13.

What do you think about the unification policy of some Azerbaijan

Khanates?

The unification policy of Azerbaijani khanates is tied with the name of Fatali Khan, the ruler
of Quba Khanate. Originally Quba Khanate was created by Huseynali Khan. Fatali Khan knew
that in order to become enough powerful to unite all the Khanates, he had to built a strong
base. That is why he ruled out the tax system in Quba Khanate and strengthened it
economically and financially. I think that this was the crucial moment, which later made his
progressive ideas somewhat possible.
The main part of unification policy by Fatali Khan began in 1759 with the capture of
Darband. The addition of Baku to his territory was easy because of the marriage diplomacy.
In 1767 Fatali Khan was already called the Hakim of Guba, Baku and Salyan. In that same
year he captured the Shamakhi khanate with the help of Sheki khanate. Later on he seized
the territory of Shamakhi khanate which belonged to Sheki. By occupying also some other
territories, Fatali Khan became the ruler of all the northwest khanates which made him very
powerful.
Fatali Khan had great plans about Karabakh khanate, but he knew that this khanate was also
powerful, since Ibrahim Khan the ruler of Karabakh allied with Kartli-Kahetian king. Fatali
Khan was defeated by the united power of karabakh and kartli’s troops. Finally, in 1774
Fatali Khan was defated in the battle of Gavdushan and escaped. He came to Russia and
offered the alliance. The main obstacle in the way Fatali kHna was Kartli-Kakhetian king,
who attempted to capture lands of Azerbaijan. The Russian army stopped Kartli king from
fully conquering Azerbaijan. Later, in 1789 Fatali Khan died while being on the meeting to
negotiate with Kartli king. Many suspect that Fatali Khan was poisoned by Kartli king Erekle
II. Thus, the progressive ideas and plans of Fatali Khan to unite the Azerbaijan failed, which
later made it easier for Russia to occupy some territories of Azerbaijan.
Tha unification of Khanates was very major for our future. The lack of centralized power
makes it easier for foreign states to come and occupy the parts of our country.