He wrote: "Of those (i.e. tribes mentioned in Ashkharatsuyts—N.d.R), I think, the most interesting are Khenuks (Khenuts), i.e. obviously, Khinalugs, who retained as an independent ethnic component in the north of Azerbaijan even today".

According to N. G. Volkova, such an approach in determining ethnogenetical relations is hardly acceptable as Anatoly Novoseltsev's theory proceeds from a resemblance of two ethnonyms.

[9] The first mention of the Khinalug toponym is in the works of Yaqut al-Hamawi in the 18th century[clarification needed] as Khinaluk.

Although being a subject of the Shirvan Khanate, unlike the rest of the population, they were free of any obligations and taxes, except military service.

[12] Russian orientalist I. N. Berezin, who traveled in South Caucasus in 1840s wrote: "It is said that in the Quba Khanate, there are living antiquities.

The reason is believed to be parents' great interest in good reading and writing abilities of their children in the Azerbaijani language.

[6] According to a legend, they converted to Islam in the mosque Jomard (Gomard) or Abu Muslim located in their settlement.