The meaning of the name of the historical area "Qalaqayın" (Galagayin) has been expressed in different versions. The first of these, as the name suggests, contains the meaning "strong fortress". Because there were attacks from the south, and the castle was called that because it was stable and solid. This castle played the role of a fortification in the Middle Ages. Maybe that's why they gave it this name. But let's bring to your attention that the history of the place called Galagayin, according to the results of historical books and archeological excavations, starts from the 3rd century. This period is the period when the Sassanid state (226-651) ruled. And the Aryan (Iranian) languages (the official Pahlavi language) were widely used in these places. The meaning of the name "Galagayin" comes from the Iranian languages "kalak" meaning "city" and "ayin" meaning "law and order" or "region".
According to the sources, the date of the beginning belongs to the 4th century. Unfortunately, there is no extensive information about the early periods. The land of Mughan, known as "Khavar zamin", i.e. "Sunny land", was persecuted by Arabs, Turks (Ottomans), Persians and other foreign invaders for many years, but it turned into an impregnable fortress after overcoming all the attacks of the enemies. Since then, "Khavar zamin" has been replaced by the name of Qalaqayın.
There was a paint house in Qalaqayın (Galagayin) whose rent was 150 Shirvan rubles. Previously (until 1820 - S.I.) the rent was given to Shirvan Khan Mustafa Khan. A customs fee of 6 abbas was charged for each load of the caravan passing through Mughan district from Iran and other places. There were 6 salt lakes in 6 trees from Qalagayın. While the local population used the salt lakes without paying taxes, those who came to take salt from other parts of Shirvan province had to pay 1 abassi per load. Mughan people living behind Kura were exempted from other taxes and duties, except for chervon (10 gold coins). Instead, the people of Mughan had to prevent any threat from the Iranian side and against Russia from the Mughan countryside, keep watch and always be ready for military service. Thus, the people of Mughan paid a tax of about 1 chervon per family to the treasury.
The founder of the Turkish Afshar state, Nadir Shah Afshar, declared himself shah in Qalaqayın. According to historians, for the congress to be organized on March 21, 1736, decrees were sent to all the provinces under the power of the sword to "every corner" of the state, and judges, provincial chiefs, elders and scholars called for a congress in Qalaqayın-Mughan near the Javad pass. It was also ordered that 12,000 houses be built of wood and bark at the confluence of Kura and Araz, near the Javad pass; build a caravanserai, mosque and mansions. Soon about 100 thousand people gathered here.
For Nadir Shah, large tents covered with silk fabrics and fabrics were built here. Inside, they were decorated with countless gold, silver and other jewels. Nadir's guests, who gave lavish receptions in his tent, were presented with beautiful dishes in gold and silver dishes without interruption. They were entertained by musicians and singers, ropers and dancers. The country was moaning from the wounds, hunger and famine, the roads were full of beggars and crippled wretches who had lost their ability to work in countless wars.
Agha Muhammad Shah Qajar, the founder of the Qajar state, which replaced the Afshar state, also declared himself shah in Qalaqayın. In those years, the main forces of the Russian army in the Caucasus moved from New Shamakhi (Aghsu) and stopped at the confluence of the Kura and Araz rivers on November 21. It was planned to spend the winter here until the spring of next year. It was assumed that the Russian squadron would help them by landing from the sea. Russia's eyes were already focused on South Azerbaijan and the southern shores of the Caspian Sea. These actions had to deal a strong blow to the power of Agha Muhammad Shah. The discussed plan was supposed to be implemented in the spring of 1797. The camp was located on the left bank of the Kur, a little below the confluence of the Kur and Araz rivers. Russian troops had a good rest here, because there was enough fish in the Kura River, herds of pigs were brought from Georgia. There was enough grass for draft animals and horses.
The Russian authorities, aiming to strengthen Azerbaijan, tried to implement a number of political and economic measures. Zubov developed a project to strengthen the position of Russian troops and ensure the economic appropriation of the land. According to this project, a fortress called Yekaterinaserd was to be built in honor of Catherine II near the place where Kur and Araz meet - near Javad, that is, in Qalaqayın. Two thousand young Russian soldiers should be sent here, and Georgians and Armenians should be forced to give them brides.
This fort was supposed to be an outpost facing the south. At the same time, that fortress was supposed to be a trade hub, a large market for the trade of the Caspian, South Caucasus, and partly Central Asia and Iran. Masters were even identified and sent from Petersburg for the construction of Yekaterinaserd fortress at the place where Kur was poured into Araz.
The death of Catherine II on November 6, 1796 changed the course of events. Paul I, who came to power, began to implement the opposite policy. He withdrew the Russian troops from the Caucasus.
The historical Javad khanate was also known as the Mughan khanate. The reason why it was called the Javad Khanate was that the center was located in the Javad fortress-city. The reason why it was called the Mughan Khanate was that the Khan family was born and lived in Qalaqayın. The main part of the khanate was Mugan district, the center of which was the fortress-city of Qalaqayın. The place where the Javad fortress-city was located was considered Rudbar district. The bank of the Kura River was called Rudbar.
This dynasty was always in Mughan before the khanate (before the death of Nadir Shah). At that time, Mughan district extended to Salyan and Masalli regions and the present Ungut territory of Iran. When the khanate was established, the fortress-city of Javad came under the control of the nobles who ruled the khanate. Thus, the khanate was named after the center. At the same time, the mansion of the Khan dynasty and the fortress-city of Qalaqayın existed in Mughan. And it played the role of a kind of second capital.
