2024-04-01 14:46:02
“6 operational plans were proposed regarding the entrance to Baku. The largest force of British troops was gathered at the “Wolf Gate”. The British were expecting an attack from everywhere except this gate. However, Suleyman Izzet Pasha suggested attacking the “Wolf Gate” and Nuru Pasha agreed. Because it was necessary to enter Baku through the main gate, only as a hero!”.
Big cities also have a second birthday.
Every year on September 15 – the second birth of Baku – liberation is celebrated.
When you stand a century away and look back, everything seems hazy to a person.
You remember the intellectuals and ordinary people of that time.
What were they thinking, what were they carrying, what were they hoping for?
How did they live in such a country, such a city?
What was the state of Baku before liberation?
And how did Baku get rid of foreigners thirsty for its blood and oil?
To answer these questions, we will try to look at the liberation of Baku from different points of view.
The liberation of Baku in the eyes of Nagy Bey Sheykhzamanli
The issue of calling the Ottoman army to Azerbaijan was resolved in Ganja. The main character of this historic arrival, who made this invitation a reality, later became the minister of the republic Nagy Bey Sheikhzamanli has been Naghi Bey writes in his memoirs written in exile: “Baku, the heart and center of Azerbaijan, was under the occupation of Russian and Armenian soldiers. It was necessary to clear Baku from the enemy. However, this was not a task that could be solved by the people’s forces. Looking for a solution to the situation, the National Committee held a meeting in Ganja. In addition to the members of the National Committee, other members of the city were also invited to the meeting. After explaining the situation, Nasib Bey, who opened this historic meeting, ended his speech with these sentences: “The actions of the people’s forces gathered from among the people took place in front of the people’s eyes. Each of our actions resulted in victory. But these heroic actions are far from achieving results. This time, Baku, the center of Azerbaijan, must be cleared of the enemy. In fact, there is no body without a head and it cannot live. It really needs a lot of help, and only the Ottoman Empire can give us this help. Here, let’s decide to send an authorized delegation to the Ottoman Empire and ask for military assistance.”
Why Nuru Pasha?
And so they do. As the head of the delegation, Nagy Bey Sheikhzamanli is sent to Turkey to provide assistance. Nagy Bey described this journey in detail in his memoirs written later in exile. He also revealed an interesting reason why Nuru Pasha was appointed commander of the Caucasian Islamic Army:
“Pasham, don’t let that prince be your commander”
Nagy Bey, who had many occasions in Turkey and even met the Sultan in the “Yıldız Palace”, explains his dialogue with Minister of Defense Envar Pasha as follows: “…I learned from the political figures I met at the central headquarters of the “Union and Progress” Party that only Talat, Anwar and Jamal Pasha wanted the Turkish army to go to the Caucasus, and the others did not agree to it. I met Anwar Pasha almost every day. During one of our meetings, I collected myself and said, using the fact that Anwar Pasha wanted me, “Pasha, I want to talk openly with you. We Caucasian Turks believe in two forces. God above, Anwar Pasha below. I heard that you have a brother named Nuru. I am asking you to appoint Nuru Pasha as the head of the military force that will go to the Caucasus. Pasha, our country is one of the richest places in the world. It is Baku oil that is attacking Russia, the old giant, from left to right. 70 percent of this oil belongs to us Azerbaijani Turks. Its people are hardworking and diligent. At the same time, he is quite a hero.”.
Freedom radio