of the Azerbaijani and Talysh people from their brethren in Iran. The area to the North of the river Aras, amongst which is the territory of the contemporary nations of Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia and the North Caucasian Republic of Dagestan, were Iranian territory until they were occupied by Russia in the course of the 19th century. Precursor to Second Russo-Persian War of 1826-1828 The Treaty of Gulistan did not resolve the possibility of a future conflict between Russia and Iran. Russia's priority before the war was Europe and the Napoleonic Wars, which explains the relatively small number of troops that Russia dedicated to the Russo-Persian War. The Treaty of Gulistan can be primarily regarded as a way for both countries to "gain a breath" so that they could focus on other issues. After the treaty was signed, Persia began rapidly building up its army once more, as Fath Ali Shah was fully devoted to regaining the lost territories. It is therefore not surprising that Fath Ali Shah ordered his military commander, Abbas Mirza, to start training troops in 1823, three years before the following Russo-Persian War. Furthermore, the Persian clergy publicly announced that the jihad against Russia was not over. In 1826, Persia, with British support, once again invaded the territories lost to Russia. The second war lasted two years, and Persia lost 35,000 troops to Russia's 8,000. Persia's defeat culminated in the Treaty of Turkmenchay, which resulted in further losses of modern-day Armenia and the remaining parts of Azerbaijan. See also Anglo-Russian Entente Armenia–Iran border Azerbaijan–Iran border Fath Ali Shah Qajar Iran-Russia relations Russo-Persian War (1804–1813) Russo-Persian War (1826–1828) Treaty of Turkmenchay Russian Armenia References Sources H. Pir Nia, Abbas Eghbal Ashtiani, B. Agheli. History of Persia. Tehran, 2002. pp. 673–686. External links BBC: 200th Anniversary of Treaty of Gulistan (in Persian) 19th century in the Russian Empire 1813 in Iran 19th century in Azerbaijan 19th century in Georgia (country) 19th century in Armenia History of Dagestan History of the Republic of Artsakh 1813 treaties Gulistan Gulistan Iran–Russia treaties Russo-Persian Wars Peace treaties of Russia Peace treaties of Iran 1813 in Europe History of the Caspian Sea October 1813 events