Khanates of the Caucasus

The Khanates of the Caucasus, or Azerbaijani khanates were various principalities established by Persia (Iran) on their territories in the Caucasus, (modern-day Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia and Dagestan) from the late Safavid to the Qajar dynasty. The Khanates were mostly ruled by Khans of Turkic (Azeri) origin and were vassals and subjects of the Iranian shah (King). Persia permanently lost a part of these khanates to Russia as a result of the Russo-Persian Wars in the course of the 19th century, while the others were absorbed into Persia.