Panah Ali Khan
Encyclopedia
Panah-Ali khan Javanshir (Azerbaijani
: Pənah Əli Qarabağlı) (1693, Sarijali
, Azerbaijan
– 1761, Shiraz
, Iran
) was the founder and first ruler of Karabakh khanate
, initially under nominal Persian suzerainty
and by 1748 an independent feudal state that existed in 1747–1822 in Karabakh
and adjacent areas..
) had for long been rivals of the Yirmi-Dört (meaning twenty-four in Azerbaijani
) and Ziyadoglu Qajars of Ganja
, whose chiefs had been official rulers of Karabakh since Safavid times.
Panah Ali's paternal great grandfather and namesake Panah Ali bey served at the court of Ganja
beylerbey
s (governors) in the early 17th century, at the time when the region's was directly controlled by the Safavid Empire. He soon retired, married a woman from the Javanshir clan
of Karabakh
and had a son by the name of Ali (nicknamed Sarija Ali). They lived in their estate located in Arasbar (present-day Khojavend
and Agdam rayons of Azerbaijan
) but also owned land in Tartar
and the northern shores of the Aras River. The Arasbar estate was rebuilt into a castle in Sarija Ali's son Ibrahim Khalil's lifetime and has been known as Ibrahim Khalil Galasi since.
After the dethronement of the Safavids in 1736 by Nader Shah
, the landed classes of Ganja and Karabakh gathered in Mugan (the Javanshirs were also among them) deciding to oppose the usurper's reign and agreeing on trying to get the Safavids back on the throne. When this news reached Nadeh Shah, he ordered all Muslim landowners of the region and their families deported to Khorasan
(northeastern Iran
) as a punishment. Thus the future khan Panah Ali happened to be among the deportees.
In 1747, Panah Ali, by then already a successful naib
and royal gérant de maison, found himself displeased with Nader Shah's attitude towards him and having gathered many of those deported from Karabakh in 1736, returned to his homeland. Due to his reputation as a skillful warrior and his wealthy ancestor's legacy in Karabakh, Panah Ali proclaimed himself and was soon recognized throughout most of the region as a ruler (khan
). The shah sent troops to bring back the runaway however the order was never fulfilled: Nader Shah himself was killed in Khorasan in June of the same year. The new ruler of Persia, Adil Shah
issued a firman (decree) recognizing Panah Ali as the Khan of Karabakh.
district and Ardabil
, moved into the Bayat castle with their families, having heard about Panah Ali Khan's success, governance and mercy."
Strengthening of Panah Ali khan's power faced resistance from other khans (e.g. Khan of Ganca, Khan of Shaki
) and from meliks of Nagorno-Karabakh
. The struggle between the Karabakh khan and Haji Chelebi Khan of Shaki
, one of the most powerful feudal rulers of the South Caucasus
, started in 1748. Haji Chalabi Khan wishing Panah Ali khan's power not increased further, allied with the Khan of Shirvan
and surrounded the castle of Bayat. The allies for the whole month unsuccessfully tried to capture the capital of the Karabakh khanate. The Shaki and Shirvan khans withdrew, incurring huge casualties and failing to accomplish the mission. Haji Chelebi Khan was forced to admit: "Until now Panah Khan was raw silver that was not minted. We came, minted it, and returned." Same quote from another Karabakh historian of 19th century, Mirza Yusif, reads: "Until now Panah Khan was merely gold, we came and minted a coin from that gold."
took control of much of Persia, he forced Panāh Khan to come to Shiraz, where he died as a hostage.Panah-Ali Khan's son Ibrahim-Khalil Khan was sent back to Karabakh as governor. Ibrahim, succeeding his father (1760), not only ruled over most of Qarābāḡ, but also became one of the major potentates in the Caucasus.
Azerbaijani language
Azerbaijani or Azeri or Torki is a language belonging to the Turkic language family, spoken in southwestern Asia by the Azerbaijani people, primarily in Azerbaijan and northwestern Iran...
: Pənah Əli Qarabağlı) (1693, Sarijali
Tartar (rayon)
Tartar is a rayon of Azerbaijan. Most of it has been under the control of the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh Republic since the Nagorno-Karabakh War, as part of Martakert Province....
, Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan , officially the Republic of Azerbaijan is the largest country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded by the Caspian Sea to the east, Russia to the north, Georgia to the northwest, Armenia to the west, and Iran to...
– 1761, Shiraz
Shiraz
Shiraz may refer to:* Shiraz, Iran, a city in Iran* Shiraz County, an administrative subdivision of Iran* Vosketap, Armenia, formerly called ShirazPeople:* Hovhannes Shiraz, Armenian poet* Ara Shiraz, Armenian sculptor...
, Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
) was the founder and first ruler of Karabakh khanate
Karabakh khanate
The Karabakh khanate was a semi-independent khanate on the territories of modern Azerbaijan and Armenia established in about 1750 under Persian suzerainty in Karabakh and adjacent areas. The Karabakh khanate existed until 1805, when the Russian Empire gained control over it from Persia...
, initially under nominal Persian suzerainty
Suzerainty
Suzerainty occurs where a region or people is a tributary to a more powerful entity which controls its foreign affairs while allowing the tributary vassal state some limited domestic autonomy. The dominant entity in the suzerainty relationship, or the more powerful entity itself, is called a...
and by 1748 an independent feudal state that existed in 1747–1822 in 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...
and adjacent areas..
Origins and early life
Panah Ali Khan was from the Sarijali branch of the clan of Javanshir, who with their associate clan of Otuz-Iki (meaning thirty-two in AzerbaijaniAzerbaijani language
Azerbaijani or Azeri or Torki is a language belonging to the Turkic language family, spoken in southwestern Asia by the Azerbaijani people, primarily in Azerbaijan and northwestern Iran...
) had for long been rivals of the Yirmi-Dört (meaning twenty-four in Azerbaijani
Azerbaijani language
Azerbaijani or Azeri or Torki is a language belonging to the Turkic language family, spoken in southwestern Asia by the Azerbaijani people, primarily in Azerbaijan and northwestern Iran...
) and Ziyadoglu Qajars 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...
, whose chiefs had been official rulers of Karabakh since Safavid times.
Panah Ali's paternal great grandfather and namesake Panah Ali bey served at the court 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...
beylerbey
Beylerbey
Beylerbey is the Ottoman and Safavid title used for the highest rank in the hierarchy of provincial administrators It is in western terms a Governor-general, with authority...
s (governors) in the early 17th century, at the time when the region's was directly controlled by the Safavid Empire. He soon retired, married a woman from the Javanshir clan
Javanshir clan
The Javanshir clan was a Turkic clan in Karabakh, which belonged to the Afshar tribe in turn a branch of Oghuz Turks. In the mid-18th century, after the death of Nader Shah, the Javanshir tribe seized power of the region. Panah Khan, the chief of the Javanshir tribe, established the Karabakh...
of 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...
and had a son by the name of Ali (nicknamed Sarija Ali). They lived in their estate located in Arasbar (present-day Khojavend
Khojavend
Khojavend is a rayon of Azerbaijan. It has been controlled by the breakway Nagorno-Karabakh Republic since the Nagorno-Karabakh War, with its northeast half as part of Martuni Province and the rest as part of Hadrut Province.- External links :*...
and Agdam rayons of Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan , officially the Republic of Azerbaijan is the largest country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded by the Caspian Sea to the east, Russia to the north, Georgia to the northwest, Armenia to the west, and Iran to...
) but also owned land in Tartar
Tartar (rayon)
Tartar is a rayon of Azerbaijan. Most of it has been under the control of the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh Republic since the Nagorno-Karabakh War, as part of Martakert Province....
and the northern shores of the Aras River. The Arasbar estate was rebuilt into a castle in Sarija Ali's son Ibrahim Khalil's lifetime and has been known as Ibrahim Khalil Galasi since.
After the dethronement of the Safavids in 1736 by Nader Shah
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...
, the landed classes of Ganja and Karabakh gathered in Mugan (the Javanshirs were also among them) deciding to oppose the usurper's reign and agreeing on trying to get the Safavids back on the throne. When this news reached Nadeh Shah, he ordered all Muslim landowners of the region and their families deported to Khorasan
Greater Khorasan
Greater Khorasan or Ancient Khorasan is a historical region of Greater Iran mentioned in sources from Sassanid and Islamic eras which "frequently" had a denotation wider than current three provinces of Khorasan in Iran...
(northeastern Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
) as a punishment. Thus the future khan Panah Ali happened to be among the deportees.
In 1747, Panah Ali, by then already a successful naib
Naib
Naib is an Arabic term for a local leader in some parts of the Ottoman Empire and eastern Caucasus.Naib or NAIB may also refer to:*National Association of Intercollegiate Basketball or National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics...
and royal gérant de maison, found himself displeased with Nader Shah's attitude towards him and having gathered many of those deported from Karabakh in 1736, returned to his homeland. Due to his reputation as a skillful warrior and his wealthy ancestor's legacy in Karabakh, Panah Ali proclaimed himself and was soon recognized throughout most of the region as a ruler (khan
Khan (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 shah sent troops to bring back the runaway however the order was never fulfilled: Nader Shah himself was killed in Khorasan in June of the same year. The new ruler of Persia, Adil Shah
Adil Shah
Adil or Adel Shah Afshar or Ali Qoli was Shah of Persia from 1747 until 1748.Subsequent to the assassination of Nader Shah in Fathabad , his nephew Ali Qoli declared himself Adil Shah , and shah of Persia...
issued a firman (decree) recognizing Panah Ali as the Khan of Karabakh.
Karabakh Khanate
The capital of the khanate was moved three times to strengthen the Panah Ali's power in the Karabakh. The Bayat fortress, built in 1748, was the khan first residence. "In a short period of time, external walls were constructed, ditches were dug out, and the bazaar, the bath and the mosque were build." Craftsmen from surrounding areas were re-settled into the castle. "Many of residents of the area and even residents, especially craftsmen, of the TabrizTabriz
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...
district and Ardabil
Ardabil
Ardabil is a historical city in north-western Iran. The name Ardabil probably comes from the Zoroastrian name of "Artavil" which means a holy place. Ardabil is the center of Ardabil Province. At the 2006 census, its population was 412,669, in 102,818 families...
, moved into the Bayat castle with their families, having heard about Panah Ali Khan's success, governance and mercy."
Strengthening of Panah Ali khan's power faced resistance from other khans (e.g. Khan of Ganca, Khan of Shaki
Shaki
Shaki is a city in northwestern Azerbaijan, in the rayon of the same name.Shaki is situated in northern Azerbaijan on the southern part of the Greater Caucasus mountain range, from Baku...
) and from meliks of Nagorno-Karabakh
Nagorno-Karabakh
Nagorno-Karabakh is a landlocked region in the South Caucasus, lying between Lower Karabakh and Zangezur and covering the southeastern range of the Lesser Caucasus mountains...
. The struggle between the Karabakh khan and Haji Chelebi Khan 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:...
, one of the most powerful feudal rulers of the South Caucasus
South Caucasus
The South Caucasus is a geopolitical region located on the border of Eastern Europe and Southwest Asia also referred to as Transcaucasia, or The Trans-Caucasus...
, started in 1748. Haji Chalabi Khan wishing Panah Ali khan's power not increased further, allied with the Khan of Shirvan
Shirvan Khanate
Shirvan Khanate was a self-governing khanate that existed in what is now Azerbaijan in 1748—1805.-History:In 1742 Shemakha was taken and destroyed by Nadir Shah of Persia, who relocated inhabitants into a new town under the same name about 16 miles to the west , at the foot of the main chain of...
and surrounded the castle of Bayat. The allies for the whole month unsuccessfully tried to capture the capital of the Karabakh khanate. The Shaki and Shirvan khans withdrew, incurring huge casualties and failing to accomplish the mission. Haji Chelebi Khan was forced to admit: "Until now Panah Khan was raw silver that was not minted. We came, minted it, and returned." Same quote from another Karabakh historian of 19th century, Mirza Yusif, reads: "Until now Panah Khan was merely gold, we came and minted a coin from that gold."
Death
When Karīm Khan ZandKarim Khan
Karim Khan Zand, , , was a ruler of Iran, and the founder of the Zand Dynasty.He was born to a family of the Zand tribe of Lur or Lak deportees...
took control of much of Persia, he forced Panāh Khan to come to Shiraz, where he died as a hostage.Panah-Ali Khan's son Ibrahim-Khalil Khan was sent back to Karabakh as governor. Ibrahim, succeeding his father (1760), not only ruled over most of Qarābāḡ, but also became one of the major potentates in the Caucasus.