Shindan castle (Sim) - Shindan castle related to the Middle Ages has been registered on a high mountain in 6-7 km to south-west from Astara region, in 1828 ms height from the sea level. The total area of the castle’s territory is one hectare; it is located on the top of Shidan Mountain. The castle walls were fortified with semicircular towers. The Sindan castle name is mentioned connected with Babek movement in written sources; it is also mentioned that the Shindan castle is one of the main castles of Khurramit’s standing points. Primary investigations carried out in the castle show that this monument used to be functioning for more than 1000 years (VI-VII -XVII centuries). The castle is a great historical work of Namin city of Azerbaijan, which history existed before Islam. The height of the castle is 1850 ms; it was built with stone and saruj. Astara is seen very well from the Namin road. There are ancient graves in the west side. Some of these graves belong to Kharaqoyunlus of Shah Ismail time: the head of the buried is directed towards east and the legs are directed towards west. One of important events of Shindan castle is the revolt of Talish Hamza khan, the ruler of Astara, in the time of Shah Abbas. That time the ruler of Ardabil Zulfuqar khan Qaramanli kept this castle in siege and Hamza khan run by sea way to Shirvan. In the time of the battle between Mehranli Isa khan and Musa khan, Mir Mustafa khan Talish ibni Mir Camaleddin (Qara khan), Aga Mehemmed shah Qacar this castle was a refuge. Mehranlı Isa khan and Musa khan’s graves are in the castle. According to people, Babek also had been in this castle.

Veli Baxsheliyev, Azerbaijan archaeology

http://talish.azeriblog.com/2008/09/07/tarixi-ve-arxeoloji-abideler

http://vnt5news.azeriblog.com/2008/09/12/astara