Quba Khanate

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Quba Khanate was an independent principality on the territory of modern day Azerbaijan between 1747 and 1806. Quba khanate was founded as a feudal hold around 1680 as a result of a land grant to Saytaq (Kaytaq) family. Saytaq family was related to both Qajars and Utsmi (Duke) of Tarqi in Dagestan, and was thus, highly respected among other khanates of Azerbaijan. The principality achieved independence after dissolution of Iranian state in 1747 and achieved its greatest prominence under Fath Ali Khan (1758-1789).

Quba khanate became the strongest of all the Northern Azerbaijani khanates. As a result of conquests or successful alliances, Fath Ali Khan took hold of the important port of Baku, Shamakha khanate, Salyan khanate, and organized expeditions as far south as Ardabil in his fight against the Zand dynasty. Quba khanate relied heavy upon Russian arms in all their campaigns. Providing assistance in expeditions against Dagestan, in revenge for the killing of a Russian scientist Samuel Gottlieb Gmelin in 1775, however soon resulted in Russian help being withdrawn, leading to a series of defeats.

After Fath Ali Khan's death, the khanate's influence declined. As a result of Agha Khan Qajar's conquests and the devastation its brought, the Alliance of Northern khanates disintegrated. The khanate was conquered by Russia in 1806, and was fully incorporated into newly created Shamakha province by 1816.