Baku Khans' Palace ( az, Bakı xanları sarayı) is a complex of several houses that belonged to the members of the ruling family of the

Baku Khanate Baku Khanate ( fa, خانات باکو, Khānāt-e Baku), was an autonomous Muslim khanate under Iranian suzerainty, which existed between 1747 and 1806. Originally a province of Safavid empire, it became practically independent after the ass ...

Overview

The palace is located in the territory left of the Shamakhy gate. During the

khanates A khaganate or khanate was a polity ruled by a khan, khagan, khatun, or khanum. That political territory was typically found on the Eurasian Steppe and could be equivalent in status to tribal chiefdom, principality, kingdom or empire. Mongol ...

period of Azerbaijan, which occurred after the collapse of the

Shirvanshah ''Shirvanshah'' ( fa, شروانشاه), also spelled as ''Shīrwān Shāh'' or ''Sharwān Shāh'', was the title of the rulers of Shirvan from the mid-9th century to the early 16th century. The title remained in a single family, the Yazidids, a ...

state in the 17th century, Baku khans lived in this palace. No official information exists about the exact foundation date, however, it is estimated to be built around 1750 by the first Khan of Baku, Mirza Muhammad Khan I. The underground bathhouse is considered to be an older structure, being built around the 17th century. Upon occupation of Baku by the

Russian Empire The Russian Empire was an empire and the final period of the Russian monarchy from 1721 to 1917, ruling across large parts of Eurasia. It succeeded the Tsardom of Russia following the Treaty of Nystad, which ended the Great Northern War. ...

in 1806, a military garrison was positioned in the palace. The palace used to have a garden with pool and flowers that has now been reconstructed. Prior to the reconstruction, only the entrance portal and a small restored mosque had survived while the underground bathhouse in the lower part of the fortress walls in the territory of the Khans' palace still remained unearthed. The latest excavations were in 1985, 1986, and 2018. Besides a lot of cultural samples, a water supply system and underground architectural constructions also were discovered here. Presently, the Palace complex consists of the house of the last Baku khan –

Huseyngulu Khan Huseyngulu Khan was the fifth and last khan of Baku. Life Huseyngulu Khan was born in 1774 to Aligulu agha (brother of Malik Muhammad and Muhammadquli Khan). After the death of the khan in 1792, begs headed by Qasim beg Selimkhanov (according ...

as well as his family members, Abdurrahim bey and Mehdigulu bey.

Nowadays

Prior to 2018, the palace complex was in ruins and parts of it still remained unearthed. The Official Administration of State Historical-Architectural Reserve "Icherisheher" informed media that they had no whatsoever intentions to repair the palace. However, they changed their position and issued a tender for the reconstruction of the historic palace complex in 2018. One of the main reasons for this decision is that the palace complex is seen as one of the most significant and valuable pieces of the architectural legacy of the

. Reconstruction work of the Baku Khans’ Palace-Museum began in March 2018. Khan's Garden surrounding the complex is also scheduled to be built and will become the largest garden park in Icherisheher. The archaeological excavations and restoration occurred from 2018 to 2019, and included clearing the earth from the complex as well as strengthening the dome and foundations using the original material. On June 29, 2020, Azerbaijani president

Ilham Aliyev Ilham Heydar oghlu Aliyev ( az, İlham Heydər oğlu Əliyev, ; born 24 December 1961) is the fourth president of Azerbaijan, serving in the post since 31 October 2003. The son and second child of the former Azerbaijani leader Heydar Aliyev, ...

participated in the opening of the palace complex and 17th century underground bathhouse. As of August 2020, the palace has been fully reconstructed and the new Baku Khans’ palace-museum is now open to visitors.

Residents

The following khans lived in the palace of Baku khans: *1747-1765 - Mirza Muhammad Khan I (son of Dergahqulu khan) *1765-1784 -

Malik Muhammad Khan Malik Muhammad khan was second khan of Baku and a son of Mirza Muhammad Khan. Reign He was a firstborn son of Mirza Muhammad and daughter of Husein khan Rudbar. He was later a son-in-law of Fatali khan. He was already ruling in his father' ...

(son of Mirza Muhammad Khan I) *1784-1791 -

Mirza Muhammad Khan II Mirza Muhammad Khan II (1770–1836) – was third Khan of Baku. Early life Mirza Muhammad Khan II was born in 1770 to Malik Muhammad Khan and Khadija Bika, sister of Fatali Khan of Quba. He was named after his grandfather, Mirza Muhammad ...

(son of Malik Muhammad Khan) *1791-1792 - Muhammadquli Khan (son of Mirza Muhammad Khan I) *1792-1806 -

(son of Haji Aligulu Agha Khan).

Gallery

File:Bakı xan sarayına Bazar meydanı tərəfdən giriş qapısından aşağı bağa açılan görünüş.jpg File:Bakı xan sarayına daxil olan binalardan birinin Bazar meydanına baxan fasadı.jpg File:Bakı xanlarının evi, Böyük Qala küçəsi, 44 A daxili həyətə baxan eksteryeri.jpg File:Bakı xanlarının evi, Böyük Qala küçəsi, 46 bərpa işlərindən sonra.jpg File:Bakı xanlarının evi, Böyük Qala küçəsi, 48 bərpa işlərindən sonra.jpg File:Bakı xanlarının evi, Böyük Qala küçəsi, 50 bərpa işlərindən sonra.jpg File:Bakı xanlarının evi, Böyük Qala küçəsi, 44 B daxili həyətə baxan eksteryeri.jpg File:Yeraltı Hamam (1).jpg, Restored Underground Bathhouse File:Description on the entranse of Baku Khan's Palace in Ichery Sheher.jpg, Inscription on entrance portal

References

External links

{{commons category, Palace of Baku Khans
Baku Khans’ Palace - AzerNews.Az
Buildings and structures in Baku History of Baku Palaces in Azerbaijan Ruins in Azerbaijan Houses completed in the 18th century Royal residences in Azerbaijan World Heritage Sites in Azerbaijan Tourist attractions in Baku Icherisheher