Shusha (Azeri: Şuşa, Armenian: Շոլշի; translit. Shushi) is a town in Mountainous (Nagorno-)Karabakh, a predominantly Armenian populated region, which is de jure part of Azerbaijan, but de facto under Armenian military control.
Shusha was the second largest town in Mountainous Karabakh region after Khankendi (Stepanakert) . It was also the only town and district in the region predominantly populated by the Azeris. Situated 1400-1800 m above sea level on the picturesque Karabakh mountains ridge, Shusha was a popular mountainous-climatic recreation resort during Soviet Union.
According to the last (pre-war) population census in 1989, the town of Shusha had a population of 17,000 and the Shusha district had a population of 23,000. 91.7% of population of Shusha district and 98% of the town of Shusha were Azerbaijani.
Shusha was founded in 1750-1752 when Panah khan Javanshir, the founder of the Karabakh khanate (1747-1822) built a fortress on top of a mountain and made it the capital of its new state. The fortress was named after its founder Panahabad (town of Panah). Later Ibrahim Khalil khan, son of Panah khan renamed it to Shusha, supposedly after the name of the nearest village of Shüshükent. According to other version, the town was renamed 'Shusha' for its exceptionally clean air and water, like 'glass' (Şüşə-in Azeri). The town was also largely known by the name "Qala" (castle/fortress in Azeri).
Considered to be a historical capital of the Karabakh region, Shusha was one of the cultural centers of Azerbaijan. It was lovingly called "little Paris" for its beauty and high culture and "Conservatoire of the Caucasus" for providing the region with the best musicians. In 1977 it was declared reservation of Azerbaijan architecture and history.
With the start of the Armenian-Azeri conflict in 1988 Shusha became the most important Azeri stronghold in Mountainous Karabakh. From May 8 to May 9, 1992 the town was captured by Armenian forces and Azeri population fled. Today a large part of the town remains in ruins.
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