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Talysh khanate was an independent principality that existed on the territory of modern Azerbaijan Republic between 1747 and 1813. It broke away from Iran after Nadir Shah’s death on May 9, 1747.
The founder of the Talish dynasty was certain Seyid Abbas. His ancestors belonged to the minor members of Safavid nobility, who had moved to Talish during the turmoil in Iran during 1720's.
Seyyid Abbas died in 1747 and was succeeded by his son Jamaladdin (Qara Khan). Qara khan was pro-Russian in his foreign policy. This obviously upset the rulers of neighboring Iran, especially Hidayat khan of Gilan. In 1768 Hidayat khan attacked Talish khanate. In order to get aid against the superior enemy, Qara khan send his brother Karbalayi Sultan to Fath Ali Khan of Quba Khanate and the alliance between Quba and Lenkaran was formed. By 1785 the territory of Talish khanate formally became a dependency of much stronger Quba Khanate together with some other khanates of Azerbaijan. After Fath Ali khan’s departure in 1789, the khanate regained its independence. Mir Mustafa the son of Qara Khan became the ruler of the principality in 1786.
In 1794 Agha Muhammad Qajar mounted an expedition into northern Azerbaijan. In 1795 before the assault he called upon the straggling Azeri khanates to form an alliance against Russia. After Talysh khanate refused to do so it was first to be attacked. Mir Mustafa Khan’s disparate army was not strong enough to resist and he send his representatives to General Gudovich asking for Russian protection. However, Russians were not forthcoming; Talish khanate was taken under the protectorate of Russian Empire only in 1802.
In 1809 as a part of Russo-Persian War (1804-1813) Iranian troops took the city of Lenkaran and expelled the Russian-leaning khan. After a brief siege led by Pyotr Kotlyarevsky on January 1, 1813 2,000 Russian troops retook the citadel of Lenkaran from Persian army, with heavy losses to both sides. However, the capture of Lankaran was a strategic victory for Russian side and on September 12, 1813, defeated Iran was forced to cede the formerly independent khanates according to the Treaty of Gulistan and revoke all claims to the area.
In 1814 Mir Mustafa khan died and his son Mir Hasan Khan succeeded him. After Mir Hasan khan’s death in 1826, the Russian empire abolished the Khanate, establishing direct rule.