Thread by @deSyracuse

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Population of Shushi / Şuşa / Շուշի
This [thread] attempts to explain the evolution of #Shushi population since its creation. (I used some information & citations from @Tom_deWaal excellent book « Black garden » ), completed by other sources.

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The fortress of Shusha was built in 1750 by Panakh Khan, leader of the Javanshir dynasty in #Azerbaijan, who establish himself as the Khan of Karabakh.
In the 19th century, under Russian rule, Shusha was one of the most prosperous cities in the Caucasus.

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In 1824, George keppel, the Earl of Albemarle, visited Shusha and described a town of two thousands houses, with three-quarters of the inhabitants Azerbaijanis, and one quarter Armenians. The trade was carried on principally by the Armenians.

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« the town was a crucible of talents. The Armenians were the builders and architects (..). For the Azerbaijanis, Shusha was the conservatoire of the Caucasus » and the center of their musical tradition » (citation from Black Garden)

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In 1916, before the Russian revolution, the population of the town of Shusha was 43,869, of which 23,396 (53%) were Armenians, and 19,121 (44%) were Tatars (Azerbaijanis).

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During 1920 pogrom, a part of the Armenian population was killed and the other part fled to #Stepanakert. Armenian quarter was destroyed and the population of the town fell to 5000, all Azeris

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in 1989 the population of the town was 17,000 of which 1500 to 2,000 Armenians. During 1992 seizure of the town by the Armenians, all Azeris fled.
The population before Sept 2020 war was estimated to 4,000, all Armenians.
END