The palace architecture of Shusha stands proudly alongside the broader architectural heritage of Azerbaijan from the 18th and 19th centuries. To the European eye, these structures might appear as mere grand villas, devoid of the familiar baroque embellishments. Yet, in their time, these palatial buildings were majestic, strategically erected on natural elevations, serving as architectural and planning dominants within the city. Notable examples that have survived to this day include the Palace of the Shirvanshahs in Baku and the Palace of the Sheki Khans.
Surrounded by an additional stone wall with embrasures, these palaces functioned as Eastern fortresses, designed to protect the ruling elite and their families from external threats. The “Ich Gala,” or citadel, served as the last line of defense for the city: should an enemy breach the city walls, citizens and troops would converge within the citadel to defend themselves, their ruler, and to make a final stand.
The history of the Khan’s palace in Shusha is intricately linked to the construction of the fortress itself. The geography of the Shusha plateau allowed for defensive walls to enclose only its northern and eastern sections, which sufficed for the fortress’s security. Consequently, the northeastern part of the plateau was developed first, where the partially preserved city walls and the famous Ganja Gates were constructed. Higher up, on an elevation, the palace of Panahali Khan and a second perimeter of walls were established.
Due to the strategic advantages of the Shusha plateau, the citadel of Panahali Khan and the fortress walls were built almost simultaneously. By 1752, the construction of both the fortress and the palace was completed, and the Khan’s family, along with their courtiers and servants, moved here.
The two-story palace housed numerous rooms, including a large T-shaped grand hall on the second floor. This hall served as both the compositional center of the building and the throne room for receiving guests. The large windows were adorned with traditional Azerbaijani shabaka ornamentation, offering a splendid view of the valley and the road leading to Askeran. In a short time, fields and pastures were relocated to the foot of the plateau, transforming into the Khan’s village of Khanqendi, along with the peasants who worked the land.
Later, additional structures were built adjacent to the palace, including the palace of Ibrahim Khalil Khan and that of his granddaughter, Khurshudbanu Natavan.
The renowned Russian painter Vasily Vereshchagin, who visited these regions in the 19th century, was struck by the beauty that unfolded before him and described his experiences in several works.
During the Soviet era, the palace and its surrounding buildings were transformed into a children’s health center, where children from across the Union came to receive treatment for tuberculosis.
Following the occupation of Shusha by Armenian armed forces, the palace of Panahali Khan, along with surrounding structures, was looted and destroyed. Today, the palace presents a dismal sight: parts of the roof and walls have collapsed, the floors between levels are in ruins, and bushes grow directly from the walls. However, the view from the windows overlooking Khanqendi and the valley remains as breathtaking and majestic as it was two centuries ago.
The historiography of Shusha and the Karabakh Khanate contains significant gaps. This is attributed to the loss of certain archives, the limited study of the region during imperial times, and the detrimental actions of adversaries. The primary historical information about Karabakh in the 18th and 19th centuries has been preserved mainly in the works of Mirza Jamal and Mirza Yusuf Karabagi, as well as in bureaucratic reports stored in Russian state archives.
It is known that, in addition to the main citadel, Shusha housed smaller palaces and fortresses. Time and warfare have not spared the palace of Ibrahim Khalil Khan, the palace of Muhammad Hasan Agha Javanshir, or the palace of Bahman Mirza Qajar.
One structure that has miraculously survived, albeit in a semi-ruined state, is the palace of Gara Beyuk Khanum. This distinctly feminine name does not appear in any source. Only one account, left by a tsarist official who visited in the mid-19th century, notes that “the castle on the mountain belonged to the senior wife of Ibrahim Khalil Khan.”
Built on a separate elevation, the palace resembles a fortress. Its regular quadrangular perimeter, complete with integrated bastions, provided defensive advantages. The official date of construction for this castle is recorded as 1768.
Remarkably, archaeological excavations have uncovered a stone tablet bearing the date of construction—1121 in the Hijri calendar (1709/10). This indicates that the castle existed nearly fifty years before the city itself was established. The unique characteristics of the building’s masonry further support this timeline. It is likely that the castle underwent reconstruction and was integrated into the citadel during the reign of Panahali Khan.