On the territory of modern north-western Azerbaijan there have been Dzharo-Belokan societies for more than a century and a half (the last third of the XVII - first third of the XIX centuries), which played a significant role in the military and political history of the Caucasus. In Caucasus study there is a view that the origins of Dzharo-Belokan societies became possible after the migration of highlanders (mostly Avars) from Dagestan to the lower areas of the South Caucasus. Based on the analysis and synthesis of the available sources, the issues regarding the origins of these societies are under consideration in the article.