Investigation of lodgment and relations of Gharabagh khanate against the policies of Ottoman government

After the assassination of Nadir Shah Afshar, each of his commanders and local leaders planned to form a government in different areas. At this time, favorable conditions were prepared for the establishment of khanates with local authority. At this time in Azerbaijan and in Caucasus region, a number of khanates and sultanates were established. Gharabagh khanate was one the most important ones that always been faced with a variety of internal and external threats from the beginning of its establishment. This khanate implemented various policies and programs to eliminate these dangers on domestic and foreign dimensions. In this period, the most important foreign presence in the region was the presence of Russia and Ottoman Empire. The purpose of this study is to identify the factors that were dominant in the lodgment and relations of Gharabagh khanate with Ottomans based on historical documents and reports. The results of this study show that the Ottomans, after the loss of Crimean Khanate and after joinder of Georgia to Russia according to Giyorgiyosk Treaty of 1193 AH / 1784 AD (between Ariquel II and Catherine), tried to initiate a military battle with khans of Azerbaijan and Dagestan to prevent the development of Russians. Gharabagh region was geographically considered as gateway of Iran and the Caucasus, therefore, the Ottoman politicians recognized Gharabagh khanate suitable for their political purposes and sought to establish relations with Gharabagh khanate. Khans of Gharabagh also intended to preserve their local sovereignty and to neutralize the threats of internal and external enemies at all costs, and this was always the most important principle in the lodgment of Gharabagh khans. Accordingly, the principle of "common threat" led to the close proximity of Gharabagh khans and Ottoman Empire.