The Ancient Turkish City of Shusha and The Battle of Shusha in The Second Karabakh War

Okan Yeşilot; Gülcan İnalcık

Article Details

The Ancient Turkish City of Shusha and The Battle of Shusha in The Second Karabakh War

Authors:

Okan Yeşilot | Gülcan İnalcık

Publisher:

Istanbul University

Main Topics:

Spesifik Alanların Tarihi (Diğer)

Journal:

Avrasya İncelemeleri Dergisi Vol.14 Issue 1, pp.125-151

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

4/2025

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001351739

pISSN:

2147-7469

Keywords:

Abstract:

 Located at an altitude of approximately 1,400 meters above sea level at the foothills of the Karabakh mountains, the ancient Turkish village of Shusha is a strategic center due to its position and structure, which are surrounded by steep rocks. Founded in 1752 by Panah Ali Khan, Shusha has secured an extraordinary place in the cultural and socio-political identity of Azerbaijan and the South Caucasus. Serving as the capital of the Karabakh Khanate between 1756 and 1823, Shusha raised important figures who influenced literature and social life, and it attracted attention by preserving its unique historical texture.Because of the Armenian occupation that began on 8 May 1992, Shusha was separated from Azerbaijan and remained under occupation for 28 years. The Battle of Shusha, a special operation during the Second Karabakh War in 2020, liberated the city and paved the way for the entire Karabakh to be under Azerbaijani control. The capture of Shusha provided an opportunity for Khankendi to besiege, break the resistance of the Armenian army, and end the war. As a symbol of victory, 8 November was declared Victory Day. With the Battle of Shusha, Azerbaijan gained political, military, and moral superiority over Armenia, and Shusha regained its historical role. This study first examines the historical development of Shusha and then discusses the 44-day-long Second Karabakh War and, in particular, the significance of the Battle of Shusha in modern military history.

 Located at an altitude of approximately 1,400 meters above sea level at the foothills of the Karabakh mountains, the ancient Turkish village of Shusha is a strategic center due to its position and structure, which are surrounded by steep rocks. Founded in 1752 by Panah Ali Khan, Shusha has secured an extraordinary place in the cultural and socio-political identity of Azerbaijan and the South Caucasus. Serving as the capital of the Karabakh Khanate between 1756 and 1823, Shusha raised important figures who influenced literature and social life, and it attracted attention by preserving its unique historical texture.Because of the Armenian occupation that began on 8 May 1992, Shusha was separated from Azerbaijan and remained under occupation for 28 years. The Battle of Shusha, a special operation during the Second Karabakh War in 2020, liberated the city and paved the way for the entire Karabakh to be under Azerbaijani control. The capture of Shusha provided an opportunity for Khankendi to besiege, break the resistance of the Armenian army, and end the war. As a symbol of victory, 8 November was declared Victory Day. With the Battle of Shusha, Azerbaijan gained political, military, and moral superiority over Armenia, and Shusha regained its historical role. This study first examines the historical development of Shusha and then discusses the 44-day-long Second Karabakh War and, in particular, the significance of the Battle of Shusha in modern military history.

 Located at an altitude of approximately 1,400 meters above sea level at the foothills of the Karabakh mountains, the ancient Turkish village of Shusha is a strategic center due to its position and structure, which are surrounded by steep rocks. Founded in 1752 by Panah Ali Khan, Shusha has secured an extraordinary place in the cultural and socio-political identity of Azerbaijan and the South Caucasus. Serving as the capital of the Karabakh Khanate between 1756 and 1823, Shusha raised important figures who influenced literature and social life, and it attracted attention by preserving its unique historical texture.Because of the Armenian occupation that began on 8 May 1992, Shusha was separated from Azerbaijan and remained under occupation for 28 years. The Battle of Shusha, a special operation during the Second Karabakh War in 2020, liberated the city and paved the way for the entire Karabakh to be under Azerbaijani control. The capture of Shusha provided an opportunity for Khankendi to besiege, break the resistance of the Armenian army, and end the war. As a symbol of victory, 8 November was declared Victory Day. With the Battle of Shusha, Azerbaijan gained political, military, and moral superiority over Armenia, and Shusha regained its historical role. This study first examines the historical development of Shusha and then discusses the 44-day-long Second Karabakh War and, in particular, the significance of the Battle of Shusha in modern military history.

 Karabağ sıradağlarının eteğinde, deniz seviyesinden yaklaşık 1400 metre yükseklikte konumlanan kadim Türk toprağı Şuşa, konumu ve sarp kayalıklarla çevrili yapısıyla stratejik bir merkezdir. 1752de Penah Ali Han tarafından kurulan Şuşa, Azerbaycan ve Güney Kafkasyanın kültürel ve sosyo-politik kimliğinde müstesna bir yer edinmiştir. 1756-1823 yılları arasında Karabağ Hanlığının payitahtlığını yapan Şuşa, edebiyata ve sosyal hayata yön veren önemli şahsiyetler yetiştirmiş, kendine özgü tarihî dokusunu korumuştur. 8 Mayıs 1992de başlayan Ermeni işgali sonucunda Şuşa, Azerbaycandan koparılarak 28 yıl boyunca işgal altında kalmıştır. 2020deki İkinci Karabağ Savaşı sırasında gerçekleştirilen ve özel bir operasyon olan Şuşa Muharebesi ise şehrin kurtuluşunu sağlamış dahası Karabağın tümünün Azerbaycanın kontrolüne geçmesinin önünü açmıştır. Şuşanın alınması, Hankendinin kuşatılmasına fırsat tanımış; Ermenistan ordusunun direnişini kırarak savaşı sonlandırmıştır. Zaferin bir sembolü olarak 8 Kasım tarihi Zafer Günü ilan edilmiştir. Şuşa Muharebesi ile Azerbaycan, Ermenistana karşı siyasi, askerî ve manevî üstünlük elde etmiş, Şuşa ise tarihsel rolüne yeniden kavuşmuştur. Bu çalışmada, önce Şuşanın tarihî gelişimi incelenecek, ardından 44 gün süren İkinci Karabağ Savaşı ve özellikle Şuşa Muharebesinin modern harp tarihindeki önemi ele alınacaktır.

Article Details

The Ancient Turkish City of Shusha and The Battle of Shusha in The Second Karabakh War

Authors:

Okan Yeşilot | Gülcan İnalcık

Publisher:

Istanbul University

Main Topics:

Spesifik Alanların Tarihi (Diğer)

Journal:

Avrasya İncelemeleri Dergisi Vol.14 Issue 1, pp.125-151

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

4/2025

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001351739

pISSN:

2147-7469

Azerbaijan

Second Karabakh War

Shusha

Shusha Fortress

Battle/Operation of ShushaAzerbaycan

İkinci Karabağ Savaşı

Şuşa

Şuşa Kalesi

Şuşa Muharebesi/Operasyonu

Issues

Article Details

Authors: Okan Yeşilot | Gülcan İnalcık

Publisher: Istanbul University

Main Topics: Spesifik Alanların Tarihi (Diğer)

Journal: Avrasya İncelemeleri Dergisi Vol.14 Issue 1, pp.125-151

Document Type: Article

Publication Date: 4/2025

Document Language: Turkish

Document ID (Org No.): 2001351739

pISSN: 2147-7469

Issues

Authors:

Okan Yeşilot | Gülcan İnalcık

Publisher:

Istanbul University

Main Topics:

Spesifik Alanların Tarihi (Diğer)

Journal:

Avrasya İncelemeleri Dergisi Vol.14 Issue 1, pp.125-151

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

4/2025

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001351739

pISSN:

2147-7469