Mughan plain (Azerbaijani:Muğan düzü, مغان دوزو;Persian:دشت مغان,romanized: Dasht-i Mughān) is a plain stretching fromnorthwestern Iran to the southern part of theRepublic of Azerbaijan. It is located on the bank of theAras river extending to Iran.[1]
The section of the Mughan plain which lies in the Republic of Azerbaijan has the higher density of irrigation canals.Parsabad,Jafarabad,Germi andAslan Duz cities lie in the Iranian part, whileCəlilabad,Bilasuvar,Saatli, andSabirabad cities lie in Azerbaijani side.
By theChalcolithic period (c. 4500–3500 BCE), the Mughan Plain was integrated into the sphere of the Kura–Araxes culture, a major cultural phenomenon in the South Caucasus known for its red-black pottery and early metallurgical development. These communities built fortified settlements, cultivated crops, and developed trans-regional trade networks.[2]
During theSasanian era (224–651 CE), the Mughan Plain was part of a strategic border region. Fortified cities like Ultan Qalasi and elevated mounds such as Nader Tepesi reveal advanced settlement structures, including irrigation systems and citadel-like layouts. These reflect a well-organized administrative presence in the region.[citation needed]
The Sasanian Empire used the Mughan Plain as a route for military and economic operations, and remnants of coinage, pottery, and civic planning illustrate the integration of the area into broader imperial networks.[3]
The ancient settlement ofAlikomektepe, dating toc. 5000 BC, is located in the Mughan plain and covers an area of over 1 hectare.[4] Early levels belonged toShulaveri-Shomu culture. The Mughan culture was later centered in the area.Mughan was a province of theAbbasid Caliphate, in present-dayIranian Azerbaijan.Mughan District was one of the administrative divisions ofShirvan Khanate. After 1820, the Shirvan Khanate was conquered by theRussian Empire.
