History sometimes condenses great revolutions and awakenings, which sometimes take centuries to unfold, into small periods of time. As the storm of the First World War raged in the heart of the Caucasus, not only was a new state being established, but the fate of the Eastern and Islamic world was being rewritten. The torch of independence lit by Mehmet Emin Resulzade and his companions in Tbilisi was the Azerbaijan People's Republic (AHR) that proudly waves today.
In retrospect, this story is not just a military or political achievement; it is a civilizational design sprouting out of impossibilities.
Hürriyet Rising from the Rubble of Empire
The collapse of Tsarist Russia with the Bolshevik revolution in 1917 created an atmosphere of chaos in the Caucasus. The peoples of the region had to fend for themselves. With the rupture of the short-lived Transcaucasian connection, the National Council of Azerbaijan assumed a historic responsibility and adopted the 6-point Declaration of Independence and shouted out to the world: We are free, we are independent!
But proclaiming freedom was not enough to claim it. Baku, the heart of the new government, was under the occupation of Bolshevik and Dashnak gangs. The interim cabinet led by Fatali Khan Khoyski had to carry out its work in Ganja. In those dark days, Nuri Pasha commanded Caucasian Islamic Army rushed to help. With the epic struggle of Turkish and Azerbaijani soldiers shoulder to shoulder, on September 15, 1918, Baku was liberated and placed in a prime position where it belonged.
A Government Far Ahead of Its Time
The AHC not only became the first secular and democratic administration in the East, but also gave a lesson in human rights to the European states that were considered the cradle of civilization at the time.
Many forward-thinking rights and freedoms were already in force on the streets of Baku a century ago. We are talking about a vision that granted women the right to vote and be elected long before countries like France, Italy and Switzerland. The declaration of the native language as the state language, the establishment of Baku State University, the formation of a unique army... All of these were proofs of the birth of a nation from the ashes and the will to institutionalize.
Eternal Echo of 23 Months of Legacy
Unfortunately, this dream was cut short by the invasion of Bolshevik Russia on April 27, 1920, which smelled oil and whetted imperialist appetites. The investments made and the hopes that had blossomed were crushed under the pallets of tanks while they were still fresh saplings.
However, history has shown us that structures on paper can be demolished, but the idea of freedom engraved in the hearts of a people can never be destroyed. The tricolor flag that was lowered in 1920 continued to fly in minds and hearts.
Indeed, when the Soviet shackles were broken in 1991, the Phoenix hiding in the sky of the Caucasus was once again reborn from its ashes in Azerbaijan, the land of wood. Modern Azerbaijan stood up and declared itself the sole inheritor of this glorious past.
“The national cause of Azerbaijan, which set out with the motto ”Freedom for people, independence for nations", was the result of Resulzade's famous and timeless words, namely “Once raised, the flag will never fall again!” is the embodied steel expression of the ideal.
O glorious homeland of the heroic son, may your republic live forever!
And greetings to those great souls who left behind a free homeland for the sake of independence and freedom, and completed their lives in the sad bosom of expatriation, in foreign hands... With gratitude, respect and endless mercy.