1813| Treaty of Gulistan

Mavi Boncuk |
Treaty of Gulistan

1813 Treaty of Gulistan (also written Golestan, Gulestan, and Golistan), was a peace treaty between imperial Russia and Qajarid Persia, signed on October 24 (November 5) in a village of Gulestan in Karabakh at the end of the first Russo-Persian Wars (1804-1813). (29 Shawal 1228 on the Islamic Lunar Calendar). The treaty was set up by Sir Gore Ouseley (1) of Great Britain who served as the mediator, and was signed by Haji Mirza Abol Hasan Khan from the Iranian side in 11 chapters. Some historians believe that Russia's annexation of the Transcaucasus territories delivered their population from constant Turkish invasions on Persian territories and led to peace and relative economic stability. Others think that the peoples of Transcaucases were deprived of their right for self-determination and forcefully integrated with the Russian Empire, especially the Shiite people of Caucasus who have strong cultural ties with Persia.

By this treaty:

1. Persia (Iran) loses all its territories to the north of Aras River and is forced via this treaty to recognize Russia's authority over them henceforth. These lands include:
1. All the cities, towns, and villages of Dagestan.
2. All the cities, towns, and villages of Georgia, including all the villages and towns on the coast of the Black Sea,
3. Baku (now capital of Azerbaijan Republic),
4. Derbent,
5. Shirvan,
6. Megrelia,
7. Karabakh,
8. Ganja,
9. Shekin,
10. Abkhazia,
11. Mughan,
12. Imeretia,
13. Guria,
14. The khanates of Talysh.

2. Iran loses all rights to navigate the Caspian Sea, and Russia is granted exclusive rights to station its military fleet in the Caspian Sea.

3. Both countries agree on the establishment of free trade, with Russians having free access to conduct business anywhere in Iran.

4. Russia in return promises to support Abbas Mirza as heir to the Persian throne after the death of Fath Ali Shah. (which did not happen)

(1) OUSELEY, Sir Gore, entrepreneur, diplomat, and orientalist (b. 24 June 1770, Monmouthshire, Wales; d. 18 November 1844, Hall Barn Park, Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, England). He was the younger brother of the officer and orientalist William Ouseley (1767-1842; q.v.). The new-drawn border between Russia and Iran was so disadvantageous to Iran that Ouseley suffered for a time the shah's anger. Ouseley and his family left Iran in April 1814, setting out for St. Petersburg where in August 1814 Ouseley was presented with the Grand Cordon of the Russian order of St. Alexander Newski.