Qaraqoyunlu state

 The Qaraqoyunlu Oghuz tribes, who took part in the formation of the Azerbaijani people in VI -VII centuries, participated in the military and political life of this state. In the spring of 1408, the head of the Qaraqoyunlu tribal federation Qara Yusif defeated the Timurid troops and drove them out of Azerbaijan. Afterwards the struggle between Qara Yusif and Sultan Ahmad Jalairid over the power in Azerbaijan started. In August 1410, Qara Yusif defeated Sultan Ahmad near Tabriz and executed him.

A new Azerbaijani state of Qaraqoyunlu (1410-1467) emerged in the area south to the Kura. Its capital was Tabriz. In different periods, the territory of the state included not only the Southern Azerbaijan, but a also part of Georgia, Armenia, Kurdistan, Iraq, and the Western Iran. The Qaraqoyunlu state fell at the end of 1467 and a new entity named Aqqoyunlu led by Uzun Hassan rose on its ruins.

«Azerbaijani states in history», Baku, 2012, p.114

Aqqoyunlu state

 In VI -VII centuries the Aqqoyunlu tribes dwelled in the area between the Caucasus Major and the River Arax. Some of those tribes later settled in the east of the Asia Minor (Eastern Anatolia), Diyarbakir and Iraq. With the brave military leader and wise statesman Uzun Hassan`s ascention to power in 1453, the Aqqoyunlu tribal federation headquartered in Diyarbakir became mightier. In 1467, Uzun Hassan put an end to the Qaraqoyunlu state. In 1468, he occupied the entire territory of the Qaraqoyunlu state and moved his capital from Diyarbakir to Tabriz. As a result of his brilliant victories achieved within a short period, Uzun Hassan annexed the Azerbaijani lands south to the Kura and the Western Azerbaijan besides Diyarbakir, Kurdistan, a part of Georgia, including Tbilisi, a large part of Iran and Iraq.

Uzun Hassan created a vast empire stretching from Khorasan to Karaman beyhood, on the Mediterranean coast.Under his leadership, the Aqqoyunlu Empire turned into one of the most powerful states of the Near and Middle East. After Uzun Hassan`s death, the Aqqoyunlu state eventually declined because of internal frictions. In 1499, it was divided into two. In 1501, it was replaced by the Safavid state established by Shah Ismail, grandson of Uzun Hassan.

«Azerbaijani states in history», Baku, 2012, p.115