commented by  (2013-11-11 12:21:58+00:00):  The music written and sung by Master Khan Shushinsky makes a deep impression on everybody. The reason is black clouds over Shusha, founded by Panaheli Khan Javanshir. Shusha was occupied by Armenian invaders on May 8, 1992.

Tens of historical monuments were seized in Shusha, which considered the residence of music as: The palace of Panaheli Khan, The Juma Mosque, Lower  Govhar Aga mosque, the house of Khurshudbanu Natavan, the tomb of Molla Penah Vagif. Even the monuments of personalities as U.Hajibeyov, Bulbul, Natavan were shot by the enemies.

 But everybody believes that, in the near future the black clouds over Shusha will be disappeared, Shusha will liberate and refuges will return to their motherland. So, “Garabagh shikestesi” will be sounded in Shusha  again…

Shusha is the most picturesque of Garabagh. Every visitor was amazed by the beauty of this city, which was victim of many historical events. Shusha was not only place as paradise, but also a military strategic castle.

Shusha is situated 1400-1500 metres above sea –level. There are a lot of mineral springs and deposits of building materials. Amazing building of Shusha was founded by Panaheli Khan. He was announced as a Khan after death of Nadir Shah in 1747 and the he decided immediately to build strong castle with the purpose to defend Garabagh from the enemy attack. New castle was founded in a high plateau surrounded by mountains from three sides in 1750. Panaheli khan had new buildings and his own palace built inside of fence. Local population called the new city “Panahabad” in the honor of Panah Shah. For the first time Panahabad recalled “Shishe” then “Shusha”.

After the death of Panaheli Khan crafty and skilful statesman Ibrahim Khalil Khan became the Khan of Garabagh. During his authority Garabagh improved and developed. Panaheli Khan and Ibrahim Khalil Khan restored Shusha in high level on the basis of ancient and Middle Ages city building examples. The city was divided to 17 districts. They still exist at the moment. Generally, the formation of Shusha as a city was in 3 stages:

The first stage continued until 1763 irregularly. In this period there were built 9 districts in the east part of the city by name “Chuxur”. But the quality of construction was grater in the second stage during the authority of Ibrahim Khalil Khan. In this period the number of districts became 17. In the third stage there were built 12 districts in the highland part of the city and the formation of Shusha was over.

The west part of Shusha was situated 1800 metres above sea-level, but the east part was 1400 metres.  South of the city was relatively high and horizontal flat. This place was called “Cidir duzu”. The area of Shusha was 350 Ha. There was only one motor transport in Shusha. This transport leads to the centre of the city. The mountain which was situated in the east of the city was called “Dotalab”. Aga Mehemmed Shah Gacar attacked to Garabagh in 1795 after seizing power in İran. Although Shusha was in encirclement for 33 days, he couldn’t make progress and plundered Tiflis.

In 1797 Aga Mehemmed Shah Gacar attacked to Shusha for the second time. Shusha surrendered during short encirclement because of noblemen’s betrayal.

Authority of Aga Mehemmed Shah Gacar continued just one day. Gacar was assassinated by his employee. Ibrahim Khalil khan came back to Shusha and sent the corpse of Gacar to Iran grandiloquently with the purpose of getting well with Iran.

Ibrahim Khalil Khan`s daughter married with Fatali Khan. Shusha kept its position as a capital during Russian occupation. But it was useful for Russia and they found great solution for making weaker Garabagh. They began to remove homeless and beggar Armenians. On May 4, 1805 the contract of Kurakchay was signed. Then there were signed the contracts of Gulustan on October 12, 1813 and the contract of Turkmenchay on February 10, 1828.

These contracts helped to continue the sharing of Azerbaijan lands between Iran and Russia. 18 thousands Armenian families were removed from Iran to Azerbaijan, at the same time to Garabagh during the second Russia-Iran war. According to “Turkmenchay” during 2 years (1828-1830) more than 40000 Armenians from Iran and 84000 Armenians from Turkey were removed to South Caucasus. They were placed in the best part of Irevan and Ganja province.

In 1832 the 91 % of the population was Azerbaijanians and 8, 4 % was Armenians. As the result of removing, the number of Azerbaijanians became 64, 8 % and the number of Armenians increase until 34, 8 %.

In 1900-1915 amount of the population of Shusha increased from 25, 6 thousand to 43, 8 thousand and Shusha became the centre of carpet production.

At the end of XIX centure Armenian organization began trying on achieving the lands of Azerbaijan-Garabagh, Nachcivan and Zengezur for creating “Great Armenia”. In this direction the first target was to occupy Zengezur and Garabagh.

In 1918 there was created present Armenia Republic in the territory of West Azerbaijan. After this “present” of Azerbaijani leadership Armenian leadership pretended to territory of Garabagh officially.

In the XX century Shusha was encroached by Armenians for 3 times. In 1905-1907 Shusha was attacked and burned by Armenians. In 1920 the most part of the city was destroyed by Armenians. For the third time Armenians occupied the city completely.