by Mahir Khalifa-zadeh*
Original:
Khalifa-zadeh M., "Sasanian Imperial Policy and King Xusrō I Anōšīrvān’s Reform: The Case of Ādurbādagā and Arrān (Caucasian Albania)", Chapter 2, In: Research Trends in History, Ed: Arun Kumar, Helmand Books, New Delhi, 2025, p.35-65, ISBN:978-93-93992-94-9
https://www.helmandbooks.com/book-details/1737551382-research-trends-in-history-volume-1
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| Research Trends in History, Helmand Books, New Delhi, 2025, pp.99 |
The author analyses the Sasanian imperial policy and
strategy toward Ādurbādagān and Arrān (Caucasian Albania) as well as the impact
of King Xusrō I Anōšīrvān’s reforms on these regions. The analysis briefly
overviews Ardaxšīr I’s rise to power highlighting the Sasanian dynasty’s
political ambitions. The author discusses Shāpūr I’s ideological and political reasons
for declaring the Ādur Gušnasp fire-temple in Azerbaijan the empire’s most
sacred fire and proclaiming Zoroastrianism as the state religion. Shāpūr I’s
decision transformed Ādurbādagān into the empire’s Zoroastrian religious and
ideological centre, increasing the province’s strategic value. However,
Ādurbādagān’s proximity to the main war zones heightened its vulnerability. The
author notes that King Xusrō I Anōšīrvān’s reform enhanced Ādurbādagān’s
security by the establishment of the kust-i Ādurbādagān and Ādurbādagān’s
spāhbed (general) military command covering Arrān (Caucasian Albania). The
author emphasizes Arrān’s military and geostrategic importance in the Sasanian
policy to prevent the Turks’ incursions and contain Byzantine advance in Caucasia.
The reform tightened Albania’s attachment to Azerbaijan increasing its military
capacity and strategic value. In the late Sasanian period Ādurbādagān and Arrān
became interchangeable names in the northern bank of the Aras River through the
creation of the entire Ādurbādagān šahr shielding Ērānšahr.
Keywords: Sasanian, Khosrow Anushirvan, Adurbadagan, Arran, Caucasian Albania, Azerbaijan
* Khalifa-zadeh M., Research Professor, Ph.D, Canadian Historical Association, 130 Albert Street, Suite 1912, Ottawa, ON, K1P5G4, Canada
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