Shamkir Fortress

Shamkir Fortress — a historic fortress in Azerbaijan's Shamkir district.

History

It is thought that Shamkir, known from the 5th century, was a Khazar city before the Arabs arrived. During the Arab period, Khazars were placed in this city in 737. These Khazars were captured during the Arabs' campaign against Volga. In 757 the Sabirs destroyed the city of Shamkir. In 854 the foundation of Shamkir was reestablished by Buğa al‑Kabir (Great Buğa), the Turkish ally of the Abbasid Caliphate, and Khazars were settled there.

According to "Kartlis tsxovreba" ("Georgian chronicles"), Buğa al‑Kabir was a member of the Khazar tribe, while in "Kitab al‑awraq" a general "Turk" name was used for Buğa. Buğa's positive attitude toward his Khazar compatriots became evident after his conquest of the Khazar Khaganate territory in 851. Three hundred Muslim Khazar families left the Khazar Khaganate and Buğa al‑Kabir helped them settle in Azerbaijan. Information about this settlement event is recorded both in the work "Kitab al‑buldan" and in "Kartlis tsxovreba" ("Georgian chronicles"). Buğa al‑Kabir built a city called "Shamkur" (Samkur) for the 300 Khazar families, located along the Kura River. However, Buğa's actions displeased the Abbasid leadership and he was removed from the governorship of Armenia and historic Azerbaijan.