# Shahbulag Castle

- **Country:** Azerbaijan
- **Coordinates:** 40.068759, 46.905767
- **Year Built:** 1752
- **Location Text:** Aghdam

Shahbulag Castle is an 18th-century fortress located in the Agdam District of Azerbaijan, constructed in 1752 by Panah Ali Khan, the founder of the Karabakh Khanate. Built from limestone and dimension stone at the base of a mountain near the Khachinchay River, the structure derives its name from a nearby spring, literally translating to "Spring of the Shah." Before its construction, the site was known as Tarnagyut, a name historians believe to be a corruption of Tigranakert, referencing an ancient ruined city in the vicinity. The fortress served as a strategic military installation designed to consolidate power following the collapse of central authority in Iran after the death of Nader Shah.

The historical significance of Shahbulag lies in its role as the initial capital and stronghold for Panah Ali Khan during the formation of the Karabakh Khanate. After defeating the hostile Melikdom of Khachen, the Khan relocated his forces and population from Bayat Castle to this new site to better monitor the five Armenian melikdoms in the highlands. Although it functioned as the primary seat of power for a time, the Khan eventually moved the capital's dignitaries to the more formidable Shusha fortress. The castle remained a key political center until the early 19th century, when the region came under Russian influence following the Treaty of Kurekchay in 1805.

Today, Shahbulag Castle stands as a testament to the architectural heritage of the South Caucasus during the era of semi-autonomous khanates. While specific details regarding its current physical condition are limited in available records, the site remains a recognized landmark within the Agdam region. Its construction marks a pivotal moment in Azerbaijani history, representing the transition from tribal governance to a structured khanate system. The fortress continues to be associated with the legacy of the Javanshir tribe and the complex geopolitical shifts that defined the Karabakh region throughout the 18th and 19th centuries.

![Photo of Shahbulag Castle](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ab/%D5%8F%D5%AB%D5%A3%D6%80%D5%A1%D5%B6%D5%A1%D5%AF%D5%A5%D6%80%D5%BF13.JPG)

**Source:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shahbulag_Castle (Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)