Shamkhal (redirected from Samkhal)

Shamkhal 

an urban-type settlement in Kizil”iurt Raion, Dagestan ASSR. Shamkhal is situated on the Shuraozen’ River, which flows into the Caspian Sea. It has a railroad station on the Gudermes-Baku line, and a 40-km branch line runs from the settlement to Buinaksk. Shamkhal has a poultry farm, a flour combine, a feedlot sovkhoz, and a sovkhoz for the production of dairy products and vegetables.

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Shamkhal 

the title borne by the rulers of various peoples of Dagestan, including the Kumyks, Laks, and Darghins, from the late 12th century until 1867. The title was conferred at a meeting of the feudal aristocracy in Kazi-Kumukh; at the same time the krym-shamkhal, or future shamkhal, was also designated. In the 17th century the authority of the shamkhal became essentially hereditary, and only Kumyk rulers bore the title. The residence of the shamkhal was located in the settlements of Kazi-Kumukh, Buinak, and Tarki (seeTARKI SHAMKHALATE).