Historical sciences / 4. Ethnography

Prof. N.M. Guliyeva,

Doctor of historical sciences,

Institute of archaeology and ethnography of Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, Baku, Azerbaijan

PhD. postgraduate E.L. Hasanov

Scholar of Ganja branch of Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences,

Ganja, Azerbaijan

TO THE QUESTION ON THE RESEARCH OF HISTORICAL HERITAGE OF GANJA

EMBLEM

The emblem on the flag of Ganja Ziyadogluları generation, which representative was a powerful khan of Ganja Jawad Khan, was adopted in 2004 as the emblem of Ganja. Ziyadoglular is one of the branch of Qachaqs,which was the tribes of 9 influential Gyzylbash tribes.From IX-X centuries Ziyadoglular, whose power intensified in Azerbaijan, controled Ganja’s beylerbeylik during 400 years. The symbols  on the emblem give the following meanings: 

The sun – is the symbol of eternal life.

The moon - a symbol of eternal light, purity, and as a symbol of white color gives meaning of freedom.

Oak leaf -  is a symbol of  splending, longevity and wisdom.

Eight-pointed star - (sun symbol) – according to Islamic religious belief means 8 gates of paradise, so it indicates that Ganja is  place of paradise.

Libra - reiterated Libra sign in the circle means equality, fairness, honesty.

Monumentistics   and majesty take  place in the emblem.

Green background is a symbol of  Islamism

During the archeological excavations material - cultural remains have proved that Ganja, which is one of humanity's most ancient settlements, had played an important role in the history of the development of science and culture of our country. During passage point of zoroastrian, moslim, and christian civilization , also location on the Silk Way from West to East , from North to South,suitable natural-geografical conditions,rich soil, mild climate, plentiful rivers ,also talented and gifted people of Ganja played exceptional role for developing in Azerbaijan science and culture history.

Ganja is located on the ancient caravan routes,so merchants, travelers, scientists and cultural workers from different countries of the world visited Ganja, and first of all,their visiting helped our nation to integrate their spiritual values to all mankind civilizations.

Also in XI century, during the Arab Caliphate flowering, the great thinker Gatran Tabrizi’s population in Ganja shows, that Ganja has become a major center of culture and science in the Muslim East . From the sources it becomes clear, in that period in Ganja there were personal and public libraries, medresses as modern universities, observatories and medical centers . Muslim culture has spreat to the neighboring Christian states from here. That why, many scientists, poets, architects, artists from different countries of East settled in Ganja. 

Also, Sheikh Nizami, appreciating Ganja's cultural level more highly, praised his native city "My Babil". In the middle of the XII century there were schools, medresses, private and public libraries, "The houses of wisdom" and "Health centers"in Ganja.In historical sources there was an information that, in Ganja there was a large library "Dar al-kutub", that had been led by a famous scientist Abulfaz al-Nakhchivany.From Sheikh Nizami's reading and the names of the works, it becomes clear, that there were rich libraries in Ganja. Thus, about this regard the Sheikh of the Sheikhs says: 

I said that I must create the work

And decorate it with tender ornaments.

All the book in world

I tried and found them.

I read and read

Works on arabian,bukhari,teberi and dari ,

And I found pearls in every treasure,

From time to time from every paper

I tied samples

Then ,I tided my thoughts up

And wanted to write epos.

The high value of selcuqs, that replacing arabs, to the science and culture, was the reason of formation of a new school of poetry, that was founded by Sheikh Nizami in Ganja.

Sheikh Nizami’s knowledges on all the spheres of all the sciences, known at that time, show ,that he has studied in madrasah, that belonged to the rich library, where worked well-known scientists of Ganja. Encyclopedic and perfect knowledge on all areas of science of the great poetirst of all proves, that Ganja was a center of science and culture.
The great Azerbaijani poet Sheikh Nizami had good knowledges about philosophical thoughts of such coryphaeus as Farabi, Xarezmi, Ibn Becci, Abu Ali Ibn Sina, Ibn Rusd .It shows ,that the language of science of that period - the Arabic language and philosophy were highly taught in Ganja.  Nizami's works analysis shows, that he was familiar with the ancient Greek and Indian philosophy also. Sheikh Nizami in his work "Iskendername" discusses the creation of the world from the Iskender’s language with such famous ancient scientists as Aristotle (Arastun), Fales (Valis), Platon (Aflatun), Tianlı Apollonia (Rumlu Bulunus), Socrates, Timbered Parfiri (Forforius) and with the founder of the alchemy, magic and other " magical sciences" Hermes Trismekistdir (Xormus).

It shows that there were a lot of philosophical thinkers, who had good knowledge about philosophical schools in Ganja.
In 40 s years of XII century in Ganja lived Abu Bakr ibn Khosrov al – Ustad , who was born in Ganja,had a high madrasah education and with his knowledge, literacy had gained great popularity.He was an author of such works as "Mansur and Marjan", "Sanem and Acem", "Mehr and Mushteri", "Hakiza –ya kitab-i Alfiyya and Salfiyya "," Rahat ar- Ruh"," Huzhat al-maclis".

The using Al-Ustad’s work "Munisname" in scientific society made deeper the level of ancient development of the Azerbaijan’s literature. A short introduction of  "Munisname" book is equal to the whole literary book. Abu- Bakr ibn Khosrov al-Ustad was known as knowledgeable and experienced scholar , writer, poet had knowledge on the world and shariat sciences. That why he was awarded the nickname " Ustad”(Master). 

In the scientific and cultural center of the East, in Ganja’s literary environment were raised Abu Hafs, Abul Ganji ,Abul Ula Ganjavi, Mehseti Ganjavi, Qivani Mutarrizi, Raziyya Ganjavi, Mirza Shafi Vazeh, who gave priceless pearls to the treasures of world culture.Especially in that period , presence of such kind of chess-player, composer, thinker women as Mehseti Ganjevi and Reziyye, who owned world science and philosophy again shows, that city from cultural point of view , stays on high level .

As always,in the XVI-XVII centuries, Ganja gave to humanity persons,that had improved science and culture of Azerbaijan.  Musahibi Ganjavi’s and Sheikh Ibrahim Qudsi’s names can be mentioned. We should not forget, that Sheikh Ibrahim Qudsi,that was from the great Azerbaijani poet Nizami’s family, as a well-known historian wrote a book “Tarixi – muqeddes”. 

Throughout the centuries, the students in madrasahs and in religious schools learnt the classical Eastern literature and world sciences.  The well-known poet and teacher Mirza Shafi Vazeh, who was established under cleric Sheikh Hussein Pishnamazzade in school in Shah Abbas Mosque in Ganja, was the first author of the book, prepared for school. 

The first dramatist, philosopher and thinker of Azerbaijan Mirza Fatali Akhundov got his first education at school under establishment of Sheikh Huseyn Pishnamazzade and with the advice of poet Mirza Shafi Vazeh high levely studied secular science. It should be noted that, in this school have been taught over 100 pupils. This fact shows, that here weren’t unfortune in Ganja scientific environment, limited religious and nationalism, on the contrary, there was a spirit of tolerance. 

Ganja in the first half of the XIX century Ganja also played an important role in the development of science.One of the founders Eastern philosophy in Russia was M.D.Topchubashov (1784-1869), who lived and worked in Ganja, and also got his education here.  In 1877 in part of the Iranian embassy he went to St. Petersburg,and later as professor of St. Petersburg University was one of the foundesr of the department of ancient Russian Archeological Society and headed East department until the end of life.  Among the thinkers,that lived and created in Ganja,we can named Mirza Mehdi Naci, Mullah Abdullah, Haji Abbas, Khaki and others. According to the sources, at the end of XIX – at the beginning of the XX century in Ganja have worked already libraires, mainly consisted of the textbooks. 
At the beginning of the XX century under the leadership of Muhammad Pisnamazzade new charity schools began to establishe. In these schools, well-known intellectuals of Ganja Abdullah Tofiq Sur, Mirza Muhammad Akhundov, Mirza Abbas Abbaszadeh, Idris Akhundzadeh, Ahmad Javad, Hussein Javid were teachers.  The first publishing house in Azerbaijan owned by brothers Hamidov also was created in Ganja. 

Should not forget that, great patriot intellectual Nasib bey Yusifbeyli ,who grow up in Ganja ,was one of the founders Azerbaijan Democratic Republic,that was the greatest historical achievement of our nation. On September 01, 1919 at the meeting under his initiative parliament decided to establish the Baku State University. 

After a few days of the overthrow of the monarchy Hasan bey Agayev, Rustambeyli Shafi Bey, Khalil Xasmammedli, brothers Sheyxzamanlı under the leadership of Nasib bey Yusifbeyli in history of Azerbaijan for the first time founded a new party- “Turkish Ademi merkeziyyet firgesi"that,supported Europe's cultural values . 

Hasan bey Agayev closely engaged in publicism, and in 1911 he published the newspaper "Yujnıy Kavkaz" ("South Caucasus"). This great intellectual was elected the chairman of the society , that spread education among the Muslims. His greatest service to medical science of Azerbaijan, was his foundation together with Khudadat bey Rafibeyli the medical society in Ganja.The first "Medical Society" in that, was established by Hasan bey Aqayev and Khudadat bey Rafibeyli, stimulated the development of medical science. 
Since the foundation of Azerbaijan State Agrarian University till today, lots of ten thousands of highly qualified specialists in agriculture have been trained. 

There are prominent scientists, statesmen and public figures, parliamentary deputies, heads of local and central executive power bodies among the graduates of this Academy. The Academy has educational and scientific relations with higher agricultural schools of USA, France, Germany, Iceland, Turkey, Iran, Holland, Spain and CIS countries. 

According to instructions of National Lider Heydar Aliyev in May 28 ,1981 ,with decision of Presidium of Science Academy of Azerbaijan SSSR there was established Gajna Region Science Center of National Science Academy of Azebaijan for science investigations in West region.Today tis Center is drawing into research works,trains science specialists, widden its work.

In addition, in Ganja Regional Scientific Center, which serves for new poetic translations of the works of the great Azerbaijani poet Sheikh Nizami, for investigation of the poet's literary heritage and widen the mind researchs ,"Nizami Gancavi Center" has been working. 

With the aim of  delivering investigation works in the western part to the scientific community, in Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences on exact and public sections the scientific journal “Xeberler"(“News”) and magazine "Nizamishunasliq" are published. 

In 1938 Ganja Teachers Institute started its activity during two year and after 5-year activity it became Ganja State Pedagogical Institute named H. Zardabi and could give higher education. 

Institute of Technology of Azerbijan has been created at the initiative of the Azerbaijani National Leader Heydar Aliyev, according to decisions No. 202 of the USSR Council of Ministers, dated February 22, 1979, and No. 206 of Azerbaijan SSR Council of Ministers, dated July 10, 1980, firstly in the South Caucasus, in the basis of branch of Kirovabad (now Ganja) Polytechnic Institute of Azerbaijan, named Chingiz Ildirim,and combined Baku branch of Krasnodar Polytechnic Institute, also the specialty of "wine technology"of Azerbaijan Institute of Agriculture, named S.Agamalıoglu.

On the basis of Ganja Regional Teacher Training Institute and Ganja’s College of household under Decree No. 349 of National Leader Heydar Aliyev, dated June 13, 2000, was established the branch of Azerbaijan Institute of Teachersin Ganja. 

During the Soviet times Ganja brought up such great scientists ,as Mehdi Juvarly, Chingiz Juvarly, Maksud Aliyev, Mammadali Aliyev, Ali Guliyev, Aladdin Guliyev, Hamid Arasli, Rustam Aliyev, Akbar Babayev, Gazanfar Aliyev , Qasim Qamberoglu, Qahraman Qaragashli, Mirali Gashgai, Isaac Jafarzadeh; the rector of Baku State Pedagogical University and Baku State University, worked for a long time, Mehdi Aliyev, former rector of the Azerbaijan Oil Academy, a prominent scientist in the chemical Tofik Aliyev, Nuraddin Kazimov, Asaf Hajiyev and others, who has gained great success in various spheres of science and education and played role in development of science of Azerbaijan.

The first vaccine preparing plant in Repubublic and wine-making plant, The Scientific Research Institutes of Plant Protection, of silkworm breeding, of cotton-growing , of cattle-breeding science and Agro-mechanics are working nowadays . 
Thus, the above-mentioned facts once again demonstrate that, as in all stages of history, today Ganja also has its specific role in the development of Azerbaijani science. 

There are state schools providing general education, and also non-state schools providing general education in Ganja. There are 49 state secondary schools providing general education with highly qualified teaching staff in the city, 1 special school for children with limited health, three boarding schools, 3 vocational schools, technical and the humanitarian colleges, music technical school, medical school, technical school, school of farmers and entrepreneurs, 3 vocational high schools, Turkish private school, "Araz" preparation courses for universities, foreign language and computer centers,the house of education employees are working in Ganja .

 School № 4 of the city,named Mehdi Mehdizade, with an English bias, became a member of the Association of UNESCO schools. Today, more than 1,300 professionals are working in the education sphere of Ganja. 

The history of creation of Ganja’s libraries is belonging to the beginning of the last millennium. Also there were great libraries in Ganja in the X-XI centuries. The famous Arab traveler and geographical scholar Yagut Hamavi in her work "Macatal-bulan " shows, that there was a great library ”Dar –al- kitab” under the leadership of the scientist Haddad ibn Bekran Abul-fazalan Neshevi,that had widen the scientific environment of Ganja. At the end of the XVIII century there was a popular lbrary "Sultaniyye", that was the cradle of science and culture of Ganja. At that time, there was a large library of Cavad khan in Ganja. Unlike others this library had been using free by the urban population. 

In connection with the 100th anniversary of the famous Russian poet A.S.Pushkin, there was established Nizami - Pushkin Library in Ganja. In 1934 Ganja city Education Department organized the City Central Library. Since 1976, all libraries in the city centralized around the Central Library and created Centralized Library System (CLS). 

Thus, the above-mentioned facts, once again demonstrates Ganja’s specific weight, as in all stages of history, in the development of Azerbaijani science today.

References:

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