Allahyarlı, Shabran

41°14′34″N 48°58′26″E / 41.24278°N 48.97389°E / 41.24278; 48.97389 Allahyarlı (also known as Alayer) is a former village located in the Beylagan District of northeastern Azerbaijan. Nestled in the foothills of the Greater Caucasus Mountains, it was once a small, Tat-speaking rural community primarily engaged in pastoralism and subsistence farming. Officially removed from Azerbaijan’s list of inhabited settlements in 1999 due to depopulation, the village no longer functions as an administrative unit, though the name continues to be used locally to refer to the region.

The name Allahyarlı is pronounced ɑlɑhjɑrˈlɯ. It is known by the same name in both English and Azerbaijani, with no formal nicknames or variants. The adjectival form is Allahyarlı, and residents were known as Allahyarlı people or villagers. Since it no longer holds official status as a village, it has no current administrative designation beyond historical references.

Allahyarlı was formerly classified as a village within the Beylagan District of Azerbaijan, located in the northeastern part of the country in the Caucasus region. It was situated in a mountainous valley at approximately 760 meters above sea level, characterized by steep terrain and limited accessibility via rural, unpaved roads. While precise geographic boundaries are not officially recorded, its area spanned several hectares of sparsely inhabited highland pasture and forest. At its peak, the population of Allahyarlı was estimated to be around 500 in the early 2010s, although by the late 1990s, the village had already begun experiencing significant outmigration. Following its official dissolution in 1999, it became effectively uninhabited. Today, Allahyarlı is referenced primarily in environmental reports or as a historical locale. It lies within the Azerbaijan Time Zone (UTC+4), and maps of the region, including the Atlas of Azerbaijan, depict its mountainous location.

The environment around Allahyarlı is typical of the eastern Caucasus foothills, featuring a mix of scrubland, deciduous forest, and highland pasture. The climate is temperate with semi-continental characteristics—cool winters and warm, dry summers. Annual precipitation ranges from 400 to 600 mm, and snowfall occurs occasionally in winter. The region is subject to natural hazards such as erosion and wildfires; notably, in August 2022, a fire near the site of the former village burned approximately two hectares of surrounding forest. Though depopulated, the natural environment of the Allahyarlı area remains ecologically significant and vulnerable to seasonal drought and human activity.

Allahyarlı is situated in the rugged hills of the Greater Caucasus Mountains. The landscape is defined by steep inclines, valleys, and low ridgelines that support sparse woodland and pastures. There are no major rivers running directly through the village area, though seasonal mountain streams provide water runoff. The terrain made the village both scenic and remote, contributing to its traditional reliance on livestock grazing and small-scale agriculture.

The population of Allahyarlı consisted primarily of Tat people, an Iranian-speaking ethnic minority in Azerbaijan. The village was established in the 20th century by members of the Allahyarlı clan, from whom the village takes its name. Residents spoke both the Tat language and Azerbaijani, and the community adhered to Sunni Islam. With a tight-knit social structure and a self-sustaining lifestyle, the village maintained a relatively stable population for several decades before experiencing steady decline. By the late 1990s, many residents had moved to urban centers for better employment and education opportunities. No official census was conducted after the village’s administrative removal in 1999, but it is generally accepted that the area is now uninhabited or sparsely used for seasonal grazing.

Administratively, Allahyarlı is part of the Beylagan District of Azerbaijan. Unlike some similarly named villages that have been dissolved, Allahyarlı in Beylagan remains an officially recognized settlement. Governance is organized at the municipal level, typically overseen by a local village council or representative body, in coordination with district authorities in Beylagan. The village continues to exist within the modern administrative framework of Azerbaijan and contributes to the rural demographic and agricultural economy of the region.

The history of Allahyarlı is relatively recent, with the village forming in the early to mid-20th century. It was never a large or strategically significant settlement but represented one of many small highland communities that developed in the Soviet era. Its name is derived from the Allahyarlı lineage, a Tat-speaking group that founded the settlement. The most notable historical event in its modern timeline is its administrative abolition in 1999, which marked the end of its formal existence as a populated place. No major military, political, or cultural events have been recorded in relation to the village.

Culturally, Allahyarlı was rooted in the traditions of the Tat ethnic group. This included the Tat language, oral storytelling, religious observances, and communal life centered on agricultural seasons. Weddings, harvest festivals, and religious holidays such as Novruz and Eid were key cultural events. Due to its isolation, the village preserved certain highland customs and dialect features longer than more accessible settlements. However, no prominent cultural institutions or landmarks were established in the village.

The villagers of Allahyarlı in Beylagan District practice Sunni Islam, which is common throughout the central and southern lowland regions of Azerbaijan. A small mosque or prayer room likely serves the religious needs of the community, functioning as a space for daily prayers and religious gatherings. While there is no formal record of resident clergy, local elders or invited imams may conduct Friday prayers and lead religious observances. As in many Azerbaijani villages, religious life is closely tied to seasonal and familial traditions. Burial sites are typically located on the outskirts of the village and marked by modest gravestones, reflecting Islamic burial customs observed in rural communities.

Allahyarlı’s economy was based entirely on agriculture and animal husbandry. Families raised sheep, goats, and cattle on the nearby hills and engaged in small-scale farming of potatoes, wheat, and garden vegetables. Beekeeping and wool production supplemented incomes. There was no industry, commerce, or state enterprise present in the village. Infrastructure was minimal—access roads were dirt paths, electricity was likely provided during the Soviet period but not always consistent, and there was no plumbing, gas, or telecommunications. A small school may have operated for primary education, but health care and secondary schooling required travel to larger towns. By the 1990s, deteriorating infrastructure contributed to emigration.

The village was reachable only by unpaved rural roads that connected to neighboring highland settlements. There was no public transportation or direct access to national highways. In wet seasons, the route could become impassable. Due to its remote and elevated position, vehicular access was limited, and livestock paths remained the primary form of movement in and out of the village.

Educational facilities in Allahyarlı were limited to basic primary instruction, if any. Students likely attended a one-room schoolhouse or had to travel to nearby villages for continued education. There were no secondary schools, vocational centers, or higher education institutions in or near the village. Education rates were modest, reflecting broader patterns in remote rural areas of Azerbaijan during the late Soviet and early post-independence period.

• Beylagan District
• Tat people (Caucasus)
• Rural depopulation

• Allahyarlı, Shabran at GEOnet Names Server