Expansion of the Russians into the Caspian Sea region (1700-1750)

The Russian attacks under the command of Razin on Azerbaijani lands in the second half of the 17th century expanded further at the beginning of the 18th century and turned into an occupation policy. After the Russian army led by Razin carried out its actions on the territory of Azerbaijan, the Safavid Empire was able to recover and relations between the two states turned into a ceasefire. This situation changed with coming of Peter I to the head of Russia. In 1721, for various reasons and purposes, Peter I marched to the western shores of the Caspian region. The weakening of the Safavid Empire and its inability to respond to these marches caused passing the control of the lands of the Caspian coast to the Russian Empire, and the lands in the inner and western parts to the Ottoman Empire in 1723. In addition, Afghan revolts endangered the existence of the Safavid Empire. Nadir Khan declared himself as "shah" in 1736 and ended the Safavid Empire. Nadir Shah ruled his state 11 years and later 13 khanates rule emerged. The occupation policy implemented from the beginning of the 18th century resulted in the division of Azerbaijan between the Romanovs and the Qajars Dynasties in 1813 and 1828.