Treaty Between The Khan Of Karabakh And Russıan Empıre On Transfer Of Power Over The Khanate To Russıa Of May 14th 1805

Treaty Between The Khan Of Karabakh And Russıan Empıre On Transfer Of Power Over The Khanate To Russıa Of May 14th 1805

For some time past in connection with the fact the Armenian nationalists put forward a false and forced problem for ‘self determination of the Karabakh Armenians’ and carry out of the open armed aggression against the peaceable Azerbaijan population living on their primordial ancient land - Karabakh the unsubstantiated statements of the Armenian geopoliticians and their hirelings became widespread that Karabakh belongs to Armenia. However, the historical facts represent the incontrovertible evidence of the country.

Such document materials as Gulistan (October 12, 1813) and Turkmenchai (February 10, 1828) treaties signed between Russian and Iran as well as the treaty on May 14, 1805 signed between the Karabakh khan Ibrahim and the Russian empire on transfer of this khanate under Russian’s dominion demonstrate vividly that the empire was winning exclusively the Azerbaijan lands where the Armenians from Turkey and Iran resettled later on. None of these documents contains any mentioning of the Armenians or Armenian estates in Karabakh as if passing under Russia’s power.

Taking into account the actuality and factual value of the treaty in 1805 for clear confirmation of the inalienable rights for their primordial lands we publish its original which is kept in the Central State Historical Archives of the Azerbaijan Republic (fund 130, list 1, case 4, pp.245-248), its copy published in ‘The acts of the Caucasian archaeographic commission’, Tiflis, 1868, v.2 (p.705) and its text in English.

We think that the publication of this document will be proper answer to the Armenian falsifiers of history and their paid advocates. DRAFT OF TREATY IN THE NAME OF GOD (ALLAH) ALMIGHTY

We, i..e, Ibrahim Khan Shushinsky (of the city of Shusha) and Karabakhsky (of the khanate of Karabakh) and General of infantry of All Russia’s troops Caucausian inspection on infantry and others Prince (knyaz) Pavel Tsitsianov with the full power given to me by his Emperor’s Highness the dearest and greatest Sir Emperor Alexander Pavlovich took up with the help of God the matter of granting everlasting citizenship All Russian Empire to Ibrahim khan Shushinsky and Karabakhsky with all family, posterity and possessions of his. The Treaty was concluded, confirmed and signed with the following articles. Article 1

I, Ibrahim Khan Shushinsky on my behalf, on behalf of my heirs, successor abdicate any vassalage and whichever title it might be any dependence from Persia or any other state and in this way I declare the fact to the whole world that I don’t consider myself and the successors of mine of having any power. The only power we recognize is the Supreme Power of His Emperor’s Highness All Russia’s great Emperor and his greatest heirs and successors of All Russia’s Emperor Throne. I promise to keep faithfulness to the throne like faithful slave and to which I have to swear on Koran in accordance with the custom. Article 2

His Emperor’s Highness on behalf of his openhearted promise be gives his word of honour and reassures with His Emperor’s word of honour for himself and for his successors that favour and care towards Ibrahim Khan Shushinsky and Karabahksky and will never cease to exist.
To prove this fact His Emperor’s Highness gives the guarantee to keep the whole possessions and successors intact. Article 3

To repay the openheartedness of Ibrahim Khan Shushinsky and Karabakhsky to recognize the supreme abd sole power of All Russia’s Emperor over himself and his successors this article states that he, the Khan and later his elder son and each elder successor when accepting the khanate has to receive Emperor’s confirmation of the khanate from the Governor of Georgia.
It consist of the deed (official document), official state seal. While receiving it the new Khan is to take the oath to be faithful to Russian Empire and to recognize the supreme and sole power of Russian Emperor over himself and his successors. The form of the oath is enclosed in this Treaty. The present Ibrahim Khan Sushinsky and Karabakhinsky took the oath in presence of Governor of Georgia and general of infantry prince Tsitsianov. Article 4

I, i.e. Ibrahim Khan Sushinsky and Karabakhinsky to prove that my intentions towards my and my successors’ faithfulness to All Russia’s Empire and recognition of the Supreme and sole power of the highest possessors of the Empire promise not to have any relations with neighbouring possessors without preliminary consent of letters are sent I promise to send the most important ones to the Governor of Georgia. And when the envoys from them come or the letters are sent I promise to send to most important ones to the Governor and demand the solving of the questions from him and the ones with less importance to be reported and discussed with the person representing the Governor at my place. Article 5

His Emperor’s Highness accepts the recognition of his supreme and power over the possessions of Ibrahim Khan Sushinsky and Karabakhinsky with good will and promises:
1) to treat the peoples of these possessions with the same honour as his own faithful citizens without sorting them out from those inhabiting the vast Russian Empire.
2) To preserve continuously the honour of Ibrahim Khan, his house, heirs and posterity in the area of Shusha Khanate.
3) To give all the power of internal governing, court and persecution, income and its possession to Ibrahim Khan.
4) In order to guard Ibrahim Khan, his house and his possessions I promise to send troops (500 persons) with cannons, headquaters and officers and in case of greater defence the Governor of Georgia will have to increase the number of troops due to circumstances to defend militarily the possessions of All Russia’s Empire. Article 6

I, i.e. Ibrahim Khan Sushinsky and Karabakhinsky in response my faithful diligence make commitment:
1) At the beginning and later on the store up the necessary quantity of wheat and corn by resonable price determined by the Chief Governor because its supply from Elizavetpol is rather difficult or even must be stated as impossible.
2) The above mentioned troops should be provided with houses to stay in Shusha Fortress. They should be selected by the will of the Commander. They should be supplied with reasonable quantity of firewoods.
3) To make the Elizavetpol bound entrance into Shusha fortress comfortable and to build the road for arba passing.
4) It would be convenient for the government to build up a road from Shusha Fortress in the direction of Djavad. The workmen must be paid the salary determined by the government. Article 7

His Emperor Highness showing his goodwill and kindness to his majesty Ibrahim Khan kindly presents his banner with the state Emblem of Russian Empire which is to be kept with him a symbol of khanate and power. Nobody except the khan has the right to carry it to war as it was presented by his Emperor’s Highness. Article 8

I, i.e. Ibrahim Khan Sushinsky and Karabakhinsky having His Emperor’s Highness permission to spend my usual income make the commitment to pay contribution into to exchequer treasury of His Emperor’s Highness in Tifliss 8.000 checronets (gold piece coin) a year, to pay it in two halves. 1st half on February 1st and the second half on September 1st beginning with the 1st payment of 4.000 chevronets. Confirming the concluding this treaty by this Emperor’s Highness and according to Asian tradition, besides the oath to faithfulness I pawn my elder son’s Mamed-Hasan-Aga’s son of the second Shukurullah to stay forever in Tifliss. Article 9

His Emperor’s Highness kindly expressing his mercy as a taken of faithfulness guarantees his Majesty khan’s grandson 10 roubles of Russian money a day. Article 10

This Treaty is concluded forever and is not to be subject to any changes from now to forever. Article 11

This confirmation of this Treaty by His Emperor’s Highness with the state sealed deed (official document) must be presented within 6 months after its singing or sooner if possible.

In confirmation of that the understanding parties signed these articles in the camp of Elizavetpol region near r.Kura in summer of 1805 A.D.(Muhammeddan 1220) on May 14th. Acts collected by Caucasus Archeological Commission. Vol 2 p.705 Tifliss 1868