Muhammad Hasan (Shaki khan)

He was born around 1760 to Muhammad Husayn khan Mushtaq and Qizkhanum (a daughter of Arash noble Muhammad Salih beg).^[1] He was sent to Haji Khan by his father to negotiate peace who in turn imprisoned and sent him to be executed by Ibrahim Khalil khan. However, he was spared and kept hidden for 3 years when he was sent to claim his throne in 1783, killing his uncle and cousins after a successful conquest.^[2]

One of his first acts was to blind his half-brother Fatali and put in house arrest who was more favored by Arash Mahal nobility.^[3] Which caused Salim Khan, another half-brother to flee to Djaro-Belokani in 1784/1785.^[3] Salim Khan occupied Shaki when Muhammad Hasan travelled to visit new Qajar shah Agha Muhammad in Karabakh on November/December of 1795.^[1] While Salim Khan lost the battle near Goynuk, a sudden arrest of Muhammad Hasan by Mostafa khan Davalu (a general under Agha Muhammad)^[4] on the charge of treason, led him to re-occupy Shaki using the opportunity. Muhammad Hasan khan was blinded by Qajars and sent to Tabriz as hostage, meanwhile his 7 underage sons were executed by Salim Khan.

He was restored to power during Agha Muhammad's reconquest of Transcaucasus in 1797. He deposed Salim Khan on 9 May 1797 with help from Qajars^[1] while other sources state he was supported by Mustafa khan of Shirvan.^[3] His 8 year long second reign came to an end when his relationship with Shirvan strained again. His domains were invaded by Salim Khan who was now supported by Mustafa khan, however instead of battling, he surrendered himself to Mustafa khan, who spared him and sent viceroys to govern Shaki as a part of Shirvan. While Salim Khan informed his brother Fatali of this betrayal, locals enthroned Fatali Khan instead of Muhammad Hasan in defiance of Shirvan.^[5][6]