Khanate Period in Azerbaijan. Quba and Baku Khanates.
1.4. Quba Khanate
The Russian army occupied the Kuba Khanate during its march and expansion towards the Caspian regions. The Kuba Khanate was divided into two parts in terms of administration, thus two khanates, Kuba and Derbent Khanates, emerged within the Kuba Khanate. After Yekaterinan's death in 1796, the Russians left Derbend and these khanates were united again.
Internal conflicts and management struggles continued between the khanates until the Russians invaded these lands again. These throne fights weakened the khanates both economically and politically. Another point is that during the Fetha period, the Kuba Khanate was one of the most powerful khanates of Azerbaijan in terms of military and political terms. During the time of Fethalı Khan, the borders of the Kuba Khanate extended to the Ardabil, Shamakhi and Derbend Khanates. The Khanate tried to expand its domination area by taking advantage of the authority gap in the region. By capturing Derbent and Shamakhi, Fethali Khan succeeded in taking Baku under his influence. His successor, Şeyhali Khan, ruled the khanate until the Russian invasion. However, the administrative system established by Fethali Khan began to collapse during his lifetime.
After his death in 1789, Kuba turned into a small khanate. After the death of Fethalı Khan, Kuba was left to Sheikh Ali Khan by the Russians in 1790 and was administered by him until 1806. Thus, Quba was recently invaded by Russia. When Sheikh Ali Khan did not accept Russian rule, the existence of the Kuba Khanate was terminated in 1806.
1.5. Baku Khanate
Mainly settled in the Absheron peninsula, the Khanate bordered the Kuba Khanate from the north and the Shirvan Khanate from the northwest. Baku, the center of the Khanate, was the central port city of the Caspian Sea. The founder of the Baku Khanate, Mirza Muhammad Khan, was one of Nadir Shah's relatives and served in the Afshar palace for a while.
It was governed by local lords from the time of the Safavids. In 1723, Shafevi shah II. Tahmasip handed over the city to the Russians. The city was given back by the Russians in 1735 due to the struggle of the Turks against the Russians. In 1747, Mirza Muhammad was elected by the people and declared as the Khan of Baku. The Khanate was governed by the lineage descending from this Khan for 50 years.
The arrival of Russian representative A. Cherkasski to Baku was welcomed with respect. Even though it had such a relationship, Baku was a weak power and center politically and militarily. For this reason, Khan tried to have close relations with the Qajars. However, after a short time, it came under the influence of the Kuba Khanate, which was stronger politically and militarily. Later, Fatali Khan kept the Khanate under his control by marrying his sister to Melik Muhammed, the son of the weak-willed Mirza Muhammed Khan. Over time, in order to be protected from Russian invasions and to avoid falling under their domination, the Baku Khanate accepted the protection of the Ottoman Empire. The Ottoman administration also sent them valuable gifts.
Baku Khan Melik Muhammad Khan died on his way to pilgrimage in 1784. Instead of II. Mirza Muhammad Khan has passed away. The khanate became very weak due to internal strife. II. Mirza Muhammad Khan lost his throne twice. However, as a result of these conflicts, Hüseyin Kulu Khan took over the government. Despite the help of the Russians, Agha Muhammad Shah Qajar's Caucasian expeditions ensured that the Russians stayed away from these lands. After the death of Agha Muhammed Shah Qajar, Tsar Alexander I ascended to the Russian throne, paving the way for the occupation of the region.
Baku Khan Huseyin Kulu Khan's meeting with the Russian general Sisyanov in 1806 led to the general's murder, but he had to flee to Iran when he did not resist against the increasing Russian raids. On the other hand, General Bulgakov, one of the former khans, II. With the support of Mirza Muhammad Khan, he captured Baku in 1806 and then put an end to the existence of this Khanate. (Caferoğlu, 1940: 22) Baku Khanate was one of the most strategic port cities of Azerbaijan. During the reign of Hüseyin Kulu Khan, the khanate was earning significant income from both customs and oil, salt and khabaran trade.
