Hamzat Bek

Hamzat Bek, born in 1789, emerged as a significant figure in Dagestan's history during the early 1830s. He served as the imam of Dagestan from 1832 to 1834, following in the footsteps of his predecessor, Ghazi Muhammad. This period marked a crucial phase in the movement aimed at implementing sharia law in the region, a cause that Hamzat Bek fervently championed.

Unlike his predecessor and successor, Hamzat Bek hailed from an Avar noble lineage, distinguishing him within the leadership of the movement. He was not affiliated with the Naqshbandiyya-Khalidiyya Sufi order, which characterized the backgrounds of many of his contemporaries. After Ghazi Muhammad's death in battle in October 1832, Hamzat Bek quickly rose to prominence, being named the imam's successor and taking command of the movement.

By early 1834, Hamzat Bek had successfully subjugated much of the Avar plateau, capturing Khunzakh, the capital of the Avar Khanate, and eliminating its ruling family. This decisive action not only solidified his power but also allowed him to potentially claim the title of Avar khan, merging the traditional authority of the Avar nobility with the Islamic leadership of his movement.

However, his reign was cut short when he was assassinated in October 1834 by Hajji Uthman, a relative of the Avar ruling family and brother of Hajji Murad. This event marked a significant turning point in the ongoing struggle for power and religious authority in Dagestan.