Panah Ali Khan - Karabakh Khanate

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 Tabriz 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 Chalabi 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."