the Epic poetry of Avars; the names of rulers who lead the most devastating attacks, Umma-Khan, Nursal-Bek, and Mallachi, are mentioned in Georgian sources. In the 18th century, the steady weakening of the Shamkhals fostered the ambitions of the Avar khans, whose greatest coup was the defeat of the 100,000-strong army of Nader Shah in September 1741 during his conquest of Dagestan. In the wake of this success, Avar sovereigns managed to expand their territory at the expense of free communities in Dagestan and Chechnya. The reign of Umma-Khan (from 1775 to 1801) marked the zenith of the Avar ascendancy in the Caucasus. Potentates who paid tribute to Umma-Khan included the rulers of Shaki, Quba, and Shirvan. Within two years after Umma-Khan's death, the khanate voluntarily submitted to Russian authority. Yet the Russian administration disappointed and embittered freedom-loving highlanders. The institution of heavy taxation, coupled with the expropriation of estates and the construction of fortresses, electrified the Avar population into rising under the aegis of the Muslim Imamate, led by Ghazi Mohammed (1828–32), Gamzat-bek (1832–34) and Imam Shamil (1834–59). This Caucasian War raged until 1864, when the Avar Khanate was abolished and the Avar District was instituted instead. Since 1864, the Avar Khanate has been annexed to Russia. List of rulers The first ruler by name - Avar (VI century) unknown rulers Abuhosro (mid-VIII century) Khosro (it is not known exactly whether he ruled), the son of the previous unknown rulers Uruskhan (Aruskhan) Khidirshah, son of the previous Tarraz, son of the previous Abbas, son of the previous Safishah, son of the previous Khavadshah, son of the previous Firavn, son of the previous Amir, son of the previous Said, son of the previous Tahmaz, son of the previous Fardin (Perid), son of the previous Bayar, son of the previous Namrud, son of the previous Kad (Bakir), son of the previous Firudshah (Prussianshah), son of the previous Toku son of Firuja (mid-11th century) Ummakhan, son of Firudshah Uruskhan (Aulkhan), son of the previous Saratan I, son of the previous Surakat I (XII century), son of the previous Ahmad, usurper (XII century) Abu Muslim, usurper (XII century) Bayar ((XII century)), son of Surakat Masum-bek (XII century) Sultan ibn Masum-bek (XII century) Chufan ibn Sultan (until 1185) Amir-Ahmad ibn Chufan (since 1185) Andunik (Amir-Sultan) (XII century), son of Bayar Malik Saratan (second half of the 13th century) unknown nucals Surakat (1362-1396,early 1430s) Bayr