Kumukh is an ancient village in Dagestan, Russia that has historically been an important center for the Lak people. It contains an 8th century mosque and was formerly the residence of the Kumukh khans, who ruled over the Laks. Kumukh became Islamic in the 8th century after an Arab conquest, though some pagan and Christian traditions survived into the 15th century. In the 14th century, the rulers of Kumukh adopted the title of "shamkhal" and ruled over much of central Dagestan until the Laks broke away in 1640. Kumukh was later formally incorporated into the Russian Empire in the 19th century.