HISTORY

Shamakhi, located in the Eastern region of Historic Armenia, is currently occupied by Azerbaijan.

The city of Shamakhi goes back to the Fifth Century. The city's heyday was between the 9th and the 16th centuries as the capital of the Shirvani Region, a vast area between current Iran, Armenia, and Azerbaijan. Shirvani (or Sharavan) was in existence from the times of the Sassanids (226-651). From 654 Shirvani was occupied by Arabs. Beginning the 15th century Shirvani was known as an agricultural region and was a center of silk production. Shirvani was an important international trader of oil, cotton, and other export products. It had also business contacts with Russia. In 1748 Shirvani became independent, and later, in 1805, was united with Russia. Currently Shirvani is located at the border of Armeina and Azerbaijan. The famous Armenian novelists Aleksandr Shirvanzade and Kostan Zaryan, and the actor Hovhannes Abelyan were born in Shamakhi, the capital city of Shirvani.