HISTORICAL PEOPLE
Samed bey Mehmandarov
One of the most prominent Azeri commanders general Samed bey was born in Shusha in the noble Mehmandarov’s family. He dreamed of being a military serviceman since childhood, therefore he entered the Petersburg military artillery school and graduated from it in 1875 as an ensign. In 1904, when Russo – Japan war began, Mehmandarov distinguished himself particularly during the defense of Port – Arthur ( China ) For his outstanding deserts during the 11 – months long heroically defense of Port – Arthur, Mehmandarov was rewarded the «Saint George» order, a special golden sward and was promoted to the general major rank. After Russo – Japan war Mehmandarov commanded the 3rd Siberian Army Corps and was promoted to the general – lieutenant rank in 1908.
After the February Revolution in Russia Mehmandarov resigned and left for Baku. With the establishment of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic in 1918, Samedbey Mehmandarov became the third and last Minister of Defense of Azerbaijan. He held this position until 11th Red Army troops invaded Azerbaijan in 1920. After the fall of the national government and establishment of Soviet rule in Azerbaijan Mehmandarov was arrested, but he was released two months later. He taught in military schools and was an advisor to the Commissariat of Military and Naval Forces of the Azerbaijan SSR until his retirement in 1928. Samad bey Mehmandarov died on February 12, 1931, in Baku.
Khurshidbanu Natavan
Khurshidbanu Natavan was an Azerbaijani poet and philanthropist. She is considered one of the best lyrical poets of Azerbaijan. Her poems are in either Azerbaijani or Persian and she was most notable for her lyrical ghazals. Natavan was the daughter of Mehdigulu Khan, the last ruler of the Karabakh Khanate (1748–1822).
After her father's death, she inherited vast amounts of land from her father including 1,315 households, 41 nomadic territories and seven villages, aged 14. She was put in the care of her aunt Gawhar agha who taught her music, poetry and painting. She probably married Kumyk noble Khasay Utsmiev in 1847. She inherited an additional nine villages from her mother Badir Jahan Begüm in 1861 after her death. She founded and sponsored the first literary societies in Shusha and in the whole of Azerbaijan. One of them called Majlis-i Uns ("Society of Friends") founded in 1864 became especially popular and concentrated major poetic-intellectual forces of Karabakh of that time.
Natavan was closely engaged in philanthropy, promoting the social and cultural development of Karabakh. Among her famous deeds was a water main that was first laid down in Shusha in 1872, thus solving the water problem of the townsfolk. The local Russian "Kavkaz" newspaper wrote at the time: "Khurshud Banu-Begum left an eternal mark in the memories of the Shushavians and her glory will pass on from generation to generation". The aqueduct built by Natavan from famous Shusha white stones were called by the townsfolks "Natavan springs" and were also considered historical monuments under protection.
Natavan also did a lot for the development and popularization of the famous breed of Karabakh horses.[citation needed] Natavan's Karabakh horses took part in the Exposition Universelle (1867), agricultural exhibition in Moscow (1869), in Tbilisi (1882) and were awarded golden medals and certificates of honour. Karabakh horses were also awarded at the Second All-Russian Exhibition in 1869: Meymun - silver medal, Tokmak - bronze medal. At the Exposition Universelle (1867) in Paris, Khan got a silver medal.
Humanism, kindness, friendship and love were the main themes of Natavan's ghazals and ruba'yat. These sentimental romantic poems express the feelings and sufferings of a woman who was not happy in her family life and who lost her son. Many of these poems are used in folk songs nowadays.
Abulfat Asad oghlu Aliyev
Abulfat Asad oghlu Aliyev was an Azerbaijani opera and mugham singer, People's Artist of the Azerbaijan SSR. Abulfat Aliyev was born on December 30, 1926, in Shusha. After his father's death Aliyev's family moved from Shusha to Fuzuli where they lived for four years. Then his family moved to Aghdam and he continued his education at city school. For the first time he sang the song "Shushanin Daghlari" on the radio. At that time 19-year-old Abulfat moved to Baku.
From 1945 he became a soloist of Azerbaijan State Academic Philharmonic Hall. The repertoire of the singer included more than 400 folk and composer songs such as "Dina bilmadim", "Bu gala, dashli qala", "Ay Pari", "Endim bulag bashina", "Bulbullar gazar baghi", "Tel nazik", "Sachlari burma", "Gel-gel", "Xal yanaghinda", "Gara gozlum".
In 1956 he appeared on the stage of Opera and Ballet Theater for the first time. Aliyev worked there until 1962. The singer, who took part in the International Music Congress in Moscow in 1971, was awarded a UNESCO badge and diploma for high performance, and his performance was broadcast on All-Union Radio.
