Barda, Azerbaijan

Barda (Bərdə; also, Bärdä) is the capital city of Barda Rayon, Azerbaijan. For a long period Barda was the seat of kings of Caucasian Albania and the Albanian Church, as well as an important trading and cultural centre, but it declined after the Arab invasions. During Islamic times, it was the chief city of Arran.

Located south of Yevlax, Barda is a small provincial town on the Terter river. It was built by the Albanian king Vache at the behest of the Persian king Peroz I and was initially called Perozabad, and later Partaw or Partav. Javanshir, the legendary 7th century king of Caucasus Albania, lived in Barda, and fought against Sassanid, Byzantine, Khazar and Arabian armies for the survival of his nation. The history of this struggle was chronicled by Moses of Kalankatuyk who lived in a neighbouring village. In 943, Barda was briefly taken by the Rus.

Although still the capital of a raion, centuries of earthquakes and invasions have destroyed much of the town's landmarks, with the exception of the 14th century tomb of Akhmed Zocheybana, built by architect Ahmad ibn Ayyub Nakhchivani. The mausoleum is a cylindrical brick tower, decorated with turquoise tiles. There is also the more recently built Imamzadeh Mosque, which has four minarets.

Agriculture is the main activity in the area. Local economy is based on the production and processing of cotton, silk, poultry and dairy products. The cease fire line is just a few kilometres west of Barda, near Terter.