A leader best known for fighting this empire was executed by it after being captured by a different power in the Siege of Anapa. A military campaign by this empire was launched to avenge the loss of some of its merchants in an attack by Hadji Dawud. A treaty heavily favoring this empire followed a conflict that ended with a Siege of Lankaran. The Treaty of Ganja reversed the territorial gains that this empire acquired in a previous conflict. (*) Erekle II made his country a protectorate of this empire, which required this empire to belatedly respond to an invasion with the 1796 Siege of Derbent. Though the drowning of a Persian princess is likely a fabrication, Baku was attacked by a rebel against this empire, Stenka Razin. For 10 points, name this empire that competed with the Ottoman and Qajar Empires for influence over the Caucasus. ■END■
ANSWER: Russia [or Russian Empire, Imperial Russia, or Rossiyskaya Imperiya]
<Alex Fregeau, World History>
= Average correct buzz position