Javanshir Clan - Creation of Karabakh Khanate

Creation of Karabakh Khanate

Panahali khan – forefather of the dynasty and founder of Karabakh khanate, is a representative of an ancestral aristocracy of a Turkic tribe called Javanshir. After Nadir shah’s accession to power in Iran, he was called for a service by him, but after several years, in 1738, he was forced to escape from Khorasan to the North, Sheki and Shirvan, with a group of supporters. Here he created a detachment and was robbing and plundering during ten years.

Murder of Nadir shah in the result of conspiracy led to collapse of the state established by him. Taking advantage of the central power’s weakening, Panahali khan, with his detachment consisting of 200 riders, arrived Karabakh, which was ruled by Azerbaijan’s serdar at that time (with a residence in Tabriz) and declared himself an independent khan. At that time, Otuziki, Javanshir and Kebirli tribes, which were forcibly evicted to Khorasan, returned to Karabakh. Elder son of Panahali khan - 15 years old Ibrahimkhalil khan also escaped from Khorasan to Karabakh, to his father.

Strengthening of Panah khan didn’t suit his neighbors’ taste. Haji Chalabi Khan of Sheki drove a newly appeared khan out of Karabakh in that very year, but next year Panahali khan returned back with a strong detachment and destroyed Haji in a stubborn struggle. After this, all Muslim tribes of Karabakh recognized Panahali khan’s power. Kurdish and Turkish tribes Otuziki, Javanshir and Kebirli dwelling in low-lying regions, became a kernel of Karabakh khanate. The khanate occupied a significant territory and included low-lying and also mountainous parts of Karabakh. Initially, a residence of khan was Bayat Castle, constructed in 1748. Later the ruler moved to Shahbulag Castle. In 1751, unapproachable Panahabad fortress, built by Panah khan, became the capital of the khanate.