BAKU, DERBEND and LANKARAN KHANATES

BUILDING BACKGROUND
After the death of Nadir shah Afshar the independent khanates – Baku, Derbend and Lankaran
khanates were founded in the coastal lands of Caspian Sea. The centers of these khanates were
significant port cities for sea trade.

BAKU KHANATE
→ In the mid-1700s Baku khanate was established by Mirza Muhammad khan. He
strengthened central authority, enforced Baku fortress and developed the economy of khanate.
→ Baku khanate included Absheron peninsula and city of Baku.

In Middle East, Baku was known one of

the greatest craft and trade cities. As a port
city, Baku was well known for its sea-
trade. The major benefit of Baku was the
income from foreign trade – especially
exporting oil, salt and saffron.

→ As mentioned before, Guba khanate unified Baku khanate in 1767 by “marriage

diplomacy”. Restoring its independence after the death of Fatali khan of Guba, Baku khanate
encountered with clashes for the throne in 1789-92 . Huseyngulu khan (1792-1806) came to
power and accepted the authority and patronage of Russia over Baku khanate. However, it did
not last long. As the empress of Russian Empire – Katherine II (1762-96) died, Russian troops
left Azerbaijan.

DERBEND KHANATE
→ The founder of Derbend khanate was
Muhammadhusein khan. The taxes imposed
by Muhammadhusein khan were very hard for
Derbend inhabitants. Therefore, they
complained about their ruler to Fatali khan of Guba and asked for help. Taking the
inviting of Derbend people as an advantage, in 1759 Fatali khan launched
campaign and unified Derbend khanate to Guba. Derbend became one of the trade,
craft and economic centers of Guba khanate.

The khan of Darband was oppressing the people. He demanded taxes

forcibly and excessively. He punished those who were dissatisfied. The
injustice of khan increased the dissatisfaction of the people. To get rid of
this oppression Derbend people complained to Fatali khan of Guba and asked for
help.

XVIII century Russian historian

Mikhail Chulkov

LANKARAN KHANATE
● In the reign of Nadir shah Afshar Lankaran khanate had autonomy (internal independence).
After Nadir’s death, Jamaladdin Mirza beg (Gara khan) from Safavid dynasty proclaimed
Lankaran region as an independent khanate in the mid-1700s.
● The capital of khanate was Lankaran city that was surrounded with strong fortification walls.
● Jamaladdin Mirza beg or Gara khan took some steps for developing the khanate politically and
economically.
● For protecting Lankaran khanate from foreign attacks, Jamaladdin Mirza beg (Gara khan)
accepted the authority (patronage) of Guba khanate in 1785.

The economy of khanate mostly was

based on agriculture. Farming and
herding were the major activities of
people in Lankaran khanate.
Lankaran city was the center of
craft and trade. Located on the
coast of Caspian Sea, Lankaran
khanate had trade relations with Caucasian region,
 Middle East and Russia.
● After Jamaladdin Mirza beg (Gara khan) Mir Mustafa khan came to power.In his reign the
khanate became more powerful.

QUESTIONS and ACTIVITIES

1. Identify. Who were the founders of Baku, Derbend and Lankaran khanates ?

2. Define. What were major trade goods of Baku khanate ?

3. Compare. Write common features for Baku, Derbend and Lankaran khanates ?

4. Analyze. What can you say about foreign policy of Baku khanate ?

5. Explain. How was Derbend khanate unified by Guba ?

6. Define the historical facts according to the timeline below.