Kavus I

According to sources, he began ruling in name of his father in 1348, due to Keykubad's advanced age.[1] He was styled as "Lord of Shamakhy and Shirvan" in youth. He sought to gain strong alliance with Chupanid Malek Ashraf, as he travelled to his court and submitted to him. However, Malek Ashraf then unexpectedly killed a nobleman named amir Wafa b. Haji Shahriban in front of his eyes. Kavus was horrified and immediately returned to Shirvan.[2] Soon, Malek Ashraf sent his envoys Khawja Abdulhay and Akhijuq Malik to Shirvan and to express his desire to marry a daughter of Shirvanshah Keykubad I. Kavus denied the demand, and, frustrated because of denial, Malek marched on Shirvan but was repelled and forced to make peace. He attacked Shirvan once again in the winter of 1347, but Kavus and his father took shelter in the well guarded castles of Shirvan. After this invasion, sources do not mention Shirvanshah Keykubad I, and he probably died of old age between 1348 and 1356.

After death of his father he forged an alliance with Golden Horde khan Jani Beg and invited him to Azerbaijan. Aided by Shirvanshahs, the Golden Horde army captured Tabriz. Malek Ashraf was executed by Jani Beg on demands of Kavus in 1357.[3] Kavus sent his troops under his son Prince Noder to fight Chupanid remnants led by Akhijuq Malik, who defeated them two times.