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rial integrity of Azerbaijan and Nagorno-Karabakh as an integral part of
Azerbaijan.
Numerous books and articles were published and some materials were
placed in webpages on crimes committed by Armenians in different regions of
Azerbaijan in 1918. (7)
Some Western European and US historians have written several articles
on Azerbaijani history covering 1918-1920 periods. (8)
Along with applauding the work done in this sphere, it should be noted
that it is of great importance to disseminate the information not only to local
readers but also to international community, particular to West European
citizens. To this end, the Association for Civil Society Development in
Azerbaijan (ACSDA) intends to publish a book in several languages within the
framework of the project “1918 Shamakhi genocide” in order to disseminate the
realities in the international arena.
The ACSDA has implemented the so called two projects “Khojaly
genocide” and “Garadaghly tragedy” in this regard (for further information
please visit www.avciya.az). This can contribute to the resolution of Nagorno-
Karabakh conflict and to the restoration of territorial integrity of the Republic of
Azerbaijan. The Association is keen on continuing its efforts in this direction in
the years to come.
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Historical roots of Shamakhi Genocide
Shamakhi, the ancient cultural center of Azerbaijan, endowed-Khagani
Shirvani, Feleki Shirvani, Imadeddin Nasimi, Haji Zeynalabdin Shirvani, Seid
Azim Shirvani, Mirza Alakbar Sabir, Mohammad Hadi, Abbas Sahhat and other
figures to the world, and has always been in the limelight of invaders. Historical
facts prove that Russian aggressive and imperial policy backed the brutality
committed by Armenians in different parts of Azerbaijan including Shamakhi.
The Russian aggressive movement to Azerbaijani territories from the
end of ninth century on laid the beginning of this policy. In 914 more than 50
thousand Russians on 500 ships, 100 persons in each, came to the costs of the
Caspian sea. Shirvanshah Ali ibn-Heysem fought against the enemy not only on
land, but also at sea. (9) In 1032-1033 Russians captured Shamakhi as the result
of the destructive attack like “Barda tragedy”, and looted the city in 10 days
with the killing of 10 thousand residents. 668 years after this tragedy Peter the
first used Armenians, who were happily ready to serve Russian imperial policy,
to continue Russian occupation. He sent the propagandist of the “Armenian
case” Israeli Orini to Shamakhi in 1701. Later Peter the first attacked the
Caspian littoral regions in 1722 under the pretext of killing of Russian traders
during the Shamakhi revolt in 1721. He primarily attacked Shamakhi region.
This movement was officially called “Shamakhi movement” in diplomatic talks
of St. Petersburg at that time. As the following of the Russian aggressive policy
there were many Armenians in Russian troops attacked in Azerbaijan in 1796
under the leadership of V.Zubov. In October of the same year V.Zubov moved
the headquarters of the Russian troops to New Shamakhi. But the death of
Yekaterina the second in November 1796 and coming to power of Pavel the first
resulted in withdrawal of Russian troops form the Caucasus, and thus there was
a break in occupation until 1801. (10)
Attack of Russian troops to Jar-Balaken in March 1803 and occupation
of Gandja in January 3,1804 brought about expansion of aggressive policy of the
Tsarist regime in Azerbaijan.
Tsar Russia brought Shamakhi khanate to dependence on the basis of
agreement dated December 27, 1805. According to the agreement Shamakhi
khanate had to give 8000 chervon (Russian currency of the time) to the Russian
treasury.
After 1804-1813 the first, 1826-1828 the second Russian-Iranian wars
Russian occupation of northern Azerbaijan and settlement of Armenians in this
territory led to further tragedies.
In accordance with the Turkmenchay agreement (February 10, 1828),
singed as the consequence of the second Russian-Iranian war, Armenians,
coming from Iran and Turkey, were settled in different regions of northern
Azerbaijan, including in Shamakhi pertinent to Russian imperial policy. The
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main target of the settlement of Armenians in the villages Sagiyan, Meyseri,
Kalakhana, Zarkhi of Shamakhi was to control Muslim population with help of
Armenians. On the basis of this policy Malakans from Russian central regions
were settled in six villages of Shamakhi.
At the beginning of the XIX century Armenians constituted 9.37% of
the population, whereas at the outset of XX century it reached 32.6%.
Approximately in 100 years the number of Armenians in northern Azerbaijan,
including the territory of Iravan khanate increased 24 times and reached
1,211,145 persons in 1916. (11)
As to the writing of N.N. Shafrov, one million Armenians out of one
million three hundred thousand living in Transcaucasia did not belong to local
residents and they were inhabited by us. (12)
Earthquakes erupted in different periods, specifically in 1191, 1667,
1856, 1859, 1861, 1872 and 1902 resulted in numerous human losses and
destructions. 1902 earthquake brought about 200 human losses, 16 000 remained
homeless, 4000 houses, 6 mosques were destroyed and market place was burnt.
Hostile attitude of Tsar regime to local Muslim population was noticeable.
Merely 3 doctors and nurse rendered assistance to 16000 residents, survived the
earthquake. Having understood that the government would not provide any help,
the residents embarked the rescue operations by themselves, and even rescued a-
12 year old resident Ummi Muslim after the ninth day of the earthquake. (13)
With the instigation of Tsarist secret police department, Muslim
bloodshed was committed by Armenians in Baku in 1905-1906 (6-9 February,
1905) and in other regions, while a serious confrontation was not encountered in
Shamakhi. Despite this, the Armenians in Shamakhi rendered all kinds of
financial assistance to criminals who killed Muslims in Tbilisi, Kazakh, Ganja,
Shusha, and in Jabrayil.
The Russian Consul in the Ottoman Empire V.Mayevsky has written
about the bloody events of the time: “in this period (1904-1906) weakening of
Russian authority, sometimes its absence, was noticeable every where... the
events taken place in eastern Transcaucasia might have happened as an outcome
of “criminal activity of the government” and criminal activity of “Dashnakstun”,
which is the main organizer of turmoil.” (14)
The Tsarist Russian policy pursued in Azerbaijan “divide and rule” not
only stirred hatred between Armenians and Muslims, but also instigated hostility
among Muslims. To this end, Shia school was established in December 13, 1847
in Tbilisi, whereas Sunni school was founded in January 15, 1849. The so-called
“Ali” school, “Omar” school network was expanded in Shamakhi, Guba, Sheki
and other cities soon afterwards. Criticizing the Tsarist policy, U. Hajibeyov
wrote in “Irshad” newspaper in 1907: “the Russian government...above all
closed our eyes, and afterwards determined appointment of Sheykhulislam (head