lows the course of the rivers Taran-Kobu, Abjit, Mazim-Tchai as far as the summit of
mount Tinov-Rosso (11.104 feet).
Again it turns eastward (frontier of North Caucasian Republic) and extends
from the main ridge of the Caucasus to the summit of Mount Gouton (12.005 feet).
Then it descends from the main ridge towards the North-East following the secondary
mountains which form the water divide above to the rivers Avar-Koysu Kara-Koysu,
Kasikumukh-Koysu on one side and Samour, Tchirak-Tchay and Ooloo-Tshay on the
other, passes over the mountain pass Kalanker-Katz (11.488 feet), mount
Khashkharva (13.083 feet), pass Lakazani (11.961 feet), the ridge Dolti-dagto mounts
Viralgu (12.611 feet), Noussa-dag (12.270 feet), Alakhoun-dag (12.629 feet).
Finally it goes northward crosses the river Oolou-Tshay, within 2 km. from
the village of Itsari and following the water divide of the above mentioned rivers as
far as the summit 2.108, it turns eastward and reaches the Caspian sea, 20 km, to the
south of Bouinakh station of the Baku-Petrovsk railway line.
II. EASTERN FRONTIER
Beginning 20 km. south from Bouinakh station the frontier is formed by the
Caspian sea and extends as far as the town of Astara (Caucasus) near the old Russia-
Iran frontier.
III. SOUTHERN FRONTIER
From Astara, this frontier confines with Persia as far as the point of
intersection of the old frontiers of Russia, Iran, and Turkey; afterwards it follows the
former Russia-Turkey frontier as far as cape Kop-Mour on the Black Sea.
IV. WESTERN FRONTIER
From cape Kop-Mour as far as the mouth of the Tcholokh the western
frontier of Azerbaijan follows the shore of the Black Sea.
V. THE FRONTIER OF CAUCASIAN ARMENIA
The frontier between Azerbaijan and Armenia commences from the summit
of mount Aglagan (9.833 feet) towards the West, crosses the high road Alexandropol-
Alkhalkalak, 18 km. south from the station of Kizil-Kotch (village of Ghulli-Boulag)
and goes towars the river Arpa-Tshay opposite the village of Dag-Korpu.
Then it goes southward along the Arpa-Fihui as far as the village of Ghiasso-
Kourdassi, situated 2 kilometers northwest from the small station of Karakouli,
afterwards it goes eastwards up to the summit of Mount Kara-Keinach (9.917 feet).
From here it goes along the affluent of the river Aparan towards the south-
east as far as the village of Zcina, 5 kilometers from the Tiflis-Erivan railway line;
afterwards it takes an eastward direction, following a parrallel line to the railway line
as far as the village of Agbach, 7 kilometers north of that line.
Following the river Garni-Tshay it ascends towards the north-east the
mounts Ag-dag (10.906 feet), Kara-Kaya (11.178 feet), Guzal-Dara, takes a western
direction and reaches the village of Zagalu on the eastern shore of Lake Goktcha.
The frontier of Caucasian Armenia crosses the lake in a straight line to the
village of Semeonovka and, following the former administrative division of the
counties (goubernia) of Elizabethpol and Erivan, on the summit of Mount Beche-
Kekchmaze (common point of intersection of the limits of the counties of
Elizabethpol, Erivan and Tiflis) it turns northward following the line of administrative
divisions of the counties ot Elisabethpol and Tiflis up to the summit of mount Chimal
(2.465 feet).
Finally that frontier descends towards the south-west passing successively on
the mountains Shakh-Alham, Shakh-Takhte, Lialvar, Ledjan and reaches the summit
of Mount Aglagan which is the frontier between the two states : Azerbaijan and
Armenia.
THE REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN IN THE CAUCASUS
I
ORIGIN OF AZERBAIJAN. - THE INDEPENDENT KHANATES AND
THEIR DECLINE
Origin the south-eastern region of the Caucasus, or properly speaking,
Transcaucasia, as far as the shore of the Caspian sea, has been since immemorial
times peopled by tribes partly Turkish, partly Tartar. These tribes, as well as the
Iranian elements, were, in the course of time, mixed with the Turks, a people more
numerous, stronger and more energetic. Owing to this intermixture, the natives of this
part of the Caucasus were called Turks of Azerbaijan, or merely Azerbaijanians, from
the name of the country in which they lived.
Situated on the highroad of the migrations of the Barbarians, who used to
pass there during their invasions, Azerbaijan comprised a very large territory
extending from the Caucasian Mountains to the Caspian sea and beyond the lake of
Urmia. The centre, which gave its name to the country, was the part adjoining the
Caspian sea, now called Region of Baku, together with the city of this name and its
famous naphtha-springs. Because of the abundance of gases hidden in its bosom, this
region was known of old as the “Country of everlasting fires “, or “Fire-Mines”, and
thence comes its name Azerbaijan or Az-eristan, from the ancient Persian word :
Azerpatigan. Though dating from a prehistoric period, this name is justified not only
by history fires, but by the power of these which in the region of Baku, explain better
than any written records the origin of Azerbaijan. It has persisted, like the fires
themselves, in spite of all the chances of fortune, political and social upheavals and
economic changes. Its fields have seen many a famous conqueror, from Alexander the
Great of Macedonia to Tamerlane, - Arabs, Persians, Osmanli-Turks and others.
These intrusions necessarily produced profound changes in the territorial and ethnical
composition of Azerbaijan. One part of the country was annexed by military force to
Persia, while the other remained within the geographical limits of the Caucasus, - a
circumstance which greatly influenced the destiny of its population.
Independent Khanates
This region retained for a long time its complete political independence. In
the XVIII century the country consisted of independent Khanates. Some of these,
through force of circumstances, were compelled to acknowledge the authority of the
Persian Shahs, then all-powerful; which did not, however, prevent the khans from
often being involved in war with this very Persia, as well as with Turkey, Georgia,
and finally with Russia. Most of these wars were of a defensive character and were as
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