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Located at the north-eastern foot of the Lesser Caucasus, on the river Ganjachay (Pool Hens). Center historical area of Arran. In the period from 1804 to 1918 was called Elizavetpol in the years 1918-1935 returned to the name of Ganja, but in 1935 it was renamed to Kirovabad (in honor of the Kirov) in 1989 restored the name of Ganja. Train station on the Baku - Tbilisi airport.

Ganja, as an administrative area comprises 2 districts in the city (Kapaz - 178 500 inhabitants, Nizami [1] - 164 500 inh.,) And pgt Adzhikent with relevant local authorities.

[edit] Population
Population growth rate:

1897 - 33,6 thousand people
1939 - 99 thousand
1959 - 136 thousand
1972 - 195 thousand
2003 - 302 thousand
2004 - 320 thousand
[edit] History
[edit] The emergence of the city
Ganja emerged as a settlement because of its favorable geographic position in Great Silk Road. According to an anonymous “Stories of Derbent, Ganja was founded in 859, Mohammad Bin Khaled bin Yazid bin Mazyad was kind of Yazididov Shirvan, governed Adurbadganom, Arran and Armenia at the time of Caliph al-Mutawakkil, and is so named because from there by the treasury. Origin of the name of the city due to the Pahlavi word - Gandza (Dzhanza “- the Arabs,” Gyandza “- the Georgians), which meant - a treasure, a treasure, a place of storage crop.

Juma Mosque (Mosque of Shah Abbas), 1606.Odnim of the evidence can be considered the age of Ganja mausoleum Jomard Gassaba, who lived during the reign of the fourth Caliph, Ali ibn Abu Talib (656-661). In the ancient territory of the city (Old Ganja) found the remains of the fortress walls, towers, bridges (XII - early XIII centuries).. To the north-east of the Old Ganja is a cult complex gay Imam (or Imamzadeh: Mausoleum XIV-XVII centuries., Obstroenny in the XVII century. Mosques and tombs). On the territory of the city survived the Juma Mosque (1606, architect Bahaaddin), dome homes (XVII-XVIII cc.). At the beginning of VII and VIII centuries eastern Transcaucasia was subjected to repeated raids, resulting in significantly damaged and Ganja. In the first half of VII century. Ganja was destroyed by the Persians, and in the second half - the Arabs. At the end of VII century the city was transformed into a scene of battles between the Arabs and the Khazars. Ganja begins to play an important role in international trade, socio-economic and cultural life of the country. In the life of the city commerce and trade figured prominently. For the development of crafts here had economic potential. Iron, copper, aluminous and other mines, which are far from Ganja, supplied the artisans with raw materials. As the formation of Ganja as the capital of the country paid special attention to and strengthen the military power of the city. Already in this period were built fortifications, dug trenches. In IX-X centuries. in connection with the weakening of the Arab Caliphate territory of modern Azerbaijan was part of the feudal states Shirvanshakhs Sadjids, Sallaridov, Ravvadids.

The building of the Azerbaijani National Council GyandzheFayl: Ramada plaza in Ganja.jpg
Gəncədə Ramada Plaza oteliV mid-tenth century, Ganja, was ruled Salaris, became the capital Shaddaditov. During the reign of Fadluna I (895-1030) Ganja strengthened even more. Shaddadidy built a fortress, palaces, bridges, caravanserai and began to mint money. Around the town built a new, more solid fortress. In 1063 created the famous gates of Ganja. As the transformation into a major center of Ganja and expanded its territory, construction of new commercial and industrial districts. Silk and articles thereof gained the sympathy of buyers not only local markets but also overseas.

[edit] The Seljuk Turks
In the middle of XI century, Azerbaijan was invaded Seljuk. After the capture of Tabriz Togrul I in 1054 moved to the side of Ganja. Lord of Ganja Shavir agreed to become a vassal of Tughril-bek. However, the invasion of the Seljuks did not stop. In the 70 years of XI century Fadlun III, ruler shaddaditov, seeing the futility of war, surrendered, but after a while, taking advantage of an opportune moment, he returned to power. In 1086 the Seljuk ruler Malik Shah sent his commander buck on Ganja. Despite fierce resistance from local people, Seljuk Turks captured the city. During the war, the governor of Ganja Fadlun III was captured and, thus, put an end to the reign of Shaddaditov dynasty, who ruled over 100 years. Board of Ganja Malik Shah put on his son Ghiyath al-Din Tapar. Ghiyath al-Din Muhammad Tapar and after his election as the Sultan was still one of the main resident of the Seljuk rulers of Ganja.

In the first half of the XII century. Ganja several times been invaded Georgians, Ganja became vassals of Georgia and was it before the invasion of the Mongols. Another event related to Ganja, was an enormous strength earthquake, which occurred on September 25, 1139 and destroyed the city, which in this regard has been moved to another location. The earthquake in this region formed a series of landslide lakes - Geigel, Maralgol, Dzheyrangel, Ordekgel, Zaligelyu, Aggol, Garagol and Shamlygel. Ruins of ancient Ganja located seven kilometers from the modern city, downstream. Taking advantage of the destruction of the city and the absence of the governor, the Georgian king Demetre I attacked the city, captured many trophies and took with him the famous gates of Ganja, which are still stored in the yard of Gelati Monastery in Georgia. With the formation of the State Atabekov Azerbaijani Ganja became the residence of the ruler atabekskogo Arran.

Home XII-XIII centuries. be called the heyday of Ganja - the second capital of the state Atabekov, because due to the fact that its products have become known far beyond the country, she rose to the level of “mother Arranskih cities. The fabric, which was produced here and was called “Ganja silk”, was highly appreciated in the markets of neighboring countries and the Middle East.

[edit] Between Russia and Iran
Main article: Ganja khanate
One of the khanates that originated in the beginning of XVIII century in Azerbaijan, Ganja khanate. Representative of the long reigned in Ganja kind Ziyadogly Shahverdi Khan was the Khan of Ganja. Center became Ganja Khanate. In the 80 years of XVIII century during the reign of Javad Khan, Ganja khanate significantly strengthened. He pursued an independent foreign policy. Khanate was in Ganja own mint. During this period, the tsarist Russia tried to seize more land, expand markets for attaching great importance to Azerbaijan due to its strategic and economic position. Given the good location of the Ganja khanate, its territory could be used as a stronghold of the army to join other khanates Azerbaijan. Command of the Russian army believed Ganja “key to the northern provinces of Persia.” General Tsitsianov wrote that Ganja fortress because of the favorable geographical position occupied an important place in Azerbaijan, and therefore a top priority of Russia was the capture of the fortress. Tsitsianov several times to Javad Khan voluntarily surrender and each time received a waiver.

November 20, 1803 Tsitsianov through Tbilisi towards the Ganja from the army (more than 2 thousand people.), In December, approached the fortress. Realizing that the fortress would be difficult to master, after some training, January 3, 1804 at 5 o’clock in the morning, he gave the order to attack it. Troops Tsitsianov two columns stormed the Ganja. In the assault, in addition to Russian, attended by up to 700 Azerbaijani militia and volunteers from other khanates - opponents Jawad Khan. Ganja is a very strong fortress. It was surrounded by double walls (external - and internal cob - a stone), which reach heights of 8 meters. The walls were strengthened by 6 towers. On the third attempt at a Russian managed to overcome the wall and break into a fortress, with those in the battle on the walls was killed Jawad Khan. By noon, Ganja was taken. Ganja khanate was annexed to Russia, and renamed itself Ganja Elizavetpol (in honor of the Empress Elizabeth Alekseyevna - wife of Alexander I). In 1805, the tsarist government formally introduced a curfew method of government. Since then, the entire military, property and financial power was concentrated in the hands of the commandant. In 1806 in Ganja was created District Court. In order to gain control over the population of the city in 1824 in Ganja was a police department. The population was dissatisfied with this institution, its method of governance. Komendantskaya system was abolished in 1840. Ganja as the county became part of the Georgian-Imeretiyskoy province and there was established the post of head of the county. In 1868 was created Elisabethpol province. Ganja became the capital of Yelizavetpol province.

In the first Russian-Persian war of 1804-1813. The Persian army is several times that number of Russian troops in Transcaucasia, but much inferior to them in the art of war, combat training and organization. The main fighting took place on both sides of the lake Geycha in two directions - Ganja and Erivan, where were the main road to Tbilisi. In October 1813, Persia was forced to conclude a treaty of Gulistan, which recognized the annexation to Russia Dagestan and northern Azerbaijan. Since 1868 Elizavetpol - Center Yelizavetpol province. In 1883, linked by rail to Baku, Tbilisi and Batumi.

[edit] XX Century
As of 1892, in Ganja, there were 25 758 residents (including Tatar Muslims (Azeris) 13 392 Armenians 10 524 have been resettled there after Gyullistanskogo peace treaty during the resettlement of Armenians from Persia under the patronage of the Ambassador of Russia in Persia Griboyedov). In the city were 13 mosques, 6 Armenian churches and 2 Russian Orthodox churches [2]. Home Juma Mosque (Jaami Ganja), built by Shah Abbas I in 1620, surmounted by a huge dome and surrounded by many cells and the facilities for Muslim students. Ganja first half of the twentieth century - an extraordinarily beautiful city with wide streets are planned, overshadows the well-known throughout the Caucasus Ganja plane trees. Because of spreading from the trunks of centuries-old giant in a few human girths peeking distinctive architecture of the houses. Houses in Ganja were mostly two-storey, with binding arched gate, which is carved arched gate, the same shape. Presence of home yards was also the obligatory attribute of Ganja homes. The gardens have grown almost all known species of fruits in the Caucasus, but is especially famous use Ganja persimmon and pomegranate.
Ganja Travel Leisure Tourism Resorts
Building urban administratsii.Osenyu 1905 in the city there were bloody clashes between the Armenians and the Tartars, in which the population was divided: the Muslims have focused on the left, the Armenians - on the right bank. Inter-ethnic clashes were in 1918-1920. In June 1918 moved from Tiflis, Ganja first Mousavat Government of Azerbaijan, in particular, to restore historic name of the city, it was in Ganja until September, when the Turks moved in the capture of Baku. May 1, 1920 the city was part of the 11 th Red Army. On the night of 25 to 26 May in the city broke out anti-Soviet uprising that was crushed during the week.

In Soviet times, Ganja (Kirovabad) became the second after the Baku, an industrial and cultural center of Azerbaijan. Since the beginning of the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, November 21, 1988 in the city have been attempts to organize pogroms against Armenians [3] [4] [5] [6], which were prevented by the efforts of the Soviet army and local militia. However, due to the tense inter-ethnic atmosphere, the Armenian population was forced to leave the city. [7]