A Truthful History

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COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF COUNT VALERIAN ZUBOV'S CAUCASIAN CAMPAIGN AND THE OCCUPATION OF ITS REGIONS

After the calamity of Tiflis and Aqa Muhammad Khan's return toIran, Herakl Vali of Georgia sent a detailed report about the events to H. M. Ekaterina, the empress of Russia. She appointed (97a) General Count Valerian Zubov, knownas Qizil-ayagh, with 40000 brave warriors to defend Vali from his enemies and savehis people from the evil deeds of Aqa Muhammad Khan.

The general arrived at Derbend through the territory of Daghestan in1796/1211. He made the field of Bab-al-Abvab his station and occupied the regions on thisside of the Caucasus. He overcame his foolish enemies and spent the winter of that year inSalian and Chehel, near to the confluence of the Arax and Kur. He also occupied thekhans' seat, located in the middle of Kur and Arax rivers. At the same time he sent adetailed message to Aqa Muhammad Khan saying, "You came and captured a great numberof prisoners, I have the task to set them free. Either you must send them back or be readyto war".

Aqa Muhammad Khan felt himself unable to fight against him and dodged.

At the meantime Ibrahim Khan of Karabagh sent his son Abul Fath Khanwith presents and thorough-bred horses to the great general to assure him of hisobedience, loyalty and devotion to the powerful Russian State. Also he sent a benevolentletter to the palace of Her Majesty, the Empress Ekaterina.

In his return the noble general treated Abul Fath Khan with respect andcourtesy, honoring him with innumerable compliments. He ordered to send IbrahimKhan's application to the court of H. M. Empress through Derbend and Qizliar. Heforwarded precious gifts to Ibrahim Khan with Prince [Abul Fath] with endless reassuranceof royal kindness and sent his retainer Molla Panah a precious stick decorated withjaspers and pearls.

The other khans hearing of the events and Ibrahim Khan'ssubmission to the powerful Russian State, sent messages and applications to theoutstanding nobleman and also rendered obedience. Those were Mir Mustoufi Khan of Talish, Mustoufi Khan of Shirvan, Javad Khan of Ganje, the khans of Erevan, Nakhichevan, andKaradagh.

At that time the Empress H. M. Ekaterina, by God's will died thatresulted in the great general Zubov's withdrawal of forces.