chapterV ************************************page 14

Chapter V

As days passed by Nabi and Hajar were living a contented life. They took care of the herd that were given to them as wedding gifts. The weather turned hot and the grass in the obeh area is becoming less. The tribes had to move on and find fresher grounds. The time of migration had come. Every year the Shahsovan tribe migrates to the Sabalan mountains while on the other hand the Aghabashloo and Garapapagh tribes proceed to Sahand mountains.

The obeh soon became a busy place getting ready for migration. The women were busy putting down their alachighs, loading the camels with their personal possessions.

The news of up coming war between the Iranians and Russians soon spread all over the land. The news borne by a messenger reached Abbas Mirza Shah on his way to Ardabil. The preparation of the whole Persian army is needed to fight the Russians. To prevent them from losing their cattle and to avoid tribal envolvement, the king ordered the tribes to postpone their migration.

Fear spread throughout the tribes and an emergency meeting was held in the Khan's tent. They decided to send some guns but not food as the king has to provide them with the necessary rations. In a week, 3,000 young and able-bodied men and women of the Shahsovan tribe , including Nabi and Hajar and commandered by the Khan's son, went towards Ardabil to join forces with Abbas Mirza's army.

To protect the city from Russian invasion, Abbas Mirza and his army along with his supporters from Shahsovan tribe crossed the Khoda Afarin Bridge to Baku. Each of them knew the importance of Moghan plain with its fertile soil in their lives. Nabi and Hajar know that they

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Sabalan Mountains - a mountain chain in the north-western region of Iran.
Abbas Mirza Shah - one of the kings of the Persian Ghajar dynasty.
The Shahsovan tribe was formerly made up of 7 smaller tribes all under one leadership. They helped King Abbas of the Safavi dynasty in governing the area. Due to this, differences among the tribes themselves came up and the king was forced to split the tribe. Those who were in favour of the king were sent to Dasht-e-Moghan and were called Shahsovan (king's allies).
Moghan plain - an area for agriculture in a mountainous area.Useful for the tribes' agriculture and cattle in Azerbaijan.
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