'Barda' (
Azerbaijani: Bərdə) is the capital town of
Barda District,
Azerbaijan. For a long period Barda was the seat of kings of
Caucasian Albania and the Albanian Church,
[1] as well as an important trading and cultural centre, but it declined after the Arab invasions. During Islamic times, it was the chief city of
Arran.
[2]
Located south of
Yevlax, Barda is a small provincial town on the
Terter river. It was built by the Albanian king Vache at the behest of the Persian king
Peroz I and was initially called Perozabad, and later 'Partaw' or ''Partav''.
[3] Javanshir, the legendary 7th century king of
Caucasus Albania, lived in Barda, and fought against
Sassanid,
Byzantine,
Khazar and
Arabian armies for the survival of his nation. The history of this struggle was chronicled by
Moses of Kalankatuyk who lived in a neighbouring village. In
943, Barda was
briefly taken by the Rus.
Although still the capital of a
raion, centuries of earthquakes and invasions have destroyed much of the town's landmarks, with the exception of the 14th century tomb of
Akhmed Zocheybana, built by architect
Ahmad ibn Ayyub Nakhchivani. The mausoleum is a cylindrical brick tower, decorated with turquoise tiles. There is also the more recently built
Imamzadeh Mosque, which has four minarets.
Agriculture is the main activity in the area. Local economy is based on the production and processing of cotton, silk, poultry and dairy products. The cease fire line is just a few kilometres west of Barda, near Terter.
References
1. Movses Kalankatuatsi. History of Albania. Book 2, Chapter VI
2. Encyclopaedia Iranica
3. Movses Kalankatuatsi. History of Albania. Book 1, Chapter XV
External links
★
Encyclopedia Iranica. C. E. Bosworth. Barda.
★ http://www.fallingrain.com/world/AJ/11/Barda.html