Treaty of Turkmenchay

The Treaty of Turkmenchay is a peace agreement signed on 10 February 1828 between the Russian Empire and Iran’s Qajar Dynasty following the Russo-Persian War of 1826–1828.

The Russo-Persian War was part of Iran’s struggle for control over its Russia with soil. The war began in 1826 when the Russian Empire launched a military campaign against Iran.

Russia sought to expand its influence in Iranian territories and strengthen its dominance particularly in the Caucasus region. Iran resisted these expansionist policies. However, Iran found itself in a difficult position due to prolonged long conflicts and the military superiority of the Russian forces.

In Russia’s expansionist policy from the 19th century onward, the Caucasus region held strategic importance. The Russians strengthened their presence in the region by assuming the protectorate of Georgia, a Christian state. Georgia became a military outpost for Russia. Thus, Russia occupied the fragmented and disunited Turkic khanates in the region and established a unified authority.

As a result, Russia signed the Treaty of Turkmenchay with Iran, formalizing its territorial gains.

The Treaty of Turkmenchay, signed in 1828, laid the foundation for the later cultural, political and demographic development of the region. The treaty provided support for Qajar princes seeking to ascend the Iranian throne. It also permitted both states to maintain naval vessels on the Caspian Sea, and specifically allowed Russia to station its warships there. Azerbaijan was divided by this agreement. Northern Azerbaijan remained under Russian control.

As a result, the Turks of Northern Azerbaijan were unable to unite with the Turks of Iran. While Iran had a population of 30 million Turkish, approximately 10 million Turks remained in Azerbaijan. This division of Muslim Turks into Northern and Southern Azerbaijan is regarded as one of the most significant consequences of the Treaty of Turkmenchay. Another major consequence affecting the present day is the establishment of the Armenian state in the region. Russia did not stop at this; it orchestrated significant Armenian migrations into the area. Through this treaty, Iran paid Russia reparations of 20 million silver. In addition, Iran was not permitted to appoint individuals to territories occupied by Russia without Russian approval.

^(Source: Fikirturu⁾

Following the treaty, resistant Turkic and Muslim khanates were renamed, merged, and placed under the control of a Russian official as part of the Union of Muslim Provinces.

Under the terms of the treaty, Turks in Azerbaijan could benefit from only one-fifth of the region’s resources. Financial opportunities granted to the Russians were denied to the Turks. The lands of Muslim Turks could be easily transferred to others. In the courts established by the Tsarist regime, Russian was the official language and laws were systematically biased against Muslims. The Russians settled Russian populations in the region to promote Russification. Furthermore, Turks were encouraged or forced to marry Russian women in an effort to sever their cultural ties.