This is what Zubov wrote about Azerbaijani Turks in
1834 (his own first hand observations). A largely nomadic population at the time.
ЗУБОВ П
Tatars living in the Caucasus Krai, are the descendants of the Tatar, who in the reign of
Abakahana seized Persia, Georgia and all the provinces lying near the western shore of the Caspian Sea in the early 12th century after Christ founded their possessions in the
[154] conquered countries . Cramped first the Turks, spreading beyond the Caucasus their power at the end of the XV century, and then the Persians have mastered the reign of Dynasty Sofiev almost all the countries lying between the Black and Caspian seas, and are under their dominion, preserved in some way the people's identity, for having always Khans from among them, were of the championship in all provinces except the Caucasus region of Georgia, utesnyaya indigenous Armenians. This kind of factors contributed to the formation in them of the haughty and the imperative of the spirit, they differ in features. Not being forced to rabstvovat, they retained honesty, frankness and determination, manifested in all their actions: Although not neglect peaceful
[155] classes citizen and farmer, but
it is much more capable to craft a warrior and a shepherd. From this cause the biggest part of them lead a nomadic life, following the example of their ancestors, who lived in the vast steppes near the Volga, Don and the Urals. Nomadic life really has its own special amenities for the people, accustomed himself to endure all the air change. What is the location of the mountainous region contributes towards this. With the coming of spring, they, for their numerous herds are raised for the first slope of the mountains, lush green covered beginners, with a gradual increase in heat, and they gradually rise higher and higher on the mountain, and in the hot summer months, migrate at the tops of the Front Range. With the reduction of fires starting to go down again, and in the winter is already live on the
[156] valleys. Those delivering the abundant food perekochevaniem their herds, they enjoy all year round most enjoyable time of the year - in the spring.
Device their summer homes woven from thin twigs and obveshennyh round rugs homework, very convenient for such life (
talks about yurt tents). In the winter they live in mud huts, of which advanced wall consists of a number of logs set upright, and has a small shed, and inside is cobbled together from clay fireplace, means constantly burning fire. This kind of life contributes to perform miraculous nomadic Tatar sturdy, strong and healthy.
They are much more agility own guns, excellent horsemen, brave and fearless, that no old-time proven by experience in the last Persian and Turkish war, under
[157] the command of His Serene Highness the Prince of Warsaw, Graf Paskevich of Erivan, and even before, during, actions of General Prince Madatova in Northern Dagestan, under his leadership in the conquest of the Khanate of Kazykumykskogo, suppression and Akushintsev Tabasarans.
Accounts of traveler
Johann Anton Güldenstädt (1771-72)
ИОГАНН АНТОН ГИЛЬДЕНШТЕДТ
TEREKEMENSKIE OR TURUKMENSKIE, Tatars 305
They occupy the eastern foot of the Caucasus Mountains, the western shore of the Caspian Sea near Boynaka, Derbent and Utamisha and also own all the southern foothills of the Caucasus Alazan or Kakheti to the Caspian Sea. Their districts there are Cuba, Altipara, Tokuspara, Miskindzhal, Hinakut, Krishbudah Chamakh and all of Shirvan, they all have a common master in the person of Fath Ali Khan, whose tenure extends to Salliana. With the given border following turukmenskie district in the west: Shaka, Caballo, Agdash and Arash, who also have a ruler, now it is Hussain Khan, son of Haji Dzhalabi having a residence in the town of Nukha.
Terekmenskih, or Turkmen, speak a Turkish dialect of the Tatar language and are Muslim. In their country a lot of good land, but the Tatars are mostly only cattle and most of them live in their villages only in the winter, in the summer they usually live in yurts, they usually change several times a year. They have orchards and small fields with grain, and especially with rice.