Russo-Persian War (1804–1813)

The Russo-Persian War (1804–1813) was a conflict between the Russian Empire and Qajar Persia. It was one of the many wars fought between Persia and Imperial Russia, and began like many of their wars, as a territorial dispute. The war was triggered by Russian expansion into the Caucasus region and Persia's ambitions to reassert its control over territories lost to Russia in earlier conflicts, particularly Georgia, which Persia considered a vassal kingdom.

The conflict involved engagements across a wide geographical area, including modern-day Azerbaijan, Armenia, and parts of Georgia. Early Persian successes, fueled by numerical superiority and knowledge of the terrain, were gradually countered by Russia's superior military technology, organization, and tactics, despite the challenging logistics of fighting so far from their supply bases. Key figures on the Russian side included generals Pavel Tsitsianov, Ivan Gudovich, and Pyotr Kotlyarevsky. On the Persian side, Crown Prince Abbas Mirza played a significant role in leading the army.

The war was marked by several key battles and sieges. Russian victories at Ganja (1804), Erivan (Yerevan, 1808), and Aslanduz (1812) were particularly decisive. The Battle of Aslanduz, in particular, significantly weakened the Persian army. Despite Persian resistance, Russia gained control over significant territories throughout the course of the war.

The war concluded with the Treaty of Gulistan in 1813. According to the terms of the treaty, Persia ceded vast territories to Russia, including what is now Azerbaijan (except for the Nakhchivan and Talysh regions), Dagestan, and most of Georgia. The treaty also granted Russia exclusive rights to maintain a navy in the Caspian Sea. The Treaty of Gulistan marked a significant turning point in the balance of power in the Caucasus and Central Asia, paving the way for further Russian expansion and influence in the region and solidifying Russian dominance over the South Caucasus for over a century. It also significantly weakened Persia and exposed its vulnerability to foreign powers.