Eminent Socio-Political and Statesman of Azerbaijan Hasan bey Aghayev
Hasan bey Meshadi Huseyn oglu Aghayev was born in Ganja, in 1875. A secondary education he got in a classical gymnasium of Ganja. Due to the patronage of Haji Zeynalabdin Taghiyev he entered the Moscow University, on medical faculty and graduated from the university with honors in 1901. At the same time with his medical activity Hasan bey published some articles in newspapers and magazines.
On a commission from the organization “Hummet” his brochure "social estate, a class, a social stratum" was published in “Geyret” printing house of Jahleel Mammadguluzade, in Tbilisi (1906). Because of the edition of this brochure Aghayev was persecuted, he was forced to move to Iran and to live there some time.
After homecoming he became the editor of the “South Caucasus” newspaper which was issued in Ganja in the Russian language. He also led the society, which was devoted to the public education among Muslims. At the end of 1914 together with Hudadat bey Rafibeyli he created the first medical society in Ganja.
As well as in lives of other eminent political persons of Azerbaijan, February revolution of 1917 played a crucial role in Aghayev's subsequent life and activity.
Under already new conditions Hasan bey became one of the founders of the “Turkic Party of Federalists” (Türk Ədəmi-Mərkəziyyət Partiyası). Hasan bey Aghayev participated in the congress of the Caucasian Muslims which was held in Baku.
The “Turkic Party of Federalists”, directed by Nasib bey Yusifbeyli amalgamated with the “Musavat” party of Mammad Amin Rasulzade in a new party named the "Turkic Party Federalists-Musavat", in June, 1917.
At Musavat's first congress on October 26-31, 1917 Hasan bey was elected the member of the central committee of party, and later, in the end of the year - the representative in the All-Russian constituent assembly.
Due to the October revolution the All-Russian Constituent Assembly didn't take place; his representatives, having gathered on February 10, 1918 in Tbilisi, formed the Transcaucasian Seim – the superior body of the power in the South Caucasus. On April 22nd they declared the sovereignty of the South Caucasus and created the power of the Transcaucasian Democratic Federal Republic. Being the member of the Muslim fraction in the Transcaucasian Seim, Hasan bey participated in all actions very actively.
But the Transcaucasian Seim and the power were unable to accord with people's national interests who lived in this territory, result of what it was dismissed on May 25, 1918.
On May 27 the Muslim fraction of the Transcaucasian Seim declared itself The National Council of Azerbaijan and elected the Council Presidium. Hasan bey Aghayev was elected the vice-chairman of the Council.
Hasan bey Aghayev was the first one, who signed the Act of Independence of Azerbaijan on May 28, 1918, in Tbilisi at the solemn meeting which has been carried out under the chairmanship of Hasan bey Aghayev in the former palace of the deputy in the Caucasus.
On June 16, 1918 the National Council and the Power of Azerbaijan were transferred to Ganja.
At the first meeting which has been carried out here on June 17, due to the current situation the National Council temporarily suspended its activity and hand over the administration of all power to the new Government. At that period Hasan bey Aghayev worked at a position of the chief physician of the Railway Administration of Azerbaijan till the solemn opening of the Parliament of Azerbaijan on December 7, 1918.
Hasan bey Aghayev was elected the first vice-chairman of the Parliament of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic at its first official meeting. To a position of the chairman of the Parliament was appointed Alimardan bey Topchubashov, but because of his absence in Baku, Hasan bey Aghayev placed himself at the head of the parliament.
In December, 1919 Aghayev was re-elected on a position of the vice-chairman of the Parliament and was at the head of it till February 2, 1920.
After April occupation (1920) Hasan bey emigrated to Tbilisi where he was killed by the hired Armenian terrorist on July 19. He was buried in a Muslim cemetery in Tbilisi.
Recommended literature:
- Əmrahov, Ziyad Cümşüd oğlu. Azərbaycan Parlamentarizmi tarixi - 100 / Z. C. Əmrahov; elmi red. A. İsgəndərli; AMEA A.A. Bakıxanov adına Tarix İnstitutu.- Bakı: Elm və təhsil, 2018.- 268 s.
- Paşayev, Ataxan Əvəz oğlu. Cümhuriyyət parlamentinə gedən yol / A. Ə. Paşayev.- Bakı: Adiloğlu, 2005.- 88 s.
- Tahirzadə, Ədalət Şərif oğlu. Həsən bəy Ağayev : (1875-1920) : (Qısa yaşam öygüsü) /Ə. Ş. Tahirzadə ; naşir Y. İlhamoğlu ; dizayner X. Danyal. - Bakı: Çapar, 2022. - 126 s.