736. The Safavid period of
Nadir shah abolished administrative-territorial division and
the Azerbaijani province stretched from Iravan to Derbent.
However, dissatisfaction with Nadir’s policy resulted in his
assassination. The empire collapsed after this assassination
and independent states and khanates were established in
Azerbaijan.
Khanates established in Shirvan’s territory . Historical Shir-
van has played a great role in the establishment of khanates.
Four khanates were formed here: Shamakhi, Guba, Derbent,
and Sheki. It was at this time that the Shirvan (Shamakhi)
khanate is discussed for the first time.
Shirvan (Shamakhi) khanate . Similar to other khanates of
Azerbaijan, the history of the Shamakhi khanate was rich
with political battles. A.A. Bakikhanov wrote that the popu-
lation of Shamakhi chose Haji Mahammadali Sufi Nabi oglu
Zernavai, who was supply deliverer. The sons of Asgar bey
Shirvanshah government. 15th century.
Source: Azərbaycan tarixi atlası. Bakı, 2007, s. 26
Map 1.