Rutul Federation

The Rutul Federation or The Rutul Free Society is a Rutul state located in Southern Dagestan and was formed in the 7th century.

Rutuls experienced strong cultural and linguistic pressure from Azerbaijanis and to a lesser extent from Lezghins.

Before the annexation by the Russian Empire, the Rutuls made a federation of multiple rural communities which were known as the "Rutul Magal". This Magal was ruled by a Bek, a permanent leader. These Beks address important issues and are required to convene to a popular assembly.

In the 17th century, the Rutul Federation included Tsakhur villages and captured some Lezgin villages. They did lose two Rutul villages to the Gazikumukh Khanate and two more to the Akhty-para. This free society consisted of Rutul and Lezgi villages and was one of the largest free societies, along with Akhty-para, Alty-para and Dokuz-para free societies.