Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Unknown Azerbaijan...Turkmenchay treaty...10 February 1828...

Turkmenchay treaty has been signed as a result of 2nd Russia-Iran war between Russia and Iran in Turkmenchay village on 10 February 1828. Signing ceremony was attended by famous Russian writer A.S.Griboyedov and Azerbaijan's progressive figure A.A.Bakikhanov, who was interpreting at the signing ceremony. Initial treaty on dividing Azerbaijan between Russia and Iran was signed in 1813 and is called Gulustan treaty. (info taken from Wikipedia in Azeri)

As it is more or less obvious by now this was the only way to exist for small and rich Azerbaijan...its territory was divided into khanlıqs (territories ruled by Khans) and each khan preferred to be on its own, pseudo-independent, rather than unite with any other local khan...neighbours were big and strong...and Azerbaijan with Caspian Sea shore, no general goal and strategy, rich natural resources...no army.

Currently in ex Soviet Republic, Azerbaijan, reside around 8 million 700 people...I am not sure about number of Azerbaijanis in Iran, some data say around 20 million.
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2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I am learning so much history by my virtual visits to other countries. I didn't realize so many Azerbaijanis were in Iran. Do they have any interest in being repatriated? Do they still speak Azeri? Do they have the right to travel freely across the border between Iran and Azerbaijan. How many Azerbaijanis are in Russia now?

I am very interested but understand if you don't have time to give me a history lesson!

Jan
Greensboro Daily Photo

Ayten Qiyas-Rustamova Айтен Гияс-Рустамова Aytən Qiyas-Rüstəmova said...

Hi Jan :) Thank you for visiting my blog and asking questions! :)

Comparing to Soviet times now it is very easy to travel back and forth, so families got reconnected after Soviet Union collapse...They do speak Azeri. I am not sure how many Azeris are in Russia but some statistics say only in Moscow there are around 2 million.

Best wishes,

Ayten