[2][a] It was established to protect the usual invasion route from Russia and the Ottoman Empire and to serve as a summer residence for the khanate's rulers.

[2] The sardar's brother Hasan Khan made the fortress his usual residence, using it to conduct raids into Georgia and the Ottoman Empire.

The khan's palace and storehouses were located next to the southern wall and were surrounded by large gardens, which were irrigated by the water of a canal from the Aras River to the fortress.

The sardar established a customs house and caravanserai near the fortress to take advantage of the caravan route from Erzurum and Kars which passed through Sardarabad.

The Russians captured thirteen pieces of artillery and large stores of bread and freed many Armenian and Georgian prisoners from the fortress.