Biography of Derbent

History History Derbent is one of the most ancient cities in the world and the oldest city in Russia. The first settlement of the Kuro-Arak culture, discovered by an archaeological expedition led by Professor A. Kudryavtsev, arose here in the era of early bronze-at the end of the IV millennials. The inhabitants of the settlement lived in turntables and stone houses with clay floors and floor foci.

The presence of grain pits in these houses indicates the agricultural activity of local tribes, that is, they led a sedentary lifestyle. At the bottom of the granaries, two ceramic female figurines were discovered, symbolizing the goddess of fertility. Similar figures were widespread in the V-III thousand. The appearance of powerful fortifications here at that time was a response measure for the invasion of nomads of the Cimmerians and Scythians.

A significant milestone in the history of Derbent and all of the Caucasian Albania was the official adoption at Tsar Urnair in G. Thus, the first Christian state in the Russian Federation was Caucasian Albania. Derbent was the most ancient Orthodox city of Russia, where before the city Along with this, we proudly note that Derbent is the only city of the ancient era, preserved in its historical place, among all cities of the Russian Federation.

There is information about Derbent and the events around him in the works of ancient authors Pliny the eldest 23 g. The very first mention of the Derbent passage is found in even earlier hekate of the Miletic trick. The Roman Empire began the struggle for the possession of the Derbent passage, which ended in the establishment of a protectorate of Rome over Caucasian Albania.

Consequently, the first fortifications were built and strengthened by the autochthonous population and their state formations. The struggle of the two largest states - Rome and Parthia for the possession of the Caucasus significantly increased the strategic role of the Caucasian passages and especially the main of them - Derbent. In the V-VI centuries. The monumental witness of this era and an outstanding monument of defensive architecture is the Derbent defensive complex, which affects its grandeur, grandeur and power.

He included a citadel, two long city walls that completely blocked the passage and went to sea, forming an artificial harbor. From the citadel to the mountains by 42 km. The Naryn-Kala citadel and the Great Caucasian wall of Dag-Bars are one of the three largest fortifications of the world, along with the Great Chinese Wall and now not preserved by Roman Danube fortifications.

In terms of the volume of the laid building material, they are seven times higher than the seven wonders of the world, the cheap pyramid.

This process continued here until the 10th century. Derbent is one of the few modern cities mentioned in the Holy Qur'an. Just like the oldest Christian temple in Russia, in Derbent is the oldest mosque built in the city at the beginning of the VIII century. Derbent becomes the largest medieval city of the Caucasus with developed handicraft production, fiberglass, metalworking, jewelry, stone processing and construction, weaving, carpet, production of paper, silk, soap, etc.

The period from VIII to the beginning. XIII century. At this time, he reached his highest heyday and turned into one of the significant cities of the Middle Ages. At the beginning of the XIII century. The selected Mongol troops, led by the two most capable commanders of Genghis Khan Subudai and Jeb, plundered many areas from Iran to Derbent to Derbent in the city of Derbent fortifications, made a very strong impression on Subudai and Jeb and, without making an attempt to storm, the Mongols decide to circumvent the fortress on the internal communications of Dagestan.

But in the city in the second half of the XIV century. In gg. In the XVI century. For a long period, the city becomes an arena of fierce wars. At the beginning of the XVII century. He made great efforts to restore Derbent fortifications and port, turning the city into a stronghold of Sephevids in the East and North Caucasus, a large center in the trade exchange of Transcaucasia and Iran with Russia with the strengthening of the Russian state and its exit to the Caspian Sea has significantly increased interest in the Eastern Caucasus and Derbent.

By analogy with St. Petersburg, according to the plan of its founder Peter I window to Europe, Derbent historically is historically a link between Europe and the ancient civilizations of the East. The possession of Derbent, to which many great conquerors strove, discovered the path to the richest markets of the East. The economic and political interests in the Caucasus and in the Caspian forced Peter I to closely deal with the “oriental issue” and begin preparations for the Persian campaign.

Peter I with the troops landed on the northern coast of Dagestan and moved to Derbent, which entered on August 23. Naib of the city presented to Peter I the keys to the city gate. The emperor lived in the citadel, in the palace, where, according to legend in one of the halls, he knocked out a window with his own hand overlooking the sea.On his orders, large repairs were carried out in the city to restore walls, gates and other structures.

After the withdrawal of the Russian garrison from Derbent, the city was occupied by one of the most cruel rulers, the “thunderstorm of the Universe” by Nadir - Shah. It was a time when the Dagestanis were subjected to difficult trials for their freedom. The cities and villages of Dagestan were destroyed and robbed, the civilian population was destroyed. Nevertheless, Nadir - Shah defeated precisely in these mountains in the city after the death of Nadir - Shah in the year with the process of the collapse of his empire was the formation of a number of new feudal states - Khanates on its outskirts.

A prominent place among the rulers of that time was occupied by Fet-Ali Khan Kubinsky. He was a gift and energetic man. In the year, Fet-Ali Han took possession of Derbent. In the first ten years of his reign, he united a significant part of the territory of South Dagestan and the northeast coast of Azerbaijan. He sought to collect all the lands within the borders of the former Caucasian Albania.

Fet-Ali Khan was a very skillful and far-sighted ruler whose main directions of political activity were: firstly, it was an uncompromising struggle for the separation of South Dagestan and the territory of modern Azerbaijan and the creation of a single state; Secondly, a clear discretion from the Sultan Turkey, and finally, thirdly, unchanged fidelity to the union and friendship with Russia.

In the city of Derbent, he was finally annexed to Russia, and in the city from the GG. The beginning of the XX century. In this mountainous region, the interests of Turkish and English interventionists, Bichekhov, Denikin, Bolsheviks and Mensheviks collided. And only from G. in all these events the ancient Derbent assigned a key role. Derbent met difficult trials of World War II, as it is appropriate to the city - the warrior, the city -protective city, with dignity, meeting the next tough challenge of time.

Thousands of Derbents went to the front, hundreds of whom were awarded orders and medals. Nine Derbents became the heroes of the Soviet Union, one full gentleman of the Order of Glory. Today, Derbent is the second largest city in Dagestan - a unique monument of ancient history, the only surviving ancient city in the Russian Federation, an open -air museum, a large center of tourism.

Here, under the protection of powerful urban walls, the ancient mosques and madrassas, temples and synagogues, magnificent medieval baths and caravanserais, huge underground reservoirs and ancient fountains, impressive Khan palaces and mausoleums drowning in the greenery are well preserved. Evaluating the significance of the whole world of the history of ancient Derbent and its contribution to world culture, to Derbent, who served as “locked gates” for foreign conquerors, today hospitably opened his ancient gates for his friends from all over the world and awaits his researchers, for whom he keeps many secrets.

III thousand III century. I-III centuries. III-VI centuries. V-VI centuries. VI-VII centuries. VII century. VIII century. VIII - X centuries. The largest port in the Caspian. XII century. Derbent is finally annexed to Russia.