The History of the Qadi Office in the Irevan Region of Azerbaijan (Late Eighth–Early Twentieth Centuries)

This study investigates the emergence, institutional evolution, and historical functions of religious authorities and the office of qadi in the Irevan region, one of the historical regions of Azerbaijan. It draws upon archival documents and historical materials preserved in the State Historical Archive of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Central Historical Archive of the National Archives of Georgia (Tbilisi), the State Archives of the Republic of Türkiye (Istanbul), and the archives of the Caucasus Muslims. These materials demonstrate that Muslim religious leaders in the Irevan region played a significant role not only in spiritual life but also in regulating legal relations and resolving social disputes in accordance with Sharia principles. During the Seljuk and Ilkhanid periods, separate qadis were responsible for civilian and military affairs, while higher judicial authorities supervised appointments and the administration of justice. In the Qaraqoyunlu and Aghqoyunlu states, qadis continued to perform both judicial and religious functions. With the establishment of the Safavid state in the early sixteenth century, religious administration acquired a stronger place within the broader structure of government. Although religious officials generally functioned under the authority of the ruler, qadis maintained a central position in provinces, districts, and urban centers. One of the principal administrative regions in which this institution remained active was Irevan, historically known as Chukhursad. By examining these developments across successive political periods, the study reveals the continuity, adaptability, and institutional significance of the qadi office in the legal and social history of Azerbaijan.