Khanate of Kazi-Kumukh
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Khanate of Kazi-Kumukh – Lak state that was established in present-day Dagestan
after the disintegration of Shamkhalate of Kazi-Kumukh
in 1642. After the transfer of capital of Shamkhalate to Tarki, in Kazi-Kumukh
the people's assembly or parliament
known as "Qat" remained in power. Executive power
belonged to "Qatlil Kunisri" — a supreme counsel that elected a first ruler with the title "Khalklavchi".
there was formed an alliance of "jama'ats" of all "magals", directed against the unlimited power of local feudals. In 1700 ruler Alibek II dies.
. The council of chiefs elect Surkhay-Bek (1680–1748), son of Garey-Bek, son of Khalklavchi Alibek II from Shamkhal family that remained in Kazi-Kumukh, as a new ruler.
Surkhay-Khan I, cutting down the rights of jama'ats and abolishing the autonomy of magals, established a unified Lak state with a strong central power. Surkhay-Khan I forms regular army and sets political alliences with other societies of Dagestan such as: Upper Tabasaran, Kura, Agul, Rutul, Djaro-Balakan, Tsudakhar and Andalal.
. At the same time revolts blazed up in Mugan and Tabriz. In Azerbaijan Haji-Dawud starts a revolt and seeks the support of Dagestani rulers.
In 1710 an agreement was signed between Khanate of Kazi-Kumukh and Khanate of Avaria, that stipulated questions of extradition of criminals and proclaimed a political-military alliance : "your enemy – is our enemy, and our enemy – is your enemy". In 1711 prince Alexander Bekovich-Cherkassky
arrived in Dagestan to gain support of Dagestani rulers in a war between Russia and Iran.
In 1711 part of southern Dagestan was under Persian rule. Shah's troops controlled Derbent and Tabasaran. Shia-Sufic Persia waged an ideological and political war against Sunni Shirvan
and Dagestan
. In Dagestan Surkhay-Khan I encourages people to fight Persian heretics.
free from the rule of Qizilbashes and lays siege to Ganja
. Ahmed-Khan and Haji-Dawud capture distant Ardebil in Persia. Ardebil was a spiritual centre of Sufism and Qizilbashes. Surkhay-Khan I, Haji-Dawud and Ahmed-Khan inflicted a devastating blow to Ardebil, where Dagestani army pranged the whole city, and subjected Sufis to large extermination. Conflict of Dagestan with Persian expansion was to a large extent religious.
invaded Dagestan. Surkhay-Khan I the Conqueror vigorously tries to force the Russian troops out of seashore territories of Dagestan. The military power of the Khan of Kazi-Kumukh was much less in comparison with the epoch of Shamkhalate. In 1722 Afghans headed by Mir Mahmud capture Isfahan. Shah Sultan Husain was taken captive and his son Tahmasp II fled to northlands of Persia.
In 1723 armies of Surkhay-Khan I and other rulers of Dagestan capture Tbilisi
banishing Vakhtang VI of Kartli
who intended to cooperate with Peter I with his army. Next, Dagestanis moved to Armenia
and ransacked its capital Yerevan
. After taking over Yerevan, the army of Dagestan captured Karabakh
. Archbishop of Karabakh Isa Hasan Jalalan wrote that "people mixed with the huge herds of cows and horses ran away from Surkhay, but Surkhay overtook them". Colonel Alexander Komarov writes: "In 1723 September 12, Shah Tahmasp had ceded to Russia the whole Caspian region from Astrabad to Sulak, however Kazi-Kumukh was not included here. The merit of Kazi-Kumukh reached a high degree in Dagestan".
In 1724 Surkhay-Khan I of Kazi-Kumukh refused to acknowledge the extension of Ferhat Pasha Treaty according to which Persia convinced that Shirvan was lost, passed it to Turkey
. Political influence of Surkhay-Khan I in the region at this time was big. Surkhay-Khan I considered Shirvan a territory conquered by Dagestanis from Persia and demanded from Turkey to hand Shirvan over to his rule. Turkey refused the request of Surkhay-Khan I and appointed Haji-Dawud as the ruler of Shirvan. Surkhay-Khan I, Ahmed-Khan and Nutsal of Avaria began ransacking Shirvan and neighbouring territories. This continued one whole year.
In the same year, the Dagestani army that included the rulers of Kazi-Kumukh, Avaria, Kaitag, Tabasaran, Mekhtula and Tarki carried out a united attack on Russian garrison in Dagestan. The army of highlanders besieged and stormed a fortress built by Peter I.
in the south of Shirvan
, covering a significant part of lands of southern Dagestan and Shirvan.
Surkhay-Khan I made Shemakha his residence and as a far-sighted ruler of Shirvan cared for the development of sciences. He invited to Shemakha a whole group of the Dagestani scholars among whom were Damadan Megebski and Rahman Kuli Akhtinski for meeting with other scholars. At the direction of Surkhay-Khan I, Islamic school was opened in Shemakha where he appointed a prominent scholar of the time Muhammad Ubrinski as chairman. Surkhay-Khan I built in Shirvan fortresses, roads and opened schools at mosques. In honour of Surkhay-Khan I coins were minted in Shemakha.
Khanate of Kazi-Kumukh in this period of time was one of the most influential political formations not only in Dagestan but in the entire Eastern Caucasus as well. In 18th century Kazi-Kumukh becomes the centre of international politics in the Eastern Caucasus.
As historian Gusaynov writes: "As early as July 1730 Shah of Persia offered to Surkhay-Khan I a position of Persian viceroy and deputy in Shemakha. Likewise offered him to be the ruler of Shirvan and Dagestan under the protectorate of Persia". Surkhay-Khan I refused each time as he valued his independence.
In 1732 an agreement was signed between Russia and Persia where Russia gave to Persia areas of Gilan and Mazandaran. Shirvan and Dagestan remained after Persia. In 1733 Nader
, a commander-in-chief of the Persian army, defeated the Turkish army near Baghdad
. Accordingly Turkey was transferring to Persia several provinces including Shirvan. General Nader sent his messenger to Surkhay-Khan I of Shirvan demanding him to abandon Shirvan immediately. Surkhay-Khan I this time killed the messenger and wrote to Nader a letter saying that "Shirvan was conquered by the swords of Dagestani lions and not given to him by Turkey as a gift, and that neither Sultan of Turkey nor Ahmed of Baghdad have the right to request from him to hand over this territory". Surkhay-Khan I reflected in his policy the bellicosity of Dagestanis and Shirvanis who were categorically against the takeover of Shirvan by Persians.
entered Shirvan. Nader passed the siege of Shemakha to part of his army and moved to the mountains of Dagestan
. Another part of his army was also in the direction of Derbent
. Surkhay Khan I was forced to retreat from Shemakha to the city of Qabala
.
On the orders of the ruler of Ganja, Ali-Pasha, the highlanders of Djaria, units of Ali-Sultan of Tsakhur, Mustafa-Pasha, Nur-Pasha and Fetkh-Girey Sultan came to assist Surkhay-Khan I with 8 thousand men. The army of Surkhay-Khan I met with Nader in the township of Deve-Batan where highlanders and the Turks were defeated in view of strong enemy artillery and other failures. The Persians were victorious in Khachmaz
as well, where there was a large fortress built by Surkhay-Khan I. Overcoming the resistance of defenders, Persians captured Kurakh.
Using an important artillery, Nader stormed the positions of Surkhay-Khan I at Koysu river for three days and arrived in Kazi-Kumukh
. General-in-chief V. Y. Levashov wrote: "Surkhay was not able to resist the great cannon-fire". Surkhay-Khan I, according to the "Chronicle of Wars of Djaria", retreated to Andalal.
Khazbulat-Bek of Tarki arrived in Kazi-Kumukh to general Nader and according to the ancient tradition crowned himself as Shamkhal. In view of coronation Nader did not ruin Kazi-Kumukh. Nader appointed Muhammad-Bek, the youngest son Surkhay-Khan I, his deputy in Kazi-Kumukh and then marched against Abdullah-Pasha who was standing with Turkish forces near Erevan.
Surkhay-Khan I found an ally, Eldar of Kazanish. Eldar, Ahmed-Khan of Kaitag and Surkhay-Khan I of Kazi-Kumukh had a meeting in Kazanish and came to a decision to remove Khazbulat-Shamkhal and appoint Eldar as the ruler of Tarki. Turkish Sultan ordered Crimean Khan
Kaplan-Girey to move to Derbent. Not far from Derbent a battle took place between the Crimean army and a detachment of Khazbulat-Shamkhal who was aided by Iranian army left with him. Troops of Utsmi Ahmed-Khan with the people of Akusha and troops of Surkhay-Khan I fought on the side of the Crimean army. Khazbulat-Shamkhal was defeated and in his place was put his cousin Eldar. Crimean Khan named Eldar as a new Shamkhal of Tarki. These events were behind the second invasion of Dagestan by Nader of Persia.
In December 1735 Nader marched with his army to Majalis destroying many villages in the district of Akusha-Dargo. "People of Akusha stubbornly defended themselves, but were defeated", noted Bakikhanov. Surkhay-Khan I, Eldar of Kazanish and Ahmed-Khan of Kaitag retreated. Nader with the army moved further to Kala-Koreish, the capital of Kaitag Utsmiate. The Persian army besieged the fortress and offered the Utsmi to lay down his arms. Utsmy was forced to surrender "with honorable individuals". Utsmi gave his daughter in marriage to Husein Ali-Khan, the ruler of Quba. Tabasarans and Lezgins also recognized the authority of Nader, giving him hostages from the honorable families.
Nader wishing to defeat Surkhay-Khan I invaded Kazi-Kumukh for a second time. Surkhay-Khan I with all his forces took his defensive positions in a gorge of Dursakh, not far from Kazi-Kumukh where a bloody battle with Nader took place. Iranian historian Muhammed Kazim wrote that 30 thousand army of Nader attacked a 10 thousand army of Surkhay-Khan I. "In the midst of the battle, brave and courageous Surkhay rushed into the center of the fighting". The battle was bloody. "Land has been painted with blood as Jaihun". Surkhay-Khan I retreated to Andalal. Historian Jones wrote that "the fierce sea of the conqueror’s army turned its waves on habitats and fields of Kumukh, and possessions of all the inhabitants of this place were destroyed". Muhammad-Bek came to Kazi-Kumukh and from the influential persons of Lakia recognized the authority of Nader, who after looting the Lak villages refused to march to Andalal.
Second campaign for Nader was successful. In 1736 in Mugan, Nader was solemnly crowned the Shah of Iran.
In 1737 Nader-Shah with the army marched to Afghanistan and appointed his brother Ibrahim-Khan as a commander-in-chief and supreme ruler of Dagestan and Azerbaijan. Surkhay-Khan I, Ahmed-Khan and Eldar uniting their armies attacked the fortress of Derbent, defeated the army of Mehdi-Khan and then captured Old Shemakha and executed all the feudal class in Shemakha, the proteges of Nader-Shah. Murtazali-bek, the son of Surkhay-Khan I, headed the grand invasion of Transcaucasia by Dagestanis. The highlanders reached Tiflis and Karabakh, besieged Nukha, took the fortress of Aresh and kept Iranian garrisons in the blockade "from Tiflis to Karabakh and ending by Shaki and Shirvan". By the end of 1737 at the cost of large losses, Ibrahim-Khan managed to oust Dagestanis.
In 1738 there were new anti-Persian revolts in Shirvan and Dagestan. During tax collection, the population of Djaro-Balakan under the leadership of the elders Ibrahim-Diwan and Mohammed-Khalil, with the support of the rulers of Dagestan, organized an uprising. Surkhay-Khan I appealed to the people of Dagestan to rise up against the Persian invasion. Under the banners of Murtazali-Bek rose all the population of Laks able to carry weapons. Armies of other Dagestani rulers assembled too. Dagestani army in a gorge of Djaro-Balakan dealt a crushing defeat to the Shah's army of Ibrahim-Khan: 32 thousand Persian army was wiped out. Ibrahim-Khan was killed himself.
Preparing for further war with Persia, Surkhay-Khan I receives financial support from Turkey.
The Persian army moved in two columns: first of them, headed by Nader-Shah himself, moved from Qabala through Shakh-Dag to Kazi-Kumukh. The second, headed by Lutf Ali-Khan and Gaidar-Bek, moved from Derbent to Kaitag, Bashli and Djengutai, which was the capital of Mekhtula Khanate, from where it had to invade Avaria through Aimaki gorge.
Persians faced fierce battles in Bashli, Dubek and Tabasaran. People of Kaitag headed by Utsmi blocked the way of Persian army under the command of Gaidar-Bek, "annihilated a lot of people, took their horses and other property". Ruler of Mekhtula Ahmed-Khan survived the first attack of Lutf Ali-Khan under Djengutai. It is written that "Surkhay-Khan I sent to all the cities of Dagestan his messengers requesting to come with an army". Nader "almost lost his life and despite his fearlessness was forced to hide in a ditch from bullets". Muhammed Kazim, historian of Nader-Shah, writes: "in a battle with Surkhay, Nader's hand was injured", and "the troops of Surkhay kept on firing from guns for two hours and all the 20 thousand shooters of Khorasan and Turkestan abandoned this world". Enraged Nader that day killed several of his prominent military leaders. At the cost of many lives, Persians managed to overcome the defences of Surkhay-Khan I who retreated into the mountains. Russian resident I. P. Kalushkin in the camp of Nader-Shah, an eyewitness of those events wrote that "on the orders of the Shah the soldiers do not leave anyone alive, all are killed outright".
Ahmed-Khan of Mekhtula retreated to Avaria through Aimaki gorge. The Persians with great effort captured Akusha. Utsmi Ahmed-Khan retreated to Kubachi and after fierce resistance was forced to surrender.
Further on, Nader-Shah three times without success stormed the Lak village of Kuli. After capturing Kuli and Khosrekh the Persians, as in Kaitag and Kura, dealt with people with brutality. A fierce battle took place near the Lak village of Shovkra, where a detachment of seven thousand soldiers of Surkhay-Khan I sustained losses. Surkhay-Khan I retreated to the fortress of Kazi-Kumukh. The assault on Kazi-Kumukh began in August 1741. Kazi-Kumukh was surrounded by a dense ring of Persian army. In a week, a seventy years old Surkhay-Khan I decided to surrender and took some time to negotiate it, thus distracting Persians from the troops of his two sons, Muhammad-Bek and Murtazali-Bek, who were breaking out of encirclement. Surkhay-Khan I sent his sons with five thousand army to Andalal, large sums of money and letters to prominent leaders to organize a new resistance against Qizilbashes. From all over Dagestan highlanders began to flow down to Andalal.
and Little Russia
. He headed the battle of highlanders in Djaro-Balakan region: Murtazali-Khan personally in the battle split the head of Ibrahim-Khan. Murtazali-Khan was married to the daughter of Muhammad-Kadi of Sogratl.
To help the defenders volunteers continued to flow down from all parts of Dagestan. In the beginning Persians gained few victories and moved up to Sogratl. Murtazali-Khan at the head of Khunzakh regiment moved to Sogratl in Andalal. Large army of Persians marching toward Sogratl was stopped in the area of Hitsib where unfolded one of the fiercest battles. Four days and four nights passed in heavy battles. Persian army perished almost entirely. In Aymaki gorge the second column of Persian army marching from Djengutai to Andalal to help Nader, was subjected to a large carnage. Dagestani army led by two sons of Surkhay-Khan I, Murtazali-Khan and Muhammad-Bek, Ahmed-Khan of Mekhtula, and by religious leaders of Sogratl and Chokh gained victory. By night of September 28 Nader-Shah hastily retreated from Andalal, where 40 thousand Persians perished, according to I. Kalushkin.
In view of this Kalushkin reported that "Persians retreated in such an accelerating march that can rightly be counted as a desertion" and "Shah was so cruelly beaten that he was forced to turn back three times to defend himself". Highlanders defeated the Shah's army under the command of Lutf Ali-Khan, Gaidar-Bek, Jalal-Khan and Nader-Shah himself. Murtazali-Bek pursued retreating Persians up to Derbent where Nader-Shah decided to hold his defence. Day and night Dagestanis carried out raids on the Persian camp. The place afterwards began to be named as "Iran kharab", or destruction of Iran. As it is written: "Salutes were given In Istanbul. In Petersburg people could not conceal their joy".
In 1742 Nader-Shah decided to use the authority of his captive Surkhay-Khan I who was an old gray-haired man so that he might persuade his son Murtazali and other leaders to surrender and be in the Persian service, promising rewards. Murtazali-Khan later died from injuries sustained in the battle.
At the beginning of 1743 Nader-Shah with bits and pieces of his hungry and ragged army finally abandons Dagestan.
. Turkey promised to support, as Turkish minister wrote: "When the mentioned prince will be firmly established on the stolen throne of his ancestors, then he will give back previously under our rule states of Shirvan, Ganja, Tiflis and Yerevan". Muhammad-Khan was the strongest ally of Turkey in the Eastern Caucasus. Claims of Sefi-Mirza to the throne led to strife in Persia.
The army of Muhammad-Khan approached the city of Shabran where the Shah's troops were located. The siege was long and bloody. Muhammad-Khan blew up the walls of the town with mines and took the city by assault. The whole city was subjected to destruction and ransacked. Abdal Gani-Khan Afghani, a general of Nader-Shah, was strongly defending his position, however Muhammad-Khan managed to capture the fortress of Shabran and beheaded him. Later Muhammad-Khan married his daughter Istajalu. Nader-Shah used to send Abdal Gani-Khan in the most risky expeditions. Surkhay-Khan I lost him the battle in Deve-Batan. Muhammad-Khan moved further and captured Agsu
, the new capital of Shirvan.
During 1743-1745 Muhammad-Khan ruled Shirvan. Muhammad-Khan was not able to go deep into the Persian territory. Sefi-Mirza ran away. In 1745 Nasrula-Mirza, son of Nader-Shah, after sustaining three defeats led the Shah's army of 15 thousand against Muhammad-Khan in a neighbourhood of Agsu, whereupon Muhammad-Khan injured in a bloody fight returned to Kazi-Kumukh. Shah's army once again occupied Derbent and Tabasaran.
Gadjiev V. writes that in 1747 "Shah decided to punish Muhammad-Khan by all means. However afterwards, as a result of revolution in the palace, Nader-Shah was killed". In Persia it was said: "If Shah is foolish – he will wage a war on Dagestan". As the Georgian historian Vakhushti had written: "Nader-Shah was not able to defeat the Dagestanis as he wished".
In 1748 Surkhay-Khan I died in Kazi-Kumukh. His grave is located in the cemetery of Khans near the mosque built by him. Surkhay-Khan I lived 68 years and from them 40 years he conducted a continuous war against Persian dominion in the Caucasus. In memory of his battles, two rivers "Cholak" and "Legva" were named in Turkey.
The mother of Surkhay-Khan I was called Umamat, she was a sister Omar-Khan of Avaria. Daughter of Surkhay-Khan I was married to the son of the Khan of Avaria. Muhammad-Khan had three wives. The first wife was the daughter of Khasbulat-Shamkhal of Tarki, from her he had four sons. Second wife was the daughter of Tishsiz-Bammat of Kazanish, the Khan of Mekhtula Khanate, and had one son from her. Third wife was Istajalu, the daughter of Abdal Gani-Khan.
The influence of Fatali-Khan of Quba greatly increased in Azerbaijan. Soon Shemakha was taken over by Fatali-Khan who also added the Derbent Khanate and Kura region of southern Dagestan to his Khanate of Quba. Eldar-Bek of Kazi-Kumukh, son of Murtazali-Khan, as a result of a quarrel with his uncle fled from Kazi-Kumukh to Fatali-Khan. Shahmardan-Bek, son of Muhammad-Khan, also left Kazi-Kumukh and came to Fatali-Khan. Muhammad-Khan rendered his preference to Surkhay-Bek, "born from the daughter of Abdal Gani-Khan".
In 1770 Fatali-Khan managed to organize an anti-Kazikumukh coalition and involved in it Shamkhal of Tarki and Eldar-Bek of Kazi-Kumukh who planning to become the ruler of Kazi-Kumukh, marched with the army of Quba on Muhammad-Khan. In a battle that took place near Khosrekh village in Lakia, Muhammad-Khan had a victory. In subsequent years, Fatali-Khan found himself in conflict with Utsmi of Kaitag and Nutsal of Avaria.
In 1774 as Hasan Al-Kadari writes: "The emirs of Dagestan decided to wage a war on Fatali-Khan and punish him". An anti-Quba coalition was formed which included Muhammad-Khan of Kazi-Kumukh, Utsmi Emir Khamza of Kaitag, Ali Sultan-Khan of Mekhtula Khanate, Umma-Khan of Avaria, Kazi-Rostam of Tabasaran and Tishsiz-Bammat of Kazanish who undertook an invasion of Quba Khanate. Big battle took place in the Gevdusha valley where Fatali-Khan suffered a complete defeat and retreated to Salyan. Mahammad-Khan took possession of Kura and Quba Khanate and added them to Kazi-Kumukh Khanate.
In 1775 March 4, general Frederick Medem crossed over Terek river and moved against the ruler of Kaitag who was defeated. Fatali-Khan marched to Quba Khanate against Muhammad-Khan who in view of a strong opponent retreated to Kura. Russian troops entered Derbent. Then general Medem marched to Kura where he defeated Muhammad-Khan, who eventually retreated to Kazi-Kumukh.
In 1776 Russian army was recalled from Dagestan as "Fatali-Khan reconciled his disputes with the Khan of Kaitag, Khan of Kazi-Kumukh and the ruler of Tabasaran".
In 1785 Umma-Khan (1774–1801) invaded Georgia and subsequently received tribute from Georgian king Erekle II
.
In 1789 after the death of Muhammad-Khan, his son Surkhay-Bek becomes the ruler of Kazi-Kumukh Khanate. The same year Fatali-Khan of Quba died too. Unification of territories in Azerbaijan carried out by Fatali-Khan quickly dissolved.
Surkhay-Khan II had two wives: the first was Lak and from her there were four sons and a daughter, the second wife was Avar, the widow of his brother Shahmardan-Bek and sister of Avar Khans: Omar-Khan (Umma-Khan) and Ahmed Sultan-Khan. "Daughter of Surkhay-Khan II, Gul Andash-Khanum, was married to Mustafa-Khan of Shirvan, a relative of Surkhay-Khan II". Ahmed-Khan Sultan of Tsakhur, son of Alkhaz-Bek, was married to the daughter of Surkhay-Khan II. Sultan of Elisu Daniyal-Bek was grandson of Surkhay-Khan II.
Surkhay-Khan II once again took under his rule Kurakh village and other territories of southern Dagestan: people of Samur region and Rutul appealed to Surkhay-Khan II with a request to help them against the continuous attacks of southern neighbours. Surkhay-Khan II did not allow his nephew Aslan-Bek to inherit the region of Kura from his father Shahmardan-Bek. Aslan-Bek fled and later began to seek Russian support.
In 1792 Surkhay-Khan II concluded an agreement with Mustafa-Khan of Shirvan, to capture Khanate of Shaki
and divide it among themselves. Muhammad Hasan-Khan of Shaki repelled the attack of allies.
to the border with Georgia
. Total annual revenue of Lak Khan during the rule of Surkhay-Khan II (1789–1826) was estimated by Butkov at "80 thousand roubles".
Major-General Fedor Akhverdov of Kizlyar
fortress had given interesting information about internal order of Kazi-Kumukh Khanate: "Khan is strict in applying the law, his territories are quite vast, the word thief does not exist so that our Armenian merchants with silk and other staff once arrived drop their goods in the street near the house where they have accommodation and send the horse in the field and no one touches them. His subjects have abundant cattle breeding, particularly in sheep flocks, large wheat harvest and silk production too".
The provincial governments were ruled by jama'ats (men over 15), the chiefs (marts arantal - honorable men), judge (qadi), herald (mangush, chaush, mukhchi) and executor (yalurzu). Constabulary functions were carried out by Khan's troops. The politics of Khanate was regulated by a supreme counsel at the court (divan) of the Khan, where chief advisers (viziers), qadis, sheiks and other clerics took part. Families of the lateral branches of the Khan's house elected army generals and commanders who also participated in the meetings of the court.
In 1795 the new Shah of Iran Qajar Aga-Mohammed
announced his claims on the Caucasian territories. Shah sent his "firmans" in which under the threat of extermination he demanded subordination from neighboring Khans. Azerbaijani rulers appealed to Russia to accept their allegiance.
In 1796 Catherine II of Russia
sent general Valerian Zubov
for further conquest of Southern Dagestan. General Zubov in a short time seized Quba Khanate
and laid siege to Derbent. Shikh Ali-Khan of Derbent sent his family to Kazi-Kumukh and proceeded to defend the city.
After three months of siege, Derbent was captured and Shikh Ali-Khan taken captive. Later, Shikh Ali-Khan escaped from captivity and came to Surkhay-Khan II. After the death of Catherine II, Russian troops pulled out of Southern Dagestan. Surkhay-Khan II with 15 thousand army advanced to Quba
and with a sudden attack inflicted considerable losses to battalion of lieutenant Bakunin near Alpan
village. Major-General Bulgakov, Hasan-Khan of Quba, Sobolev with Utsmi Mehdi-Khan, son of Shamkhal and Kazi-Rostam of Tabasaran marched against Surkhay-Khan II who fortified himself near Samur river, but was surrounded and after 9 days of negotiations had to give an oath of allegiance to Russia.
Turkey being displeased at the results of its agreement with Russia started preparations for returning to Caucasus. Turkey once again sends its emissaries to the Khans of Lakia and Avaria with large sums of money asking for allience against Russia. Surkhay-Khan II, in the interests of independence of his state, becomes the ally of Turkey. Umma-Khan of Avaria initially refused to be the ally of Turkey and held talks with Russia that requested him to refuse tribute from Georgia.
Ali Kayaev writes that in 1797 Surkhay-Khan II gave decisive battles in Karachay-Cherkessia
. In the memory of those events there remained villages of Surkhayli and Lakshukay.
In 1800 November 7, near Iori river a major battle took place between the Russian-Georgian squad under the command of Major-General Gulyakov and the host of Umma-Khan of Avaria.
In 1803 the night of Octobers 22, Surkhay-Khan II with an army of 8 thousand Dagestanis crossed river Alazani
and attacked the detachment of Kabardian grenadier battalion of Tiflis regiment under the command of Major-General Gulyakov who succeeded in repelling the attack. Yermilov
wrote: "Surkhay-Khan II of Kazi-Kumukh is the most cunning of Muslim rulers". Gordin Y. A. wrote that " Surkhay-Khan II is one of the strongest rulers in Dagestan".
Surkhay-Khan II though at times gave an oath in writing, flatly refused to sign the treaty of the Russian Tsar.
At the beginning of 1811 Nukh-Bek, also son of Surkhay-Khan II, gained victory at the fortress of Tsakhur. From Derbent general Glazenap equipped special expedition for capturing Surkhay-Khan II. Tsarist command in the Caucasus was using political and military measures to break the resistance Surkhay-Khan II and Shikh Ali-Khan of Derbent. Both rulers had been repeatedly defeated by Russians, swore allegiance to them and violated it.
In December 1811 the army of Nukh-Bek and Shikh Ali-Khan undertook an attack on Quba, where at Gustav village a battle took place with general Khatunsev. Surkhay-Khan II retreated to his stronghold in Kurakh. In 1811 December 15, generals Guryev and Khatuntsev besieged the fortress of Kurakh. The defense of a front tower Surkhay-Khan II gave to forty men from Muchiyan district of Lakia under the command of Chopan from Khaikhi. Highlanders repelled enemy assaults with well-aimed fire. At midnight the tower collapsed under heavy cannon-fire and hand-to-hand combat started. Kurakh was captured. Surkhay-Khan II with remains of his army returned to Kazi-Kumukh. General Khatuntsev passed the management of Kurakh, the capital of Kura region, to Aslan-Bek, son of Shahmardan-Bek.
, the commander-in-chief of Caucasian Army, general Khatuntsev began negotiations with Surkhay-Khan II demanding him to surrender and give out Nukh-Bek and Shikh Ali-Khan as ransom of trust (amanat). Surkhay-Khan II refused to follow any of the requests. In July 1812, Khatuntsev marched to Richa village and then moven on to Kazi-Kumukh, but suffered a big defeat from the Khan's army near the Lak village of Khosrekh. Khatuntsev undertook an attack on Kazi-Kumukh a second time, however Surkhay-Khan II started negotiations and sent his son Murtazali-Bek who brought to Khatuntsev a letter of oath, signed and sealed by his father. In May 1813 Surkhay-Khan II attacked the Kurakh garrison, but was repelled by Aslan-Bek and returned to Kazi-Kumukh.
Surkhay-Khan II transferred control of Khanate to his son Murtazali-Bek and left for Tabriz
to Shah Abbas-Mirza. Surkhay-Khan II was not able to win over the Shah due to a Treaty of Gulistan on October 12 of 1813 where Persia acknowledged the victory of Russia and transferred to her Georgia and Dagestan.
In August 1815 Surkhay-Khan II suddenly attacked the Kurakh fortress where battalion of major Pozdrevski suffered casualties. In 1816, Ermolov was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Caucasus region.
In 1818 Surkhay-Khan II sent a Kazi-Kumukh regiment to assist Girey-Khan of Mekhtula Khanate. The Khan of Kaitag with the people of Akusha attacked general Pestel near Bashli village. Surkhay-Khan II and Sultan Ahmed-Khan of Avaria fought in the battle of Boltugi. General Khatuntsev fortified his army in the village of Chirakh.
Chirakh garrison, led by captain Ovechkin, staunchly defended the fortress. The fight lasted 4 days. Surkhay-Khan II ordered to retreat in view of new Russian troops approaching Chirakh. Major General Vrede ordered to restore the strongholds of the Tsar's troops in Beduk, Richa and Chirakh, to protect against the attacks of Surkhay-Khan II.
decided to capture Kazi-Kumukh, which became the stronghold of anti-colonial struggle of highlanders, by a direct attack. A decisive battle took place on June 12th near the Lak village of Khosrekh where Surkhay-Khan II and his sons fortified their positions. General Madatov
and also army divisions from Shirvan, Shaki, Quba and Karabakh began slowly moving to Khosrekh.
By artillery fire Russians overcame the defences of highlanders. General Khalid-Bek and 1070 gazies were killed in this battle. Khosrekh was captured and further Kazi-Kumukh. In 1820 after a long war of Surkhay-Khan II, the Khanate of Kazi-Kumukh was conquered by Russian empire. Ermolov wrote after capturing Kazi-Kumukh: "Russian army appeared in this place for the first time". In August 1820 Surkhay-Khan II left for Persia to Fat′h Ali-Shah.
Surkhay-Khan II inherited from his father the independent Khanate of Kazi-Kumukh and Russian intrusion into Dagestan must have been compared to the Persian in the days of Surkhay-Khan I, which highlanders successfully repelled. Surkhay-Khan II gave dozens of battles, of which the largest were at Baku, Derbent, Tiflis, Khosrekh, Akhulgo, Chirakh, Kurakh, Kartukh, Alazani
, Quba
, Akusha
, Baltugi, Akhaltsikhe
, Akhalkalaki
, Kartli
, Kakheti
, at fortresses of Nizovaya, Burnaya and Vnezapnaya in Chechnya, at fortress of Surkhayli in Cherkessia, at the fall of Ganja
and during the siege of Yerevan
, as well took part in the battles in Kars
, Ardagan
and Erzurum
.
In this period of Caucasian war from 1796 to 1827, Russians overcoming the heroic defence of highlanders captured Dagestan and Chechnya. After the war, all rulers of North Caucasus were under the oath of allegiance to Russia. Caucasian war was practically considered completed, but afterwards the war flames up with renewed strength.
In 1826 Surkhay-Khan II returned from Persia and in 1827 died in the village of Sogratl in Andalal at the age of 83. His son Nukh-Bek migrated to Turkey where he died in 1828.
Becoming part of Russia, highlanders ran into state organised serfdom
. Russian management toughened exploitation of peasants. This situation inevitability led to a powerful social unrest and revolt.
In the period of new Caucasian war under the leadership of three Imams, Laks proved themselves active again. At the capture of Gergebel village by Naib Kebed-Muhammad there were up to 300 Laks in his army. In spite of prohibitions Laks constantly conducted trade on all the territories of Imamate and 80 merchants had special guard folios from Imam. Laks were such political figures of Caucasian war as Haji Yahya-Bek, Muhammad-Efendi Guyminski, Buk-Muhammad and Bashir-Bek (Naibs of Imam Shamil). Direct descendant of Khans of Kazi-Kumukh was Muhammad-Amin (Imam of Abkhazia and Cherkessia 1848-1859).
In 1832 in a meeting in Gotsatl where Shamkhal of Tarki and Ahmed-Khan of Mekhtula Khanate participated, Aslan-Khan declared that only he has the right to rule Avaria as its ruler Pakhu-Beke, an old woman, was killed in a siege by Islamic militants. Mother of Aslan-Khan, Aymesey, was sister of Umma-Khan of Avaria. All nobles of Dagestan wished to rule Avaria. Haji Yahya-Bek, nephew of Aslan-Khan, becomes the ruler of Avaria.
Nutsal Aga-Khan removed Haji Yahya-Bek, the ruler of Avaria, and appointed in his place his younger brother Muhammad Mirza. There were in Kazi-Kumukh cousins of Nutsal Aga-Khan, sons of Omar-Bek, the second brother of Aslan-Khan, who too claimed the right to the throne. In August the same year, Nutsal Aga-Khan suddenly for all died.
from the Russian Tsar. In 1838 Muhammad Mirza-Khan fell ill and died just as the elder brother.
and led battles with Russians.
Ummu Kulsum-Beke, an old woman, spent almost two years behind locked doors with people she trusted. Representatives of Kazi-Kumukh clergy came to Ummu Kulsum-Beke with a request from people to take charge of state affairs offering her Mahmud-Bek, nephew of Aslan-Khan, as an assistant.
Abdurahman-Bek, son of Omar-Bek, and Haji Yahya-Bek being disaffected with Mahmud-Bek who took all the power in his hands, began agitating people. Abdurahman-Bek was summoned by general Golovin to Derbent and sent to live in the village of Zukhul under the supervision of military district authorities. Haji Yahya-Bek gave his word will not leave, but later fled to Imam Shamil and became one of his Naibs. Haji Yahya-Bek starts negotiations with Mahmud-Bek to assist Imam Shamil. It was said in the Russian document of that time: "Mahmud-Bek and Garun-Bek have gradually involved everyone in very close relations with Shamil". Prushanovsky wrote: "if someone was robbed by Shamil, it was enough to come to Mahmud-Bek and the lost property was always returned".
In 1841 Haji Yahya-Bek leads an uprising and with the people of Imam Shamil takes the fortress of Kazi-Kumukh, briefly incorporating Lak lands into Imamate. Imam Shamil later arrived in Kazi-Kumukh. Mahmud-Bek and his brother Garun-Bek the ruler of Kura Khanate, who were in Kazi-Kumukh, declared themselves allies of Imam Shamil.
In the summer of 1847 Aglar-Bek, younger brother of Abdurahman-Khan, arrived from St. Petersburg to Kazi-Kumukh in the rank of staff-captain of the Russian Army Guards. From the early years Aglar-Bek was in St. Petersburg as a hostage. General Argutinsky stood with his army on the hills of Turchidag awaiting a battle with Shamil. Abdurahman-Khan and Aglar-Bek with their army came to help the general as to prevent Shamil from breaking into Kazi-Kumukh. Russians successfully repelled all attacks of Shamil. Shamil started negotiations with Abdurahman-Khan. Upon learning this, Argutinsky removed Abdurahman-Khan from his command on the battlefield.
In 1851 Naib Buk-Muhammad of Kazi-Kumukh with part of his people was killed on the battlefield, helping people of Tabasaran and Kaitag in the holy war in the village of Shilagi. He was buried with honours in the Kirkhlar cemetery of martyrs in Derbent. On the banner of Buk-Muhammad captured by Russians the following inscription was embroidered: "Do not lose bravery. Be indifferent to the dangers of war. Nobody will die before a decreed hour of death".
For his last offensive Imam Shamil chose village of Gunib
. In 1859 general Aleksandr Baryatinskiy
surrounded Gunib and promised Shamil a free passage to Mecca for a permanent residence there. Shamil requested a Russian general to be given to him as a hostage and refused to lay down arms. Baryatinskiy began assault. After a couple of assaults colonel Lazarev came to Imam Shamil and managed to convince him to stop the resistance. Imam Shamil was 63 years old. Shamil with his family, surrounded by a numerous escort was taken to Temir-Khan-Shura city (modern day Bujnaksk). In Chuguevo on September 15, Alexander II met with Shamil. Honoured captivity of Shamil lasted ten years. Charles King notes: "Whereas previous enemies of the empire had been imprisoned, killed or exiled, Shamil became a national celebrity in Russia. After his surrender, he settled into a comfortable retirement in Kaluga, southeast of Moscow". Turkish sultan accepted Shamil with honours.
In 1859 after the death of Aglar-Khan, Khanate of Kazi-Kumukh was abolished "due to absence of heir", although there was such heir: Jafar-Bek, son of Aglar-Khan, who was still young. The territory of Khanate was renamed as Kazi-Kumukh District. Management of Kazi-Kumukh District was given to a Russian staff-officer. In 1860, a thousand-year history of Lak State was over.
Dagestan
The Republic of Dagestan is a federal subject of Russia, located in the North Caucasus region. Its capital and the largest city is Makhachkala, located at the center of Dagestan on the Caspian Sea...
after the disintegration of Shamkhalate of Kazi-Kumukh
Shamkhalate of Kazi-Kumukh
Shamkhalate of Kazi-Kumukh — Lak state that existed on the territory of present-day Dagestan in 11th-17th centuries. The capital of Shamkhalate was Kazi-Kumukh...
in 1642. After the transfer of capital of Shamkhalate to Tarki, in Kazi-Kumukh
Kumukh
Kumukh is a village and the administrative center of Laksky District in Dagestan. It is located on the banks of the river Kazikumukhskoye Koysu.Previously known as Kazi-Kumukh .- History :...
the people's assembly or parliament
Parliament
A parliament is a legislature, especially in those countries whose system of government is based on the Westminster system modeled after that of the United Kingdom. The name is derived from the French , the action of parler : a parlement is a discussion. The term came to mean a meeting at which...
known as "Qat" remained in power. Executive power
Executive (government)
Executive branch of Government is the part of government that has sole authority and responsibility for the daily administration of the state bureaucracy. The division of power into separate branches of government is central to the idea of the separation of powers.In many countries, the term...
belonged to "Qatlil Kunisri" — a supreme counsel that elected a first ruler with the title "Khalklavchi".
Khalklavchi Alibek II
In 1642 in view of military invasion of Dagestan by Persia, the counsel of chiefs in Kazi-Kumukh introduced a new title of the ruler — Khalklavchi. Alibek II, son of Tuchilav, son of Alibek I, son of Chopan-Shamkhal, son of Budai-Shamkhal, was elected to be the Khalklavchi of Kazi-Kumukh. The functions of Khalklavchi consisted in implementation of his duties as a military leader. In Kazi- Kumukh from the times of Shamkhalate there remained numerous nobles of Shamkhal family — emirs and military leaders. Activities of these leaders consisted in frequent war campaigns. Material needs were met by the spoils of war and taxes. In 1658 in LakiaLakia (Dagestan)
Lakia — the name of ethnic territory of Laks in the mountainous Dagestan. The administrative center of Lakia is Kumukh – the political center of Laks over a thousand-year history of their state...
there was formed an alliance of "jama'ats" of all "magals", directed against the unlimited power of local feudals. In 1700 ruler Alibek II dies.
Surkhay-Khan I
In 1700 Laks give their ruler a popular title – KhanKhan (title)
Khan is an originally Altaic and subsequently Central Asian title for a sovereign or military ruler, widely used by medieval nomadic Turko-Mongol tribes living to the north of China. 'Khan' is also seen as a title in the Xianbei confederation for their chief between 283 and 289...
. The council of chiefs elect Surkhay-Bek (1680–1748), son of Garey-Bek, son of Khalklavchi Alibek II from Shamkhal family that remained in Kazi-Kumukh, as a new ruler.
Surkhay-Khan I, cutting down the rights of jama'ats and abolishing the autonomy of magals, established a unified Lak state with a strong central power. Surkhay-Khan I forms regular army and sets political alliences with other societies of Dagestan such as: Upper Tabasaran, Kura, Agul, Rutul, Djaro-Balakan, Tsudakhar and Andalal.
Conflict with Persia
In 1709 Afghans rose in revolt against Iran that led to the downfall of Iranian dominance in KandaharKandahar
Kandahar is the second largest city in Afghanistan, with a population of about 512,200 as of 2011. It is the capital of Kandahar Province, located in the south of the country at about 1,005 m above sea level...
. At the same time revolts blazed up in Mugan and Tabriz. In Azerbaijan Haji-Dawud starts a revolt and seeks the support of Dagestani rulers.
In 1710 an agreement was signed between Khanate of Kazi-Kumukh and Khanate of Avaria, that stipulated questions of extradition of criminals and proclaimed a political-military alliance : "your enemy – is our enemy, and our enemy – is your enemy". In 1711 prince Alexander Bekovich-Cherkassky
Alexander Bekovich-Cherkassky
Prince Alexander Bekovich-Cherkassky was a Russian officer of Circassian origin who led the first Russian military expedition into Central Asia.-Background:...
arrived in Dagestan to gain support of Dagestani rulers in a war between Russia and Iran.
In 1711 part of southern Dagestan was under Persian rule. Shah's troops controlled Derbent and Tabasaran. Shia-Sufic Persia waged an ideological and political war against Sunni Shirvan
Shirvan
Shirvan , also spelled as Shirwan, Shervan, Sherwan and Šervān, is a historical region in the eastern Caucasus, known by this name in both Islamic and modern times...
and Dagestan
Dagestan
The Republic of Dagestan is a federal subject of Russia, located in the North Caucasus region. Its capital and the largest city is Makhachkala, located at the center of Dagestan on the Caspian Sea...
. In Dagestan Surkhay-Khan I encourages people to fight Persian heretics.
First capture of Shemakha
In this connection in 1712 Surkhay-Khan I of Kazi-Kumukh, Ahmed-Khan of Kaitag Khanate and Haji-Dawud of Quba, organized a campaign against the Persians in Shemakha – the capital and a major trading center of Shirvan. After 15 days of siege, Dagestani armies with the help of local Sunnies seized Shemakha. Thereafter, Surkhay-Khan I started continuous raids on Persian strongholds. Physically strong captives were taken by Surkhay-Khan I to serve in his army. Dagestani army numbered up to 30 thousand men. This continued until Shah's army recaptured Shemakha in 1721.Second capture of Shemakha
In 1721 on July 21, Surkhay-Khan I, Ahmed-Khan and Haji-Dawud captured Shemakha for a second time. Englishman D. Khonvoy wrote that: "Khan of Shemakha, Iranian military leaders and 800 persons from the town's gentlefolk were killed and the city ransacked". Shias were killed and looted. In the same year Surkhay-Khan I sets the city of QabalaQabala
Qabala is a rayon of Azerbaijan. Its administrative center is the historic town of Qəbələ, which in ancient times was known as the capital of Caucasian Albania....
free from the rule of Qizilbashes and lays siege to Ganja
Ganja, Azerbaijan
Ganja is Azerbaijan's second-largest city with a population of around 313,300. It was named Yelizavetpol in the Russian Empire period. The city regained its original name—Ganja—from 1920–1935 during the first part of its incorporation into the Soviet Union. However, its name was changed again and...
. Ahmed-Khan and Haji-Dawud capture distant Ardebil in Persia. Ardebil was a spiritual centre of Sufism and Qizilbashes. Surkhay-Khan I, Haji-Dawud and Ahmed-Khan inflicted a devastating blow to Ardebil, where Dagestani army pranged the whole city, and subjected Sufis to large extermination. Conflict of Dagestan with Persian expansion was to a large extent religious.
Campaign of Peter I of Russia
In 1722 a 112 thousand army of Peter I of RussiaPeter I of Russia
Peter the Great, Peter I or Pyotr Alexeyevich Romanov Dates indicated by the letters "O.S." are Old Style. All other dates in this article are New Style. ruled the Tsardom of Russia and later the Russian Empire from until his death, jointly ruling before 1696 with his half-brother, Ivan V...
invaded Dagestan. Surkhay-Khan I the Conqueror vigorously tries to force the Russian troops out of seashore territories of Dagestan. The military power of the Khan of Kazi-Kumukh was much less in comparison with the epoch of Shamkhalate. In 1722 Afghans headed by Mir Mahmud capture Isfahan. Shah Sultan Husain was taken captive and his son Tahmasp II fled to northlands of Persia.
In 1723 armies of Surkhay-Khan I and other rulers of Dagestan capture Tbilisi
Tbilisi
Tbilisi is the capital and the largest city of Georgia, lying on the banks of the Mt'k'vari River. The name is derived from an early Georgian form T'pilisi and it was officially known as Tiflis until 1936...
banishing Vakhtang VI of Kartli
Vakhtang VI of Kartli
Vakhtang VI , also known as Vakhtang the Scholar and Vakhtang the Lawgiver, was a Wāli of Kartli, eastern Georgia, as a nominal vassal to the Persian shah from 1716 to 1724. Traditionally, he has been still styled as king of Kartli...
who intended to cooperate with Peter I with his army. Next, Dagestanis moved to Armenia
Armenia
Armenia , officially the Republic of Armenia , is a landlocked mountainous country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia...
and ransacked its capital Yerevan
Yerevan
Yerevan is the capital and largest city of Armenia and one of the world's oldest continuously-inhabited cities. Situated along the Hrazdan River, Yerevan is the administrative, cultural, and industrial center of the country...
. After taking over Yerevan, the army of Dagestan captured Karabakh
Karabakh
The Karabakh horse , also known as Karabakh, is a mountain-steppe racing and riding horse. It is named after the geographic region where the horse was originally developed, Karabakh in the Southern Caucasus, an area that is de jure part of Azerbaijan but the highland part of which is currently...
. Archbishop of Karabakh Isa Hasan Jalalan wrote that "people mixed with the huge herds of cows and horses ran away from Surkhay, but Surkhay overtook them". Colonel Alexander Komarov writes: "In 1723 September 12, Shah Tahmasp had ceded to Russia the whole Caspian region from Astrabad to Sulak, however Kazi-Kumukh was not included here. The merit of Kazi-Kumukh reached a high degree in Dagestan".
In 1724 Surkhay-Khan I of Kazi-Kumukh refused to acknowledge the extension of Ferhat Pasha Treaty according to which Persia convinced that Shirvan was lost, passed it to Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
. Political influence of Surkhay-Khan I in the region at this time was big. Surkhay-Khan I considered Shirvan a territory conquered by Dagestanis from Persia and demanded from Turkey to hand Shirvan over to his rule. Turkey refused the request of Surkhay-Khan I and appointed Haji-Dawud as the ruler of Shirvan. Surkhay-Khan I, Ahmed-Khan and Nutsal of Avaria began ransacking Shirvan and neighbouring territories. This continued one whole year.
In the same year, the Dagestani army that included the rulers of Kazi-Kumukh, Avaria, Kaitag, Tabasaran, Mekhtula and Tarki carried out a united attack on Russian garrison in Dagestan. The army of highlanders besieged and stormed a fortress built by Peter I.
Surkhay-Khan I the ruler of Shirvan
In 1725 for political make-up, Turkey issued a Firman that proclaimed Surkhay-Khan I of Kazi-Kumukh the ruler of Shirvan. This firman was symbolic. Surkhay-Khan I was not subordinated to Turkish authority "as he understood his strength". Surkhay-Khan I the Conqueror, after receiving the title of Khan of Shirvan and Kazi-Kumukh, founded a mighty Khanate of Kazi-Kumukh that stretched from Kazi-Kumukh to Kura RiverKura River
Kura is a river, also known from the Greek as the Cyrus in the Caucasus Mountains. Starting in north-eastern Turkey, it flows through Turkey to Georgia, then to Azerbaijan, where it receives the Aras River as a right tributary, and enters the Caspian Sea...
in the south of Shirvan
Shirvan
Shirvan , also spelled as Shirwan, Shervan, Sherwan and Šervān, is a historical region in the eastern Caucasus, known by this name in both Islamic and modern times...
, covering a significant part of lands of southern Dagestan and Shirvan.
Surkhay-Khan I made Shemakha his residence and as a far-sighted ruler of Shirvan cared for the development of sciences. He invited to Shemakha a whole group of the Dagestani scholars among whom were Damadan Megebski and Rahman Kuli Akhtinski for meeting with other scholars. At the direction of Surkhay-Khan I, Islamic school was opened in Shemakha where he appointed a prominent scholar of the time Muhammad Ubrinski as chairman. Surkhay-Khan I built in Shirvan fortresses, roads and opened schools at mosques. In honour of Surkhay-Khan I coins were minted in Shemakha.
Khanate of Kazi-Kumukh in this period of time was one of the most influential political formations not only in Dagestan but in the entire Eastern Caucasus as well. In 18th century Kazi-Kumukh becomes the centre of international politics in the Eastern Caucasus.
As historian Gusaynov writes: "As early as July 1730 Shah of Persia offered to Surkhay-Khan I a position of Persian viceroy and deputy in Shemakha. Likewise offered him to be the ruler of Shirvan and Dagestan under the protectorate of Persia". Surkhay-Khan I refused each time as he valued his independence.
In 1732 an agreement was signed between Russia and Persia where Russia gave to Persia areas of Gilan and Mazandaran. Shirvan and Dagestan remained after Persia. In 1733 Nader
Nader Shah
Nāder Shāh Afshār ruled as Shah of Iran and was the founder of the Afsharid dynasty. Because of his military genius, some historians have described him as the Napoleon of Persia or the Second Alexander...
, a commander-in-chief of the Persian army, defeated the Turkish army near Baghdad
Baghdad
Baghdad is the capital of Iraq, as well as the coterminous Baghdad Governorate. The population of Baghdad in 2011 is approximately 7,216,040...
. Accordingly Turkey was transferring to Persia several provinces including Shirvan. General Nader sent his messenger to Surkhay-Khan I of Shirvan demanding him to abandon Shirvan immediately. Surkhay-Khan I this time killed the messenger and wrote to Nader a letter saying that "Shirvan was conquered by the swords of Dagestani lions and not given to him by Turkey as a gift, and that neither Sultan of Turkey nor Ahmed of Baghdad have the right to request from him to hand over this territory". Surkhay-Khan I reflected in his policy the bellicosity of Dagestanis and Shirvanis who were categorically against the takeover of Shirvan by Persians.
First intrusion of Persians
In 1734 on August 17 general NaderNader Shah
Nāder Shāh Afshār ruled as Shah of Iran and was the founder of the Afsharid dynasty. Because of his military genius, some historians have described him as the Napoleon of Persia or the Second Alexander...
entered Shirvan. Nader passed the siege of Shemakha to part of his army and moved to the mountains of Dagestan
Dagestan
The Republic of Dagestan is a federal subject of Russia, located in the North Caucasus region. Its capital and the largest city is Makhachkala, located at the center of Dagestan on the Caspian Sea...
. Another part of his army was also in the direction of Derbent
Derbent
Derbent |Lak]]: Чурул, Churul; Persian: دربند; Judæo-Tat: דארבּאנד/Дэрбэнд/Dərbənd) is a city in the Republic of Dagestan, Russia, close to the Azerbaijani border. It is the southernmost city in Russia, and it is the second most important city of Dagestan...
. Surkhay Khan I was forced to retreat from Shemakha to the city of Qabala
Qabala
Qabala is a rayon of Azerbaijan. Its administrative center is the historic town of Qəbələ, which in ancient times was known as the capital of Caucasian Albania....
.
On the orders of the ruler of Ganja, Ali-Pasha, the highlanders of Djaria, units of Ali-Sultan of Tsakhur, Mustafa-Pasha, Nur-Pasha and Fetkh-Girey Sultan came to assist Surkhay-Khan I with 8 thousand men. The army of Surkhay-Khan I met with Nader in the township of Deve-Batan where highlanders and the Turks were defeated in view of strong enemy artillery and other failures. The Persians were victorious in Khachmaz
Khachmaz (city)
Khachmaz is a city in the Khachmaz Rayon of Azerbaijan.-Origin of the name:...
as well, where there was a large fortress built by Surkhay-Khan I. Overcoming the resistance of defenders, Persians captured Kurakh.
Using an important artillery, Nader stormed the positions of Surkhay-Khan I at Koysu river for three days and arrived in Kazi-Kumukh
Kumukh
Kumukh is a village and the administrative center of Laksky District in Dagestan. It is located on the banks of the river Kazikumukhskoye Koysu.Previously known as Kazi-Kumukh .- History :...
. General-in-chief V. Y. Levashov wrote: "Surkhay was not able to resist the great cannon-fire". Surkhay-Khan I, according to the "Chronicle of Wars of Djaria", retreated to Andalal.
Khazbulat-Bek of Tarki arrived in Kazi-Kumukh to general Nader and according to the ancient tradition crowned himself as Shamkhal. In view of coronation Nader did not ruin Kazi-Kumukh. Nader appointed Muhammad-Bek, the youngest son Surkhay-Khan I, his deputy in Kazi-Kumukh and then marched against Abdullah-Pasha who was standing with Turkish forces near Erevan.
Surkhay-Khan I found an ally, Eldar of Kazanish. Eldar, Ahmed-Khan of Kaitag and Surkhay-Khan I of Kazi-Kumukh had a meeting in Kazanish and came to a decision to remove Khazbulat-Shamkhal and appoint Eldar as the ruler of Tarki. Turkish Sultan ordered Crimean Khan
Crimean Khanate
Crimean Khanate, or Khanate of Crimea , was a state ruled by Crimean Tatars from 1441 to 1783. Its native name was . Its khans were the patrilineal descendants of Toqa Temür, the thirteenth son of Jochi and grandson of Genghis Khan...
Kaplan-Girey to move to Derbent. Not far from Derbent a battle took place between the Crimean army and a detachment of Khazbulat-Shamkhal who was aided by Iranian army left with him. Troops of Utsmi Ahmed-Khan with the people of Akusha and troops of Surkhay-Khan I fought on the side of the Crimean army. Khazbulat-Shamkhal was defeated and in his place was put his cousin Eldar. Crimean Khan named Eldar as a new Shamkhal of Tarki. These events were behind the second invasion of Dagestan by Nader of Persia.
Second intrusion of Persians
Kaplan-Giray after the signing of peace treaty between Turkey and Iran returned to Crimea, which accelerated the Persian invasion. In 1735 October 11, Nader's troops moved out of Ganja and capturing Djaria, Sheki, Shirvan and Shemakha, established themselves in Derbent in November 21.In December 1735 Nader marched with his army to Majalis destroying many villages in the district of Akusha-Dargo. "People of Akusha stubbornly defended themselves, but were defeated", noted Bakikhanov. Surkhay-Khan I, Eldar of Kazanish and Ahmed-Khan of Kaitag retreated. Nader with the army moved further to Kala-Koreish, the capital of Kaitag Utsmiate. The Persian army besieged the fortress and offered the Utsmi to lay down his arms. Utsmy was forced to surrender "with honorable individuals". Utsmi gave his daughter in marriage to Husein Ali-Khan, the ruler of Quba. Tabasarans and Lezgins also recognized the authority of Nader, giving him hostages from the honorable families.
Nader wishing to defeat Surkhay-Khan I invaded Kazi-Kumukh for a second time. Surkhay-Khan I with all his forces took his defensive positions in a gorge of Dursakh, not far from Kazi-Kumukh where a bloody battle with Nader took place. Iranian historian Muhammed Kazim wrote that 30 thousand army of Nader attacked a 10 thousand army of Surkhay-Khan I. "In the midst of the battle, brave and courageous Surkhay rushed into the center of the fighting". The battle was bloody. "Land has been painted with blood as Jaihun". Surkhay-Khan I retreated to Andalal. Historian Jones wrote that "the fierce sea of the conqueror’s army turned its waves on habitats and fields of Kumukh, and possessions of all the inhabitants of this place were destroyed". Muhammad-Bek came to Kazi-Kumukh and from the influential persons of Lakia recognized the authority of Nader, who after looting the Lak villages refused to march to Andalal.
Second campaign for Nader was successful. In 1736 in Mugan, Nader was solemnly crowned the Shah of Iran.
Anti-Iranian campaigns
Surkhay-Khan I of Kazi-Kumukh and Utsmi Ahmed-Khan decided to start a joint struggle against Persia. The Russian military administration in the North Caucasus had repeatedly received reports of an alliance of Utsmi Ahmed-Khan with Surkhay-Khan I of Kazi-Kumukh and the construction of ten stone-fortifications equipped with canons.In 1737 Nader-Shah with the army marched to Afghanistan and appointed his brother Ibrahim-Khan as a commander-in-chief and supreme ruler of Dagestan and Azerbaijan. Surkhay-Khan I, Ahmed-Khan and Eldar uniting their armies attacked the fortress of Derbent, defeated the army of Mehdi-Khan and then captured Old Shemakha and executed all the feudal class in Shemakha, the proteges of Nader-Shah. Murtazali-bek, the son of Surkhay-Khan I, headed the grand invasion of Transcaucasia by Dagestanis. The highlanders reached Tiflis and Karabakh, besieged Nukha, took the fortress of Aresh and kept Iranian garrisons in the blockade "from Tiflis to Karabakh and ending by Shaki and Shirvan". By the end of 1737 at the cost of large losses, Ibrahim-Khan managed to oust Dagestanis.
In 1738 there were new anti-Persian revolts in Shirvan and Dagestan. During tax collection, the population of Djaro-Balakan under the leadership of the elders Ibrahim-Diwan and Mohammed-Khalil, with the support of the rulers of Dagestan, organized an uprising. Surkhay-Khan I appealed to the people of Dagestan to rise up against the Persian invasion. Under the banners of Murtazali-Bek rose all the population of Laks able to carry weapons. Armies of other Dagestani rulers assembled too. Dagestani army in a gorge of Djaro-Balakan dealt a crushing defeat to the Shah's army of Ibrahim-Khan: 32 thousand Persian army was wiped out. Ibrahim-Khan was killed himself.
Preparing for further war with Persia, Surkhay-Khan I receives financial support from Turkey.
Third intrusion of Persians
In 1741 on July 2, Nader-Shah intruded into Dagestan at the head of 120 thousand army. Before this third invasion of Dagestan, Nader-Shah declared: "I took under my power Hindustan, the lands of Turan and Iran. Now I wished so: with enormous and countless army to invade the kingdom of Kumukh and make a new brand on that country. From such a brand fire will go all over the world". Shah’s historiographer Mirza-Mehdi Astarabadi wrote: "The banners that conquered the world are leaving Iran and heading to Dagestan".The Persian army moved in two columns: first of them, headed by Nader-Shah himself, moved from Qabala through Shakh-Dag to Kazi-Kumukh. The second, headed by Lutf Ali-Khan and Gaidar-Bek, moved from Derbent to Kaitag, Bashli and Djengutai, which was the capital of Mekhtula Khanate, from where it had to invade Avaria through Aimaki gorge.
Persians faced fierce battles in Bashli, Dubek and Tabasaran. People of Kaitag headed by Utsmi blocked the way of Persian army under the command of Gaidar-Bek, "annihilated a lot of people, took their horses and other property". Ruler of Mekhtula Ahmed-Khan survived the first attack of Lutf Ali-Khan under Djengutai. It is written that "Surkhay-Khan I sent to all the cities of Dagestan his messengers requesting to come with an army". Nader "almost lost his life and despite his fearlessness was forced to hide in a ditch from bullets". Muhammed Kazim, historian of Nader-Shah, writes: "in a battle with Surkhay, Nader's hand was injured", and "the troops of Surkhay kept on firing from guns for two hours and all the 20 thousand shooters of Khorasan and Turkestan abandoned this world". Enraged Nader that day killed several of his prominent military leaders. At the cost of many lives, Persians managed to overcome the defences of Surkhay-Khan I who retreated into the mountains. Russian resident I. P. Kalushkin in the camp of Nader-Shah, an eyewitness of those events wrote that "on the orders of the Shah the soldiers do not leave anyone alive, all are killed outright".
Ahmed-Khan of Mekhtula retreated to Avaria through Aimaki gorge. The Persians with great effort captured Akusha. Utsmi Ahmed-Khan retreated to Kubachi and after fierce resistance was forced to surrender.
Further on, Nader-Shah three times without success stormed the Lak village of Kuli. After capturing Kuli and Khosrekh the Persians, as in Kaitag and Kura, dealt with people with brutality. A fierce battle took place near the Lak village of Shovkra, where a detachment of seven thousand soldiers of Surkhay-Khan I sustained losses. Surkhay-Khan I retreated to the fortress of Kazi-Kumukh. The assault on Kazi-Kumukh began in August 1741. Kazi-Kumukh was surrounded by a dense ring of Persian army. In a week, a seventy years old Surkhay-Khan I decided to surrender and took some time to negotiate it, thus distracting Persians from the troops of his two sons, Muhammad-Bek and Murtazali-Bek, who were breaking out of encirclement. Surkhay-Khan I sent his sons with five thousand army to Andalal, large sums of money and letters to prominent leaders to organize a new resistance against Qizilbashes. From all over Dagestan highlanders began to flow down to Andalal.
Murtazali-Khan
With the capture of Surkhay-Khan I, his eldest son Murtazal-Bek becomes the Khan of Laks. Murtazali-Khan was taught in the art of war in Turkey. Known as Murtaza-Pasha, he participated in Turkish-Russian wars. Stood at the head of a 60 thousand Turkish-Crimean army and carried out devastating raids on DonDon River (Russia)
The Don River is one of the major rivers of Russia. It rises in the town of Novomoskovsk 60 kilometres southeast from Tula, southeast of Moscow, and flows for a distance of about 1,950 kilometres to the Sea of Azov....
and Little Russia
Little Russia
Little Russia , sometimes Little or Lesser Rus’ , is a historical political and geographical term in the Russian language referring to most of the territory of modern-day Ukraine before the 20th century. It is similar to the Polish term Małopolska of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth...
. He headed the battle of highlanders in Djaro-Balakan region: Murtazali-Khan personally in the battle split the head of Ibrahim-Khan. Murtazali-Khan was married to the daughter of Muhammad-Kadi of Sogratl.
Victory in Turchidag
In 1741 at the end of August, Nader-Shah moved into the territory of Andalal. Andalal community consisted of Avar villages. A decisive historical battle began on September 12 of 1741. On Turchidag plateau Persians pitched their camp and began assaulting villages of Kanar, Uri, Sogratl, Gidatl, Obokh and Chokh, from which as Kalushkin writes, Nader-Shah saw "a strong defence". A detachment of four thousand Persians assaulted one village where there were 600 defenders. Fights lasted there for 10 days. Highlanders "undertook a united attack on Persians, thus killed three hundred Persians and scotched many in their retreat".To help the defenders volunteers continued to flow down from all parts of Dagestan. In the beginning Persians gained few victories and moved up to Sogratl. Murtazali-Khan at the head of Khunzakh regiment moved to Sogratl in Andalal. Large army of Persians marching toward Sogratl was stopped in the area of Hitsib where unfolded one of the fiercest battles. Four days and four nights passed in heavy battles. Persian army perished almost entirely. In Aymaki gorge the second column of Persian army marching from Djengutai to Andalal to help Nader, was subjected to a large carnage. Dagestani army led by two sons of Surkhay-Khan I, Murtazali-Khan and Muhammad-Bek, Ahmed-Khan of Mekhtula, and by religious leaders of Sogratl and Chokh gained victory. By night of September 28 Nader-Shah hastily retreated from Andalal, where 40 thousand Persians perished, according to I. Kalushkin.
In view of this Kalushkin reported that "Persians retreated in such an accelerating march that can rightly be counted as a desertion" and "Shah was so cruelly beaten that he was forced to turn back three times to defend himself". Highlanders defeated the Shah's army under the command of Lutf Ali-Khan, Gaidar-Bek, Jalal-Khan and Nader-Shah himself. Murtazali-Bek pursued retreating Persians up to Derbent where Nader-Shah decided to hold his defence. Day and night Dagestanis carried out raids on the Persian camp. The place afterwards began to be named as "Iran kharab", or destruction of Iran. As it is written: "Salutes were given In Istanbul. In Petersburg people could not conceal their joy".
In 1742 Nader-Shah decided to use the authority of his captive Surkhay-Khan I who was an old gray-haired man so that he might persuade his son Murtazali and other leaders to surrender and be in the Persian service, promising rewards. Murtazali-Khan later died from injuries sustained in the battle.
At the beginning of 1743 Nader-Shah with bits and pieces of his hungry and ragged army finally abandons Dagestan.
Muhammad-Khan
In 1743 Muhammad-Bek, son of Surkhay-Khan I, ascends the throne of Kazi-Kumukh Khanate. From Turkey there arrived to Muhammad-Khan a "miraculously saved Sefevid prince" – Sefi-Mirza, also known as Shikh Zade-Sultan. Many influential nobles of Persia swore allegiance to Sefi-Mirza. Muhammad-Khan decided to place Sefi-Mirza on the Persian throne and take under his rule his father's possession – ShirvanShirvan
Shirvan , also spelled as Shirwan, Shervan, Sherwan and Šervān, is a historical region in the eastern Caucasus, known by this name in both Islamic and modern times...
. Turkey promised to support, as Turkish minister wrote: "When the mentioned prince will be firmly established on the stolen throne of his ancestors, then he will give back previously under our rule states of Shirvan, Ganja, Tiflis and Yerevan". Muhammad-Khan was the strongest ally of Turkey in the Eastern Caucasus. Claims of Sefi-Mirza to the throne led to strife in Persia.
First campaign
At the end of 1743 Derbent, Tabasaran and Kura of southern Dagestan were part of Persia. Muhammad-Khan formed a Dagestani army and under the pretext of "defending the legal rights of inheritors of Persian throne" waged a war on Persians. In Kura region of Southern Dagestan there was a fortress named Kaber built by Nader-Shah where the Persian garrison was positioned. Muhammad-Khan assaulted this fortress and defeated the defenders. Then Muhammad-Khan marched on Derbent, defeated the Persian battalion and removed the Shah's deputy from there.The army of Muhammad-Khan approached the city of Shabran where the Shah's troops were located. The siege was long and bloody. Muhammad-Khan blew up the walls of the town with mines and took the city by assault. The whole city was subjected to destruction and ransacked. Abdal Gani-Khan Afghani, a general of Nader-Shah, was strongly defending his position, however Muhammad-Khan managed to capture the fortress of Shabran and beheaded him. Later Muhammad-Khan married his daughter Istajalu. Nader-Shah used to send Abdal Gani-Khan in the most risky expeditions. Surkhay-Khan I lost him the battle in Deve-Batan. Muhammad-Khan moved further and captured Agsu
Agsu (city)
Agsu is a city in and capital of the Agsu Rayon of Azerbaijan.- History :A. A. Bakikhanov noted that Nadir Shah issued an order for resettlement of the inhabitants of Shamakhi to new laid down city on the bank of Agsu River, in 1735.At present, the name of Agsu city is shown as New...
, the new capital of Shirvan.
During 1743-1745 Muhammad-Khan ruled Shirvan. Muhammad-Khan was not able to go deep into the Persian territory. Sefi-Mirza ran away. In 1745 Nasrula-Mirza, son of Nader-Shah, after sustaining three defeats led the Shah's army of 15 thousand against Muhammad-Khan in a neighbourhood of Agsu, whereupon Muhammad-Khan injured in a bloody fight returned to Kazi-Kumukh. Shah's army once again occupied Derbent and Tabasaran.
Second campaign
In the spring of 1747 Muhammad-Khan with his allies captured Derbent. The Shah's deputy retreated from there to Quba Khanate. In the city of Quba Muhammad-Khan defeated the Persian army and killed the Shah's deputy.Gadjiev V. writes that in 1747 "Shah decided to punish Muhammad-Khan by all means. However afterwards, as a result of revolution in the palace, Nader-Shah was killed". In Persia it was said: "If Shah is foolish – he will wage a war on Dagestan". As the Georgian historian Vakhushti had written: "Nader-Shah was not able to defeat the Dagestanis as he wished".
In 1748 Surkhay-Khan I died in Kazi-Kumukh. His grave is located in the cemetery of Khans near the mosque built by him. Surkhay-Khan I lived 68 years and from them 40 years he conducted a continuous war against Persian dominion in the Caucasus. In memory of his battles, two rivers "Cholak" and "Legva" were named in Turkey.
The mother of Surkhay-Khan I was called Umamat, she was a sister Omar-Khan of Avaria. Daughter of Surkhay-Khan I was married to the son of the Khan of Avaria. Muhammad-Khan had three wives. The first wife was the daughter of Khasbulat-Shamkhal of Tarki, from her he had four sons. Second wife was the daughter of Tishsiz-Bammat of Kazanish, the Khan of Mekhtula Khanate, and had one son from her. Third wife was Istajalu, the daughter of Abdal Gani-Khan.
Internecine wars
In 1760 Muhammad-Khan with his army intruded into Shemakha. The rulers of separate principalities under the instigation of Persia and Turkey were attacking each other. In 1762 the nephew of Agasi-Khan of Shirvan forced Muhammad-Khan to retreat from Shirvan.The influence of Fatali-Khan of Quba greatly increased in Azerbaijan. Soon Shemakha was taken over by Fatali-Khan who also added the Derbent Khanate and Kura region of southern Dagestan to his Khanate of Quba. Eldar-Bek of Kazi-Kumukh, son of Murtazali-Khan, as a result of a quarrel with his uncle fled from Kazi-Kumukh to Fatali-Khan. Shahmardan-Bek, son of Muhammad-Khan, also left Kazi-Kumukh and came to Fatali-Khan. Muhammad-Khan rendered his preference to Surkhay-Bek, "born from the daughter of Abdal Gani-Khan".
In 1770 Fatali-Khan managed to organize an anti-Kazikumukh coalition and involved in it Shamkhal of Tarki and Eldar-Bek of Kazi-Kumukh who planning to become the ruler of Kazi-Kumukh, marched with the army of Quba on Muhammad-Khan. In a battle that took place near Khosrekh village in Lakia, Muhammad-Khan had a victory. In subsequent years, Fatali-Khan found himself in conflict with Utsmi of Kaitag and Nutsal of Avaria.
In 1774 as Hasan Al-Kadari writes: "The emirs of Dagestan decided to wage a war on Fatali-Khan and punish him". An anti-Quba coalition was formed which included Muhammad-Khan of Kazi-Kumukh, Utsmi Emir Khamza of Kaitag, Ali Sultan-Khan of Mekhtula Khanate, Umma-Khan of Avaria, Kazi-Rostam of Tabasaran and Tishsiz-Bammat of Kazanish who undertook an invasion of Quba Khanate. Big battle took place in the Gevdusha valley where Fatali-Khan suffered a complete defeat and retreated to Salyan. Mahammad-Khan took possession of Kura and Quba Khanate and added them to Kazi-Kumukh Khanate.
Intrusion of Russia
Fatali-Khan appealed to Russia to support him. Russia after getting the appeal began decisive cambat actions in Caucasus.In 1775 March 4, general Frederick Medem crossed over Terek river and moved against the ruler of Kaitag who was defeated. Fatali-Khan marched to Quba Khanate against Muhammad-Khan who in view of a strong opponent retreated to Kura. Russian troops entered Derbent. Then general Medem marched to Kura where he defeated Muhammad-Khan, who eventually retreated to Kazi-Kumukh.
In 1776 Russian army was recalled from Dagestan as "Fatali-Khan reconciled his disputes with the Khan of Kaitag, Khan of Kazi-Kumukh and the ruler of Tabasaran".
In 1785 Umma-Khan (1774–1801) invaded Georgia and subsequently received tribute from Georgian king Erekle II
Erekle II
Erekle II was a Georgian monarch of the Bagrationi Dynasty, reigning as the king of Kakheti from 1744 to 1762, and of Kartli and Kakheti from 1762 until 1798. In the contemporary Persian sources he is referred to as Erekli Khan, while Russians knew him as Irakli...
.
In 1789 after the death of Muhammad-Khan, his son Surkhay-Bek becomes the ruler of Kazi-Kumukh Khanate. The same year Fatali-Khan of Quba died too. Unification of territories in Azerbaijan carried out by Fatali-Khan quickly dissolved.
Surkhay-Khan II
Ali Kayaev, a scholar from Kumukh writes: "Surkhay-Khan II was a Muslim scholar, hafis who knew Qur'an by heart. He restored three mosques in Kumukh: Burhay mosque, Qadi mosque and Friday mosque". Mosque in Tpik was also reconstructed by Surkhay-Khan II. Van Galen, officer and an eyewitness wrote: "This was a remarkable man. He was tall and had a formidable appearance especially in an old age. In the mountains he was famous for extensive teachings in the Muslim spirit, and due to his ancient family had great connections throughout Dagestan and was respected by all the neighboring nations ".Surkhay-Khan II had two wives: the first was Lak and from her there were four sons and a daughter, the second wife was Avar, the widow of his brother Shahmardan-Bek and sister of Avar Khans: Omar-Khan (Umma-Khan) and Ahmed Sultan-Khan. "Daughter of Surkhay-Khan II, Gul Andash-Khanum, was married to Mustafa-Khan of Shirvan, a relative of Surkhay-Khan II". Ahmed-Khan Sultan of Tsakhur, son of Alkhaz-Bek, was married to the daughter of Surkhay-Khan II. Sultan of Elisu Daniyal-Bek was grandson of Surkhay-Khan II.
Surkhay-Khan II once again took under his rule Kurakh village and other territories of southern Dagestan: people of Samur region and Rutul appealed to Surkhay-Khan II with a request to help them against the continuous attacks of southern neighbours. Surkhay-Khan II did not allow his nephew Aslan-Bek to inherit the region of Kura from his father Shahmardan-Bek. Aslan-Bek fled and later began to seek Russian support.
In 1792 Surkhay-Khan II concluded an agreement with Mustafa-Khan of Shirvan, to capture Khanate of Shaki
Shaki Khanate
Shaki khanate was an Azerbaijani khanate on the territory of modern Azerbaijan between 1743 and 1819 with its capital in the town of Shaki.-History:...
and divide it among themselves. Muhammad Hasan-Khan of Shaki repelled the attack of allies.
Internal order
During 1796 Surkhay-Khan II was an influential ruler in Dagestan having an active army of 25 thousand men. His territories included southern Dagestan and Djaro-Balakan region, stretching from DerbentDerbent
Derbent |Lak]]: Чурул, Churul; Persian: دربند; Judæo-Tat: דארבּאנד/Дэрбэнд/Dərbənd) is a city in the Republic of Dagestan, Russia, close to the Azerbaijani border. It is the southernmost city in Russia, and it is the second most important city of Dagestan...
to the border with Georgia
Georgia (country)
Georgia is a sovereign state in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded to the west by the Black Sea, to the north by Russia, to the southwest by Turkey, to the south by Armenia, and to the southeast by Azerbaijan. The capital of...
. Total annual revenue of Lak Khan during the rule of Surkhay-Khan II (1789–1826) was estimated by Butkov at "80 thousand roubles".
Major-General Fedor Akhverdov of Kizlyar
Kizlyar
Kizlyar is a town in the Republic of Dagestan, Russia, located in the delta of the Terek River northwest of Makhachkala. Population: 30,000 ....
fortress had given interesting information about internal order of Kazi-Kumukh Khanate: "Khan is strict in applying the law, his territories are quite vast, the word thief does not exist so that our Armenian merchants with silk and other staff once arrived drop their goods in the street near the house where they have accommodation and send the horse in the field and no one touches them. His subjects have abundant cattle breeding, particularly in sheep flocks, large wheat harvest and silk production too".
The provincial governments were ruled by jama'ats (men over 15), the chiefs (marts arantal - honorable men), judge (qadi), herald (mangush, chaush, mukhchi) and executor (yalurzu). Constabulary functions were carried out by Khan's troops. The politics of Khanate was regulated by a supreme counsel at the court (divan) of the Khan, where chief advisers (viziers), qadis, sheiks and other clerics took part. Families of the lateral branches of the Khan's house elected army generals and commanders who also participated in the meetings of the court.
Caucasian conflict
At the end of 18th century Caucasian conflict erupted once again with participation of Iran, Turkey and Russia.In 1795 the new Shah of Iran Qajar Aga-Mohammed
Mohammad Khan Qajar
Agha Muḥammad Khān Qājār was the chief of the Qajar tribe, succeeding his father Mohammad Hassan Khan, who was killed on the orders of Adil Shah. He became the Emperor/Shah of Persia in 1794 and established the Qajar dynasty...
announced his claims on the Caucasian territories. Shah sent his "firmans" in which under the threat of extermination he demanded subordination from neighboring Khans. Azerbaijani rulers appealed to Russia to accept their allegiance.
In 1796 Catherine II of Russia
Catherine II of Russia
Catherine II, also known as Catherine the Great , Empress of Russia, was born in Stettin, Pomerania, Prussia on as Sophie Friederike Auguste von Anhalt-Zerbst-Dornburg...
sent general Valerian Zubov
Valerian Zubov
Count Valerian Aleksandrovich Zubov was a Russian general who led the Persian Expedition of 1796. His siblings included Platon Zubov and Olga Zherebtsova....
for further conquest of Southern Dagestan. General Zubov in a short time seized Quba Khanate
Quba Khanate
The Quba Khanate was an independent principality on the territory of modern day Azerbaijan from 1747-1806. The Quba Khanate was founded as a feudal hold around 1680 as a result of a land grant to the Saytaq family, who were related to both the Qajar dynasty and the Utsmi of Tarki in Dagestan and...
and laid siege to Derbent. Shikh Ali-Khan of Derbent sent his family to Kazi-Kumukh and proceeded to defend the city.
After three months of siege, Derbent was captured and Shikh Ali-Khan taken captive. Later, Shikh Ali-Khan escaped from captivity and came to Surkhay-Khan II. After the death of Catherine II, Russian troops pulled out of Southern Dagestan. Surkhay-Khan II with 15 thousand army advanced to Quba
Quba (city)
Quba is a city in and the capital of the Quba Rayon of Azerbaijan...
and with a sudden attack inflicted considerable losses to battalion of lieutenant Bakunin near Alpan
Alpan, Azerbaijan
Alpan is a village and municipality in the Quba Rayon of Azerbaijan.Alpan is a one of oldest villages in Azerbaijan. it has 8000 population....
village. Major-General Bulgakov, Hasan-Khan of Quba, Sobolev with Utsmi Mehdi-Khan, son of Shamkhal and Kazi-Rostam of Tabasaran marched against Surkhay-Khan II who fortified himself near Samur river, but was surrounded and after 9 days of negotiations had to give an oath of allegiance to Russia.
Turkey being displeased at the results of its agreement with Russia started preparations for returning to Caucasus. Turkey once again sends its emissaries to the Khans of Lakia and Avaria with large sums of money asking for allience against Russia. Surkhay-Khan II, in the interests of independence of his state, becomes the ally of Turkey. Umma-Khan of Avaria initially refused to be the ally of Turkey and held talks with Russia that requested him to refuse tribute from Georgia.
Ali Kayaev writes that in 1797 Surkhay-Khan II gave decisive battles in Karachay-Cherkessia
Karachay-Cherkessia
The Karachay-Cherkess Republic , or Karachay-Cherkessia is a federal subject of Russia . Population: -Geography:*Area: *Borders:**internal: Krasnodar Krai , Kabardino-Balkar Republic , Stavropol Krai ....
. In the memory of those events there remained villages of Surkhayli and Lakshukay.
In 1800 November 7, near Iori river a major battle took place between the Russian-Georgian squad under the command of Major-General Gulyakov and the host of Umma-Khan of Avaria.
In 1803 the night of Octobers 22, Surkhay-Khan II with an army of 8 thousand Dagestanis crossed river Alazani
Alazani
The Alazani is a river that flows through the Caucasus.It is the main tributary of the Kura in eastern Georgia, and flows for 351 km...
and attacked the detachment of Kabardian grenadier battalion of Tiflis regiment under the command of Major-General Gulyakov who succeeded in repelling the attack. Yermilov
Aleksey Petrovich Yermolov
Aleksey Petrovich Yermolov , or Ermolov , was a Russian Imperial general of the 19th century who commanded Russian troops in the Caucasus War.-Early life:...
wrote: "Surkhay-Khan II of Kazi-Kumukh is the most cunning of Muslim rulers". Gordin Y. A. wrote that " Surkhay-Khan II is one of the strongest rulers in Dagestan".
Battle in Djaro-Balakan
In 1804 January 15 in Djaro-Balakan district, Khalid-Bek, son of Surkhay-Khan II, led the punitive detachment of Major-General Gulyakov into the gorge of mountains. Gulyakov was killed. Khalid-Bek became the favourite of highlanders. Many songs were written about him. In one of them it was said: "Spread out your golden-edged banner, Khalid, warriors are waiting for you".Surkhay-Khan II though at times gave an oath in writing, flatly refused to sign the treaty of the Russian Tsar.
At the beginning of 1811 Nukh-Bek, also son of Surkhay-Khan II, gained victory at the fortress of Tsakhur. From Derbent general Glazenap equipped special expedition for capturing Surkhay-Khan II. Tsarist command in the Caucasus was using political and military measures to break the resistance Surkhay-Khan II and Shikh Ali-Khan of Derbent. Both rulers had been repeatedly defeated by Russians, swore allegiance to them and violated it.
In December 1811 the army of Nukh-Bek and Shikh Ali-Khan undertook an attack on Quba, where at Gustav village a battle took place with general Khatunsev. Surkhay-Khan II retreated to his stronghold in Kurakh. In 1811 December 15, generals Guryev and Khatuntsev besieged the fortress of Kurakh. The defense of a front tower Surkhay-Khan II gave to forty men from Muchiyan district of Lakia under the command of Chopan from Khaikhi. Highlanders repelled enemy assaults with well-aimed fire. At midnight the tower collapsed under heavy cannon-fire and hand-to-hand combat started. Kurakh was captured. Surkhay-Khan II with remains of his army returned to Kazi-Kumukh. General Khatuntsev passed the management of Kurakh, the capital of Kura region, to Aslan-Bek, son of Shahmardan-Bek.
Battle in Khosrekh
On instructions of Philip PaulucciPhilip Osipovich Paulucci
Philip Osipovich Paulucci was a marquis and a Russian adjutant general.-Life:He first served in the French army in 1807 before moving to the Russian service with the rank of colonel...
, the commander-in-chief of Caucasian Army, general Khatuntsev began negotiations with Surkhay-Khan II demanding him to surrender and give out Nukh-Bek and Shikh Ali-Khan as ransom of trust (amanat). Surkhay-Khan II refused to follow any of the requests. In July 1812, Khatuntsev marched to Richa village and then moven on to Kazi-Kumukh, but suffered a big defeat from the Khan's army near the Lak village of Khosrekh. Khatuntsev undertook an attack on Kazi-Kumukh a second time, however Surkhay-Khan II started negotiations and sent his son Murtazali-Bek who brought to Khatuntsev a letter of oath, signed and sealed by his father. In May 1813 Surkhay-Khan II attacked the Kurakh garrison, but was repelled by Aslan-Bek and returned to Kazi-Kumukh.
Surkhay-Khan II transferred control of Khanate to his son Murtazali-Bek and left for Tabriz
Tabriz
Tabriz is the fourth largest city and one of the historical capitals of Iran and the capital of East Azerbaijan Province. Situated at an altitude of 1,350 meters at the junction of the Quri River and Aji River, it was the second largest city in Iran until the late 1960s, one of its former...
to Shah Abbas-Mirza. Surkhay-Khan II was not able to win over the Shah due to a Treaty of Gulistan on October 12 of 1813 where Persia acknowledged the victory of Russia and transferred to her Georgia and Dagestan.
In August 1815 Surkhay-Khan II suddenly attacked the Kurakh fortress where battalion of major Pozdrevski suffered casualties. In 1816, Ermolov was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Caucasus region.
In 1818 Surkhay-Khan II sent a Kazi-Kumukh regiment to assist Girey-Khan of Mekhtula Khanate. The Khan of Kaitag with the people of Akusha attacked general Pestel near Bashli village. Surkhay-Khan II and Sultan Ahmed-Khan of Avaria fought in the battle of Boltugi. General Khatuntsev fortified his army in the village of Chirakh.
Campaign to Chirakh
In 1819 October 19, Surkhay-Khan II with a 6 thousand army attacked the Chirakh garrison but didn’t succeed and retreated. After a few months under the banners of Surkhay-Khan II there gathered in the mountains a large army of highlanders. Ali Kayaev wrote: "in all the battles of Surkhay-Khan II with Russia, people of Andalal were always on his side under his banners". Part of his army under the command of Nukh-Bek, Surkhay-Khan II sent to help the people of Akusha against general Madatov, some part of the army he left in Kazi-Kumukh and with the remaining army marched again to Chirakh.Chirakh garrison, led by captain Ovechkin, staunchly defended the fortress. The fight lasted 4 days. Surkhay-Khan II ordered to retreat in view of new Russian troops approaching Chirakh. Major General Vrede ordered to restore the strongholds of the Tsar's troops in Beduk, Richa and Chirakh, to protect against the attacks of Surkhay-Khan II.
Capture of Kazi-Kumukh
In 1820 general Aleksey ErmolovAleksey Petrovich Yermolov
Aleksey Petrovich Yermolov , or Ermolov , was a Russian Imperial general of the 19th century who commanded Russian troops in the Caucasus War.-Early life:...
decided to capture Kazi-Kumukh, which became the stronghold of anti-colonial struggle of highlanders, by a direct attack. A decisive battle took place on June 12th near the Lak village of Khosrekh where Surkhay-Khan II and his sons fortified their positions. General Madatov
Valerian Madatov
Prince Valerian Grigoryevich Madatov was an Armenian prince and a lieutenant-general of the Russian Empire.-Early life:...
and also army divisions from Shirvan, Shaki, Quba and Karabakh began slowly moving to Khosrekh.
By artillery fire Russians overcame the defences of highlanders. General Khalid-Bek and 1070 gazies were killed in this battle. Khosrekh was captured and further Kazi-Kumukh. In 1820 after a long war of Surkhay-Khan II, the Khanate of Kazi-Kumukh was conquered by Russian empire. Ermolov wrote after capturing Kazi-Kumukh: "Russian army appeared in this place for the first time". In August 1820 Surkhay-Khan II left for Persia to Fat′h Ali-Shah.
Surkhay-Khan II inherited from his father the independent Khanate of Kazi-Kumukh and Russian intrusion into Dagestan must have been compared to the Persian in the days of Surkhay-Khan I, which highlanders successfully repelled. Surkhay-Khan II gave dozens of battles, of which the largest were at Baku, Derbent, Tiflis, Khosrekh, Akhulgo, Chirakh, Kurakh, Kartukh, Alazani
Alazani
The Alazani is a river that flows through the Caucasus.It is the main tributary of the Kura in eastern Georgia, and flows for 351 km...
, Quba
Quba (city)
Quba is a city in and the capital of the Quba Rayon of Azerbaijan...
, Akusha
Akushinsky District
Akushinsky District is an administrative and municipal district , one of the forty-one in the Republic of Dagestan, Russia. The area of the district is . Its administrative center is the rural locality of Akusha. District's population: 52,455 ; Population of Akusha accounts for 8.6% of the...
, Baltugi, Akhaltsikhe
Akhaltsikhe
Akhaltsikhe is a small city in Georgia's southwestern region of Samtskhe-Javakheti. It is situated on the both banks of a small river Potskhovi, which separates the city to the old city in the north and new in the south. The name of the city translates from Georgian as "new fortress".- History...
, Akhalkalaki
Akhalkalaki
Akhalkalaki is a small city in Georgia's southern region of Samtskhe-Javakheti with a population of 60,975. Akhalkalaki lies on the edge of the Javakheti Volcanic Plateau. The city is located about 30 km from the border with Turkey. 90 percent of the city's population are ethnic Armenians...
, Kartli
Kartli
Kartli is a historical region in central-to-eastern Georgia traversed by the river Mtkvari , on which Georgia's capital, Tbilisi, is situated. Known to the Classical authors as Iberia, Kartli played a crucial role in ethnic and political consolidation of the Georgians in the Middle Ages...
, Kakheti
Kakheti
Kakheti is a historical province in Eastern Georgia inhabited by Kakhetians who speak a local dialect of Georgian. It is bordered by the small mountainous province of Tusheti and the Greater Caucasus mountain range to the north, Russian Federation to the Northeast, Azerbaijan to the Southeast, and...
, at fortresses of Nizovaya, Burnaya and Vnezapnaya in Chechnya, at fortress of Surkhayli in Cherkessia, at the fall of Ganja
Ganja, Azerbaijan
Ganja is Azerbaijan's second-largest city with a population of around 313,300. It was named Yelizavetpol in the Russian Empire period. The city regained its original name—Ganja—from 1920–1935 during the first part of its incorporation into the Soviet Union. However, its name was changed again and...
and during the siege of Yerevan
Yerevan
Yerevan is the capital and largest city of Armenia and one of the world's oldest continuously-inhabited cities. Situated along the Hrazdan River, Yerevan is the administrative, cultural, and industrial center of the country...
, as well took part in the battles in Kars
Kars
Kars is a city in northeast Turkey and the capital of Kars Province. The population of the city is 73,826 as of 2010.-Etymology:As Chorzene, the town appears in Roman historiography as part of ancient Armenia...
, Ardagan
Ardahan Province
Ardahan Province is a province in the far north-east of Turkey, at the very end of the country, where Turkey borders with Georgia . The provincial capital is the city of Ardahan.- Geography :...
and Erzurum
Erzurum
Erzurum is a city in Turkey. It is the largest city, the capital of Erzurum Province. The city is situated 1757 meters above sea level. Erzurum had a population of 361,235 in the 2000 census. .Erzurum, known as "The Rock" in NATO code, served as NATO's southeastern-most air force post during the...
.
In this period of Caucasian war from 1796 to 1827, Russians overcoming the heroic defence of highlanders captured Dagestan and Chechnya. After the war, all rulers of North Caucasus were under the oath of allegiance to Russia. Caucasian war was practically considered completed, but afterwards the war flames up with renewed strength.
Aslan-Khan
In 1820 the ruler of Kazi-Kumukh Khanate becomes Aslan-Bek who also inherited the Kura region which was restored by Russians into an independent Khanate in gratitude to Aslan-Bek for his services. Aslan-Khan was elevated to the rank of Major-General.In 1826 Surkhay-Khan II returned from Persia and in 1827 died in the village of Sogratl in Andalal at the age of 83. His son Nukh-Bek migrated to Turkey where he died in 1828.
Becoming part of Russia, highlanders ran into state organised serfdom
Serfdom
Serfdom is the status of peasants under feudalism, specifically relating to Manorialism. It was a condition of bondage or modified slavery which developed primarily during the High Middle Ages in Europe and lasted to the mid-19th century...
. Russian management toughened exploitation of peasants. This situation inevitability led to a powerful social unrest and revolt.
In the period of new Caucasian war under the leadership of three Imams, Laks proved themselves active again. At the capture of Gergebel village by Naib Kebed-Muhammad there were up to 300 Laks in his army. In spite of prohibitions Laks constantly conducted trade on all the territories of Imamate and 80 merchants had special guard folios from Imam. Laks were such political figures of Caucasian war as Haji Yahya-Bek, Muhammad-Efendi Guyminski, Buk-Muhammad and Bashir-Bek (Naibs of Imam Shamil). Direct descendant of Khans of Kazi-Kumukh was Muhammad-Amin (Imam of Abkhazia and Cherkessia 1848-1859).
In 1832 in a meeting in Gotsatl where Shamkhal of Tarki and Ahmed-Khan of Mekhtula Khanate participated, Aslan-Khan declared that only he has the right to rule Avaria as its ruler Pakhu-Beke, an old woman, was killed in a siege by Islamic militants. Mother of Aslan-Khan, Aymesey, was sister of Umma-Khan of Avaria. All nobles of Dagestan wished to rule Avaria. Haji Yahya-Bek, nephew of Aslan-Khan, becomes the ruler of Avaria.
Nutsal Aga-Khan
In 1836 the ruler of Kazi-Kumukh becomes Nutsal Aga-Bek, the eldest son of Aslan-Khan. Nutsal Aga-Khan arrived at the funeral of his father as a legitimate Khan, appointed by Russian Tsar. Kazi-Kumukh Khanate included Lakia, Avaria and Kura. Kura Khanate was ruled by Garun-Bek, son of Tagir-Bek, brother of Aslan-Khan. Avaria was ruled by Haji Yahya-Bek, the second son of Tagir-Bek.Nutsal Aga-Khan removed Haji Yahya-Bek, the ruler of Avaria, and appointed in his place his younger brother Muhammad Mirza. There were in Kazi-Kumukh cousins of Nutsal Aga-Khan, sons of Omar-Bek, the second brother of Aslan-Khan, who too claimed the right to the throne. In August the same year, Nutsal Aga-Khan suddenly for all died.
Muhammad Mirza-Khan
In 1836 Muhammad Mirza-Khan, brother of Nutsal Aga-Khan, came from Avaria and was appointed as Khan of Kazi-Kumukh. Haji Yahya-Bek again becomes the ruler of Avaria. Muhammad Mirza-Khan was promoted to the rank of colonel and got a letter of investitureInvestiture
Investiture, from the Latin is a rather general term for the formal installation of an incumbent...
from the Russian Tsar. In 1838 Muhammad Mirza-Khan fell ill and died just as the elder brother.
Ummu Kulsum-Beke
In 1838 the ruler of the Kazi-kumukh becomes Ummu Kulsum-Beke, wife of Aslan-Khan. In 1839 Shamil positioned his army in the locality of AkhulgoSiege of Akhoulgo
The siege of Akhoulgo took place in June–August 1839 during the Caucasian War, when the Imperial Russian army under the command of Generals Yevgeny Golovin and Pavel Grabbe surrounded Imam Shamil and his followers, numbering about 5,000 men, in their mountain stronghold of Akhoulgo, nestled in the...
and led battles with Russians.
Ummu Kulsum-Beke, an old woman, spent almost two years behind locked doors with people she trusted. Representatives of Kazi-Kumukh clergy came to Ummu Kulsum-Beke with a request from people to take charge of state affairs offering her Mahmud-Bek, nephew of Aslan-Khan, as an assistant.
Abdurahman-Bek, son of Omar-Bek, and Haji Yahya-Bek being disaffected with Mahmud-Bek who took all the power in his hands, began agitating people. Abdurahman-Bek was summoned by general Golovin to Derbent and sent to live in the village of Zukhul under the supervision of military district authorities. Haji Yahya-Bek gave his word will not leave, but later fled to Imam Shamil and became one of his Naibs. Haji Yahya-Bek starts negotiations with Mahmud-Bek to assist Imam Shamil. It was said in the Russian document of that time: "Mahmud-Bek and Garun-Bek have gradually involved everyone in very close relations with Shamil". Prushanovsky wrote: "if someone was robbed by Shamil, it was enough to come to Mahmud-Bek and the lost property was always returned".
In 1841 Haji Yahya-Bek leads an uprising and with the people of Imam Shamil takes the fortress of Kazi-Kumukh, briefly incorporating Lak lands into Imamate. Imam Shamil later arrived in Kazi-Kumukh. Mahmud-Bek and his brother Garun-Bek the ruler of Kura Khanate, who were in Kazi-Kumukh, declared themselves allies of Imam Shamil.
Abdurahman-Khan
In 1841 Abdurahman-Bek was elected the ruler of Kazi-Kumukh. Abdurahman-Bek married Shamay-Beke, daughter of Nutsal Aga-Khan. In 1842 the royal detachment under the command of Colonel Zalivkin moved to Kurakh and arrested Garun-Bek and sent him to Tbilisi. The management Kura Khanate was entrusted to his brother Yusuf-Bek. In 1844 Shamil takes over villages of Nitsovkra, Duchi, Tulisma, Kulushats and Churtakh in Lakia.In the summer of 1847 Aglar-Bek, younger brother of Abdurahman-Khan, arrived from St. Petersburg to Kazi-Kumukh in the rank of staff-captain of the Russian Army Guards. From the early years Aglar-Bek was in St. Petersburg as a hostage. General Argutinsky stood with his army on the hills of Turchidag awaiting a battle with Shamil. Abdurahman-Khan and Aglar-Bek with their army came to help the general as to prevent Shamil from breaking into Kazi-Kumukh. Russians successfully repelled all attacks of Shamil. Shamil started negotiations with Abdurahman-Khan. Upon learning this, Argutinsky removed Abdurahman-Khan from his command on the battlefield.
Aglar-Khan
In 1848 the ruler of Kazi-Kumukh Khanate becomes Aglar Khan (1848–1859). Haji Yahya-Bek suffers defeat from Aglar-Khan in a battle for Lak village of Shovkra. Nevertheless, Aglar-Khan often rescued Imam Shamil under difficult circumstances.In 1851 Naib Buk-Muhammad of Kazi-Kumukh with part of his people was killed on the battlefield, helping people of Tabasaran and Kaitag in the holy war in the village of Shilagi. He was buried with honours in the Kirkhlar cemetery of martyrs in Derbent. On the banner of Buk-Muhammad captured by Russians the following inscription was embroidered: "Do not lose bravery. Be indifferent to the dangers of war. Nobody will die before a decreed hour of death".
For his last offensive Imam Shamil chose village of Gunib
Gunib
Gunib , also spelled Ghunib, is an aul in the Republic of Dagestan, Russia. It is the administrative center of Gunibsky District. Population: 2,406 ; 2,405 ....
. In 1859 general Aleksandr Baryatinskiy
Aleksandr Baryatinskiy
Aleksandr Ivanovich Baryatinsky , Russian General and Field Marshal , Prince, governor of the Caucasus.Baryatinsky entered the school of the ensigns of the Guard in his seventeenth year and, on November 8, 1833, received his commission of cornet in the Life Guards of the future Tsar Alexander II...
surrounded Gunib and promised Shamil a free passage to Mecca for a permanent residence there. Shamil requested a Russian general to be given to him as a hostage and refused to lay down arms. Baryatinskiy began assault. After a couple of assaults colonel Lazarev came to Imam Shamil and managed to convince him to stop the resistance. Imam Shamil was 63 years old. Shamil with his family, surrounded by a numerous escort was taken to Temir-Khan-Shura city (modern day Bujnaksk). In Chuguevo on September 15, Alexander II met with Shamil. Honoured captivity of Shamil lasted ten years. Charles King notes: "Whereas previous enemies of the empire had been imprisoned, killed or exiled, Shamil became a national celebrity in Russia. After his surrender, he settled into a comfortable retirement in Kaluga, southeast of Moscow". Turkish sultan accepted Shamil with honours.
In 1859 after the death of Aglar-Khan, Khanate of Kazi-Kumukh was abolished "due to absence of heir", although there was such heir: Jafar-Bek, son of Aglar-Khan, who was still young. The territory of Khanate was renamed as Kazi-Kumukh District. Management of Kazi-Kumukh District was given to a Russian staff-officer. In 1860, a thousand-year history of Lak State was over.
See also
- History of the Lak peopleHistory of the Lak peopleLak people , self-designation – Lak . Native language - Lak. Laks name their place of settlement "Lakral Kanu" . Historical capital of Laks is Kumukh — one of the ancient cultural and religions centres of Dagestan...
- DagestanDagestanThe Republic of Dagestan is a federal subject of Russia, located in the North Caucasus region. Its capital and the largest city is Makhachkala, located at the center of Dagestan on the Caspian Sea...
- Northeastern Caucasian languages
- Lak languageLak languageThe Lak language is a Northeast Caucasian language forming its own branch within this family. It is the language of the Lak people from the Russian autonomous republic of Dagestan, where it is one of six standardized languages...