Materials on the Genealogy of the Hereditary Muslim Nobility of Derbent

A previously unknown 18th-century Arabic manuscript, 'The List of Seyids of the City of Derbent,' reveals the structure and privileges of the hereditary Muslim nobility in Derbent during the late Khanate era. This rare document, alongside Russian archival records and other historical sources, demonstrates that the Descendants of the Prophet Muhammad (Seyids) in Derbent maintained distinct social status and economic benefits—such as revenue from ancient waqf endowments—under Dagestani Shi’ite khans. Unlike Kazikumukh sharifs, these Seyids faced attempts by outsiders to claim membership, a phenomenon resisted by local communities with the backing of khanate authority. The study provides new insights into the genealogy and social dynamics of this noble lineage during a pivotal period in Caucasian history.

Aytberov, T. M. (2025). MATERIALS ON THE GENEALOGY OF THE HEREDETARY MUSLIM NOBILITY OF DERBENT. History, Archeology and Ethnography of the Caucasus, 21(1), 21–37. https://doi.org/10.32653/ch21121-37