Dzhebrailsky Uyezd


Dzhebrailsky Uyezd was one of the uyezds of Elisabethpol Governorate of the Russian Empire with its center in Jabrayil from 1868 until its formal abolition in 1921 by the Soviet authorities.

Geography

Elisabethpol Governorate consisted of Yelizavetpolsky, Nukhisky, Shusha, Zangezur, Kazakhsky, Areshsky, Dzhebrailsky, and Dzhevanshirsky Uyezds Jabrayil uyezd was located in the southeastern part of Elisabethpol Governorate bordering its Shusha Uyezd on the north, Zangezur Uyezd on the west, Baku Governorate on the east and Persian Empire on the south. The area of the uyezd was 2922.6 square verst. The northwestern part of the uyezd is mountainous. Mount Ziyarat or Dizapayt reaches 8,186 feet. The higher ground was usually used for pastures. The whole uyezd was located within the Araz river basin. The tributaries of Araz, Kendalan, Kuru-chay, Chereken, Gozlu-chay and Hakari-chay were utilized for irrigation.

History

The territory of the uyezd had been a part of Karabakh Khanate until 1813, when according to Gulistan Treaty, it was annexed to Russian Empire as Karabakh province. In 1840, the province was transformed into Shusha Uyezd and in 1868, when Elisabethpol Governorate was established, the southeastern part of Shusha Uyezd was founded as a separate Jabrayil uyezd. The uyezd center Jabrayil was used as a customs office on the border with Persian Empire. After establishment of Soviet rule it served as the capital of Jabrayil Rayon which was occupied in August 1993 by Armenian armed forces. In 1905, Jabrayil uyezd was renamed to Karyagin Uyezd with its center in Karabulak. Jabrayil uyezd remained in the same status during the existence of Azerbaijan Democratic Republic until 1920. After establishment of Soviet rule over Azerbaijan, Karabulag was renamed to Sardar, then to Karyagino and finally to Fizuli in 1959, as the capital of Fizuli Rayon, currently occupied by Armenian armed forces.

Population

According to census held in 1897, the population of uyezd was 66,360, of which 49,189 were Azerbaijani Turks, 15,746 were Armenians, 398 - Kurds, 893 - Russians and other minorities. According to Soviet census from 1926, the population rose to 75,371 with of which 71,725 were Azerbaijani Turks, 625 - Armenians, 1,089 - Russians, 520 - Persians. There were 178 settlements. The population was engaged primarily in agricultural farming, gardening, sericulture. According to statistical data from 1891, there were 37,000 of great and 108,000 of small cattle.