Azerbaijan is one of the oldest spots of
civilization, a country with a rich and ancient history. A rich cultural
heritage has been created on its territory over the span of many
millenniums, contributing to the treasure-house of World culture. The
discovery of Azykh cave, the earliest habitation of man to be found in
the world, and a number of habitations of the ancient Stone Age prove
that Azerbaijan enters the zone of anthropoids to reveal the birthplace
of mankind. The main traces of
civilization are viewed in Azerbaijan. In the 3rd millennium B.C. the
process of tribe formation was going on here and by the 1st millennium
B.C. the first political formations had emerged. Azerbaijan State system
was being formed in the 9th century B.C.: Manna state with high economic
and cultural level had emerged. The pantheons of divinities were
created. Manna believed in natural phenomena; the Sun, the Moon. The
first part of the 6th century B.C. Manna was conquered by Media.
The official religion was Zoroastrism,
the spread of which was connected with self-kindled resources of oil and
gas. A great part was played by the Atropatena and Caucasian Albania in
the process of the formation of separate state structure on the
territory of Azerbaijan in antiquity. The name of the country is
connected with the name of the Atropatena ruler - Atropat which was
later transformed into Azerbaijan. It is in Atropatena that the process
of formation of Azerbaijan nationality began. In the 3rd -5th centuries
the Azerbaijan state system was strengthening.
Christianity was petrating into
Azerbaijan. In Transcaucasus one of the first apostolic Christian
churches appeared spiritual and secular life was progressing. At the
beginning of the 5th century the Albanic alphabet was introduced and
promoted the development of education. The unique monuments of culture
and literature, architectural traditions of that period have been
preserved to the present. Azerbaijan was conquered by Arabs at the
beginning of the 8th century and made part of the Arab Khalifat as the
vilayet Arran.
Islam became the leading religion in Azerbaijan, creating mew traditions
and culture. Azerbaijanis, like all other nations that accepted Islam,
were called "Moslems" and participated in the development of Moslem
culture, gave the world a brilliant gallery of scientists, poets and
architects. In the medieval centuries there was a succession of states:
Garagoyunly, Ag-gounly, Sefevids states were in power in a successive
way. Azerbaijani people distinguish among other peoples with its
specific image in the world culture. Cultural and literary specimen of
this people created for centuries are tanned with love of life, feelings
of freedom and independence. Grand works of art of our people such as "Kitabi
Dada-Gorgud", "Koroghly", coryphaeus who have left indelible traces in
the history of world civilization such as Nizamy Ganjavy, Afsalladdin
Khagany, Khatib Tabrizy, Imadaddin Nasimy, Gatran Tabrizy, Mouhammad
Fouzuly whose creative activities were devoted to praising world ideas
of truth and justice, served to establish human ideals. Art lovers are
still admired by the works of Safiyaddin Ourmavy, Ajamy Nakhchivaany,
Sultan Mouhammad Tabrizy who gave pearls to the treasure of world
culture. Our people have full right to be proud of the contribution
given to world science.
The name of our thinkers Nasraddin Tuisy,
Aboulhassan Bahmanyar, Mirza Fataly Akhundov, Abashouly Aga Bakikhanov
and others are well-known to world science. Heroism of such popular
leaders as Javanshir and Babach has been turned into a school of
patriotism, embodiment of courage and unification of people. Life and
activity of Mouhammad Jahan Pahlavan, Gyzil Arslan, Ouzun Hassan, Shah
Ismail Khatai and other statesmen developed love of Motherland and
statehood in people, and have been turned to one of the major goals of
our life. A rivalry between states to involve Azerbaijan into the sphere
of their interests resulted in striking inner destabilization in 18th
century. A number of independent state formations - Khanates appeared.
The contradictions between Russia, Turkey and Iran deepened in the
18th-19th century. Wars were waged over Azerbaijan. The Turkmanchay
Treaty of 1828 between Russia and Iran separated Azerbaijan and its
people: the northern part of Azerbaijan was conquered by Russia, its
southern part became a part of the Iranian state.
The 20th century entered the history of the Azerbaijan people as the
period of radical changes in socio-economic, political and cultural
life. A range of upstream and downstream industrial branches were
intensively developing in Azerbaijan. Baku turned into the world centre
of oil extraction and refinery yielding more than half of the worlds and
95 % of Russia’s oil extraction totals. The cultural life enlivened.
Archaeologist dates the first human settlements in present day
Azerbaijan to the Stone Age. Pre-historic cave dwellings have been
excavated throughout Azerbaijan, one of the more important being the
excavation at Gobustan, famous for its rock paintings.
The roots of present day Azerbaijan
trace back to the fourth century B.C., with the emergence of the two
kingdoms of Caucasian Albania in the north, and the Atropatan in the
south. The latter takes its name from its founder, Atropat, a satrap of
Alexander the Great. In fact many historians believe the word
"Azerbaijan" itself derives from Atropatan, whereas others think that it
means "The country of fire".
First Azerbaijan's Golden Age (9th -12th century A.D.)
Shirvanshah dynasty's reign (7th - 14th centuries A.D.) made the first
Golden Age of Azerbaijan possible. Literature, Arts, Architecture and
Science flourished in Azerbaijan. The great Azeri thinker and poet
Nizami Ganjevi (12th century) created his literary masterpieces such as
Khamsa.
Second Azerbaijan's Golden Age (15th -16th century A.D.)
In 1501 Shah Ismail (Khatai) the First, established the vast Azerbaijani
(Safavids) Shah Ismail, was a wise ruler and talented poet. He
established Azeri Turkish as a state language of the Safavids Empire and
was respected by European Powers of that time.
Partition of Azerbaijan by Russia and Persia (1813 - 1828)
Subsequent centuries saw a decline of Safavid Empire. In the beginning
of the 19th century Russia and Persia divided Azerbaijan along the Araz
River. The North Azerbaijan came under Russian control, while Southern
part went under the rule of Persia.
Oil Boom (late 19th - early 20th century)
The mass extraction of oil drew the investors and entrepreneurs from all
over the world to Baku oil fields. Oil boom gave an impetus to the
emergence of Azerbaijani middle class and millionaire mentors. This
period witnessed unprecedented renaissance in Azerbaijani national
consciousness.
First Democratic Republic of the Islamic Orient (1918 - 1920)
Azerbaijani patriots under the leadership of Mehmet Emin Rasulzadeh
established the first Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, recognized by
European Powers. The parliament of the young republic included
Azerbaijani as well as Russian, Armenian, Jewish and Georgian parties.
Born out of Fire ("The Land of Fire" free again)
After 70 years of brutal Soviet communist rule the Azerbaijani people
won their independence for the second time in this century. Many sons
and daughters of Azerbaijan gave their lives at the altar of freedom.
Azerbaijan is the only former Soviet republic with no Russian troops.
Development of oil industry in cooperation with the Western companies
promises new economic boom to the country. Despite the aggression,
blockade and economic hardship Azerbaijani people are determined to
preserve its independence and carry the torch of freedom and prosperity
to the future. |