Shirvan

Shirvan ( Azerbaijani Shirvan ) is a historical region in Azerbaijan, which extends between the Caspian Sea and the Kura River.

History

The name of Shirvan first appeared at the time of the Sassanids as a name for the northern part of Caucasian Albania. After the Arab conquest, it became part of the Caliphate.

Between 799 and 1538 the area under the Shirvanshahs was self-employed. Among the most important urban centers of medieval Shirvan were Schabran on the northern slope of the extreme south-eastern spur of the Caucasus Mountains, and south of this mountain spur the city Shamakhi. In the Arabic works of the Middle Ages is also often of a town called Yazīdīya in Shirvan talk. The anonymous chronicle of Derbent reported that they have the Shirvanshah Abu Tahir Yazīd 918 rebuilt. The Arab geographer Yaqut al - Hamawi al- Rumi identified the city with Shamakhi, but Minorsky suggested that this is not quite exact, but Yazīdīya was the royal camp city in which the Shirvanshahs resided, according to the medieval geographers. She was a parasang of the old city Shamakhi away. According to the Chronicle of Derbent Yazīdīya 1045 was provided by the Shirvanshah Qubad ibn Yazīd for fear of the Turkish Oghuz with a massive stone wall, were attached to the iron gates. Shirvan at the time was also an important center of Persian culture. So here seemed the Persian poet Chaqani.

In the 18th century originated in Shirvan Khanate, whose rulers were tributary to Persia. During the Russo- Persian War, 1722-1723, the Russian army moved through the area. After the Treaty of Gulistan in 1813 it became part of the Russian Empire.

After the First World War 1918-1920 it belonged to the Republic of Azerbaijan, after the Soviet Union. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union Shirvan is part of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Population

The Shirvan population consists of various Turkish, Iranian and Caucasian peoples. Especially during the 11th century, there was an influx of Turkish Oghuz who changed the ethno-linguistic picture of the region. Today, the indigenous people kaukasischsprechende lives only as minorities in Shamakha, Shaki, Qabala and Oguz.

Economy

The region is known for its oriental carpets. There is also great to Baku oil fields.