Khalilullah I

Khalilullah I (Halil) (1418–1465) was 34th ruler of Shirvan and son of Ibrahim I of Shirvan. He was succeeded by Shirvanshah Farrukh Yassar, his son.

Reign

At the time of his rule Shirvan reached the apogee of its development as an independent state, but also faced many external threats to its existence. Sheykh Junayd of Safavid, the grand-grandfather of Shah Ismail I attacked Shirvan in 1460 and was killed in a battle near river of Samur, where he was buried. This led to beginning of animosity between mainly Sunni Shirvan and increasingly heterodox Shia Safavids.

During the reign of Khalilullah the city of Baku was substantially improved and Palace of the Shirvanshahs memorial complex was built. The Shah and his family were buried in the grounds of the palace which also acted as a Helwati Sufi Tekke. After Baku was taken by Shah Ismail I remains of Shirvanshahs were exhumed and burned, however tombstones survived to this day and were recently restored.

The Shah also adorned and fortified Derbend and Shamakha.

Family

He was married to Tamerlane's great-granddaughter, daughter of Abu Bakr- Khanikah sultan. He had 5 sons:

1. Prince Farrukh Yamin - (b. 1436 - d. 1443) died in childhood (aged 7)
2. Shirvanshah Farrukh Yassar I - (b. 1441 - d. 1500) - survived and became ruler
3. Prince Sheykh Saleh - (b. 1443 - d. 1445) died in childhood (aged 2)
4. Prince Amir Bahram - (d. 1446) - martyr of Qaytaq
5. Prince Muhammed Ibrahim - (b. 1432 - death date is unknown)

1. Unnamed daughter - married to Qara Yusuf's son Pirbudaq who was killed by Pirbudaq himself

• A.Paгимoв. O пoфeбeнныx в ycыпaльницe двopцa Шиpвaншa-xoв. "Изв. AH Aзetfyiguughyhjuyhpия иcт., филocoф. И пpaвa, 1975, N?2, c.49-58
• Dr Barbara Brend - Perspectives on Persian Painting: Illustrations to Amir Khusrau's Khamsah