Administrative Territorial Division

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                Yet in 1919 the government of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic adhered to the principal of traditional historical-geographical administrative division and annexing Shusha, Dkavanshir, Dhabrail and Zangezur regions to Karabakh governorship-general. The government of the Soviet Azerbaijan also demanded Armenia to withdraw its troops from Zangezur and Karabakh in its diplomatic note of April 30, 1920. 

                However, later 3.105 sq. versts out of total 6.742 sq. versts of Zangezur retained the part of Azerbaijan, while its 3.637 sq.versts were delivered to Armenia. 

The hardest blow struck to Azerbaijan and the most hostile act was the separation of Nakhichevan from other Azeri lands, and cutting off its contacts with them through delivering a part of Zangezur to Armenia. Moreover, the step was the preparation for the further implementation of Armenia's mean plans concerning Nakhichevan.

As a result of purposefully implemented processes of 1920-1923 the lands constituting Karabakh khanate lost their traditional historical-geographical integrity. The country was divided on 15 regions by the list of settlements issued on the basis of the materials of agricultural census enumerations conducted in 1917 and 1921. Karabakh comprised Djabrail (Karyagin), Djavanshir, Qubadly (a part of the former Zangezur region) and Shusha region. 

                Considering various administrative divisions conducted in the Soviet Azerbaijan, the Central Statistical Agency of Azerbaijan made calculations on the area of the country, the national composition and other issues on the basis of the materials of 1921's agricultural census enumeration. They defined that of the historical area of Karabakh (the borders of the khanate) the autonomous province of Daghlig Garabagh with an area 4.160.5 km2, Djabrail region-4.268.5 km2, Aghdam region-4.135.5 km2, Kurdistan-3.432.4 km2 (total 15.996.9 km2) retained the part of Azerbaijan, while part of the historical lands of Azerbaijan were torn from it and granted to Armenia.

Further administrative divisions resulted in the establishment of Zengilan (0.7 thousand km2), Qubadly (0.8 thousand km2), Lachyn (1.8 thousand km2) regions on a part of Zangezur preserved within Azerbaijan SSR with definite alterations (first Qubadly, later Kurdistan region).At the same time Aghdam and Djebrail regions were divided into Aghdam (1.1 thousand km2), Barda (1 thousand km2) Aghdjabedi (1.8 thousand km2), Terter (0.4 thousand km2) and Djebrail (1 thousand km2) districts. Thus Karabakh khanate, that played a occupied a worthy place in the history of the Azerbaijani state organization was divided in two parts with one part granted to Armenia while the other part turned to the Autonomous Province of Daghlig Garabagh within Azerbaijan.

                The resolution of the commission, working our the statue of the Autonomous Province of Daghlig Garabagh provided for the annexation of over 170 districts to the autonomy. The Central Statistical Agency of Azerbaijan noted that in 1924 the number of the districts exceeded 200, while the book of Armenian Q.Kocharyan points out the figure 215. These facts prove that the territory of Daghlig Garabagh expanded and Armenians dominated the number of the population and ethnic composition in the new settlements. 

                Following the establishment of the Autonomous Province of Daghlig Garabagh is's territory was divided in accordance with the principle district-volost-village as follows: 

1 Dizag district that comprised 5 volosts (Hadrut, Tugh, Khozaturd, Arakul, Edilli) and 48 villages; 

2 Verende district, including 5 volosts (Taghavert, Sus, Chartaz, Norashen) and 46 villages; 

3 Shusha district, covering Shusha city and Malybeyli volost (12 villages); 

4 Khachyn district, that comprised 4 volosts (Dashbulaq, Askeran, Krasnoselsk, Qala) and 53 villages; 

5 Djerabend district. The region covered 4 volosts (Margushevan, Oratag, Dovshanly, Aterk) and 53 villages.

In the conduction of the new administrative division a number of alterations were made in the Autonomous Province of Daghlig Garabagh. In August of 1930 its territory again was divided in five districts: 1. Djeraberd, 2. Martuni, 3. Stepanakert, 4. Dizag, 5. Shusha. Obviously, Varanda is called Martuni, the area of Khatuni belonged to Stepanakert. On August 17 of 1939 Djerabert was renamed Mardakert, Dizag acquired the name Hadrut.

The policy of widening the towns struck hard blow on Shusha in early 1960th.Shusha district was abolished on January 4, 1963 and its territory transferred to Stepanakert. 

Shusha district was restored on January 6, 1965. Askeran district was established in place of Stepanakert in 1978. Such administrative division of the Autonomous Province of Daghlig Garabagh existed till the collapse of USSR.

 

Cities and Regions

 

Aghdara

 

 

 

                Agdara region located in the north of Nagorno-Karabakh region was founded during the Soviet rule in 1930. Till 1939it was called as Jerabert, from that year till 1991 as Mardakert. In 1991, the name of area restored. In October 1992 by decision of the government of Azerbaijan, the territory of Aghdara region was divided among three regions outside of Karabakh - Tartar, Aghdam, and Kelbajar.

                In 1992, as a result of attack of Azerbaijan army Agdara city was liberated on July 4 from Armenian invaders. In July 7, 1993 the Armenian army re-occupied the city Agdara. Agdara was one of the important agricultural regions of Karabakh zone. The economy dominated by the viticulture, grain cropping , tobacco, and cattle-breeding.

Among the well-known architectural monuments of the region are Ganjasar Albanian temple in the village of Vangli, holy Iako temple in the village Kolatag (of 635), Urek temple (XII century) near the village of Talysh, the temple at upper flow of the river Tartar (XIII century), Hatem Malik Tower, many ancient temples and bridges. All of these were destroyed by the Armenian occupants.

               The territory of Agdara is currently under Armenian occupation.

 

 

 

Asgeran

 

 

 

                Askeran is a town within administrative-territorial area of the Khojaly region of Azerbaijan Republic. It is located at the banks of Qarqarchay. The name of this town was taken from Askeran fortress, one of the fortresses built by Karabakh khans in the XVIII century. The castle was built at the place once called in the past as Askeran. The name of the place was taken from known to the ancient sources, word “eski” - old and Aran (Arran toponym) and means the "Old Arran, ancient Aran". In "Albanian History” the name of this place was given as Mets Aran (Big Aran).

               While the occupation of Khojaly region by the Armenians the town of Askeran (February 1992) was occupied, too and now under Armenian seize.

 

 

 

Khankendi

 

 

 

                Khankendi is subordinated city in the Republic of Azerbaijan. Administratively its coverage area includes the city of Khankendi and Karkijahan settlement. The population is 53,100 (2008). Khankendi included in administrative area of Askeran region. 

After the establishment of Soviet power on July 7, 1923 the decree "On creation of the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast" was issued. At that Decree Khankendi was announced as centre of Khankendi region. Later the city was named after Stepan Shaumyan "Stepanakert".

Since 1991, by the decision of the National Assembly of the Republic of Azerbaijan the historical injustice was corrected and the former name of the city "Khankendi" was restored.

                Khankendi is characterized by the fact that compared to most other Azeri cities it is young. According to archive documents the city was founded at the end of the XVIII century, at that time of Karabakh khanate, one of the independent Azerbaijani khanates, by the heads of states as the settlement was for the rest of khans. To create maximum conditions for activity of khans the place was established at 10th km of the khanate, the capital of the khanate Panahabad (now of Shusha), comparatively at the foot of the mountain. In this case, its vicinity to other important cities and villages of the khanate, Aghdam, Khojaly, Malıbayli, Karkijahan and others was taken as the key factor. So, in other settlements, such as new settlements, only the local population, Azerbaijanis lived. The first years, only khan’s family and the relatives lived at the new residential areas it was known among people as “the village of Khan" (Khan kendi). After a short time the settlement got the name of Khankendi.

Occupation of Karabakh as in all regions of Russia has significant influence on the fate of the Khankendi. The previous life-style was destroyed. Although in 1813 not a single Armenian and Russian family of lived in Khankendi, and already in 1847 more than 80 Armenian, 52 Russian families lived there and homes and Armenian Church was there. Immediately after the Russian occupation headquarters and barracks of Cavalry division of the imperial army in the Caucasus were deployed. Though Armenian and Russian officers called living sites as "headquarters", in 1847 at maps of Tsarist Russia under the name of Khankendi the district was official included. After the occupation of the city of Khankendi by Tsarist Russia as a rule the Armenians from Iran were settled in growing Khankendi, and due to their loyalty to Empire they were employed at state institutions and military units. In 1900 more than 3 thousand people lived in Khankendi, eventwo class school was functioning, too. As a result of the purposefully conducted ethnic policy at the beginning of the last century the Armenian and Russian population was increased in Khankendi. However, a large number of representatives of khan kin, Azerbaijani intellectuals, musicians and artists lived in the city. In spite of purposeful policy of isolation they were in capacity to dictate their will and the power had been forced to consider their will. 

                During 1918-1920 at result of the policy of the government of the independent Azerbaijan Democratic Republic and the determination of the Azerbaijani army the claims of Armenian nationalists for Nagorno-Karabakh and Khankendi could be overcome.

                According to the results of population census organized after the occupation of Azerbaijan by the Soviet Empire, already in September 1988 Armenians forced Azerbaijanis living in the city to leave Khankendi. In December 26, 1991, Khankendi was completely occupied and presently is controlled by Armenia. It should be noted that the current President of the Republic of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan, former President Robert Kocharian and nationalist inciter of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict writer Zori Balayan were citizens of Azerbaijan and residents of Khankendi.

 

 

 

Khojaly

 

 

 

                Khojaly is in the Khojaly town of Azerbaijan. The population is 24,417 people. In this city with the territory rich with ancient architectural and first cultural monuments there are the mausoleum (XIV century), the circular tomb (1356-1357-years), necropolis, around the end of the Bronze Age and early Iron Age, burial mounds, etc. In cemetery of Khojaly the archaeological monuments, and mounds of stone boxes, pottery vessels of different types, weapons (sword, dagger, spear and arrow head, ax), gold , bronze, cockle-shell, agate, made of glass, jewelry, and bronze tools were found belonging to the Bronze Age and early Iron Age (eəVIII-VII centuries).

Between the city Khojaly and Askeran settlement, at right and left banks of Qarqarchay the Askeran fortress of XVIII century is located. The castle contained of two fortresses was built by Karabakh Khan Panahali khan. 1 medical institution, 54 cultural centers were operated in Khojaly region. 

                Khojaly region established on the basis of Askeran region on November 26, 1991. Territory of the region was occupied by Armenian armed forces during 1991-1992. In February 26, 1992, in the town of Khojaly Armenians committed genocide of the century.

Currently the city is under Armenian occupation.

 

 

 

Khojavand

 

 

 

                Khojavand city is the center of the Khojavand region of Azerbaijan. The population of the city Khojavand is 40,500 people. 

Amaras monastery built in the village of Sos at the beginning of the IV century of our era is one of the most interesting buildings in this district. The monastery for centuries was cathedral church of the Caucasian Albania. Monastery school was opened in the V century. There are "Rtis" Castle located in the village of Tug , belonging to I-VIII centuries, "ERGUNESH" tower, "Albanian" temple (in 1241) in the village of Boyuk Taghlar, "Red" temple (X century) in the Tug village in the territory of the region. All these monuments were destroyed as a result of Armenian occupation (October 2, 1992). 

Khojavend region is currently under Armenian occupation.

 

 

 

Shusha

 

 

 

                Shusha is the fortress city in Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan. This city is the center of the Shusha region of Azerbaijan. The population is 19,300 (2008).

The city existed in ancient times was destroyed in XIII century by the Mongols. At the beginning of the 50-es of XVIII century, the city of Shusha was refurbished and newly built near the village of Shusha by the Karabakh khan Panahali khan. The first times city was called besides Shusha as Panahabad, too, in honor of the name of khan. Many monuments were built during the years of his reign. During the rule of Ibrahilkhalil khan, the city grew, and dams and defense towers were built here. During the rule of the Russian colonial administration Shusha had been developed as administrative and economic center of the Karabakh region. For centuries, this city was one of the major political and cultural centers of Azerbaijan.

                Jidir plain is especially famous located at the edge of the city near the deep valley Dashalti. 

The science and education fields are widely spread in Shusha. The provincial school was built here in 1830, seminary in 1838, and primary schools in 1876, and in 1880 six class provincial school and in 1886 the Turkish-Russian school. The city is the motherland of a number of well-known Azerbaijani singers, musicians, composers and conductors like Jabbar Garyagdioglu, Qurban Pirimov, Bul-Bul, Seid Shushinski, Khan Shushinski, Rashid Behbudov, U. Hajibeyov, Niyazi, Fikret Amirov, Suleyman Alasgarov, all of them are Shusha origin.

                After being occupied by Armenians on May 8, 1992 Shusha was destroyed and turned to ruins. There are, 170 and 160 only officially registered monuments of art in Shusha. During the occupation of Shusha 200 people killed, 150 people became disabled and 552 children orphaned, 22 thousand people became refugees. 200 historical monuments, 2 sanatorium, home museums of well-known artists, 70 bed tourist center, 1,200 bed boarding, etc. were destroyed.

                Currently is under Armenian occupation.