Medieval History of Azerbaijan

general courses

Classroom

The lectures relate to Azerbaijan history of Middle ages. The lectures explain most important historical events and development of religious tendencies of ancient and medieval Azerbaijan within its boundaries of that time as well as the historical events of Azerbaijan till its division between Russian and Persian Empires.

The subject implies the study of history, religion and ideology of Azerbaijan, as a main center of the Turkic world in the Medieval Caucasus. The main attention will be paid to the historical development of Azerbaijan as a control center for the largest powers – State of Atabegs, Ilkhans, Qara Quyunlu, Aq Quyunlu, Safavids, Empire of Nadir Shah Afshar and State of Qajars. During 7 centuries territories Azerbaijan (with such cities as Ganja, Nakhichivan, Tebriz, Sultaniye, etc.) was a metropolis of the most different Turkic dynasties in the Middle and Near East. This course demonstrates the ethnic, geographical, political succession of the mentioned dynasties which historically ruled in the territory of Azerbaijan. The characteristic of these dynasties, their ethnic policy and origin as well as social-economic, political and historical development of the local population of Azerbaijan will be considered in this course in detail.

The course implies also the study of representatives of Turkic military and diplomatic notables in Azerbaijan as well as the notable and famous female (for instance, Momine khatun, Saray khatun Aqqoyunlu, Tajlu Begim, etc). The brief history of Azerbaijani-Polish relations will be considered also. The historical ties with Poland were established as earlier as from the time of the Ak Koyunlu dynasty in Azerbaijan, time when Poland confronted by the Ottomans. These relations were significantly developed under the Safavids and reached their apex especially after Azerbaijan’s accession to Russia.

One of the components of this course is the research of the emergency of the first Suffi tariqa’s in the territories of Azerbaijan. We will talk about the characteristics of these tarikha’s, the place of politics in the Suffi orders, especially, in Safaviyye and about the famous Suffi mausoleums situated in the territory of modern Azerbaijan. Most interesting points in religious aspect are - beliefs of Mongolian khans in Azerbaijan; and the role and position of Sufism and Shiism in the life of Safavid state.

 Mahmudov Y.M. Azerbaijan and Europe. London-Los Angeles, 2011;

 Mahmudov Y.M. Historical inheritance right of the people of Azerbaijan, Baku, 2017;

 The Iravan khanate. The Works of the Institute of History of ANAS, Baku, 2010;

 Azerbaijani History: from ancient times to the present day. 2010, http://www.visions.az/en/news/179/fc94314f/;

 Z.M. Buniyatov. A History of the Khorezmian State under the Anushteginids, 1097-1231. (Editors: Shahin Mustafayev, Thomas Welsford) Samarkand: IICAS, 2015;

 The Cambridge History of Iran. Vol. 6. The Timurid and Safavid Periods. (Edited by P.Jakson and l.Lokhart). Cambridge University Press, 1986;

 Fischel Walter J. Azarbaijan in Jewish History. American Academy for the Jewish Researches. V.22, 1953;

 Bosworth C. The New Islamic Dynasties: A Chronological and Genealogical Manual. Edinburg, 2004;

 Chaudhury K. Trade and Civilization: An economic history from the rise of Islam to 1750. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2003.

 Исмаилов Эльдар. Очерки по истории Азербайджана. Москва, 2011;

 Гусейн-заде Р.А., Ахундова Н.Ч. Кавказ и великие тюркские империи. Баку, 2012;

 Ахундова Н.Ф. Суфизм в Азербайджане: возвышение шейха Сефи ад-дина Ардебили в эпоху ильханата. Москва, 2018.

 Attending student has basic knowledge in the range of theory of humanities (literary studies or linguistics or history) necessary to understand chosen cultural aspects within the scope of the history of Azerbaijan [K_W04];

 has detailed and organized knowledge of history of the Republic of Azerbaijan [K_W06];

 has detailed and organized knowledge of socio-cultural issues of Azerbaijan within the scope of natural environment and ethnic, demographic and political situation of the Republic of Azerbaijan [K_W09];

 has organized knowledge of natural, geopolitical and economic environment and their importance for the historical and contemporary situation of Azerbaijan [K_W11];

 knows and understands basic analysis and interpretation methods of various products of culture characteristic of chosen theories and schools of research within the scope of the history of Azerbaijan [K_W18];

SKILLS

 Attending student can indicate sources of cultural differences between Azerbaijan and other countries [K_U02];

 Attending student can use the knowledge of history of Azerbaijan to analyze and interpret events taking place in the modern world [K_U04];

 Attending student can appropriately place Azerbaijan in the context of circumstances pertinent to natural, geopolitical and economic environment [K_U05];

 Attending student can use the knowledge of socio-cultural issues of Azerbaijan in typical professional situations [K_U09];

 Attending student has a skill in presenting detailed aspects within the scope of cultural issues of Azerbaijan in Polish and in a foreign language taking into consideration the intellectual tradition of Azerbaijan [K_U21].

 Students obtain ability to analyze historical events on their own, to find out reasons or causes of those events and comment on consequences (K_U01).

 Students obtain a certain level of self-sufficiency in conducting their own research – they are able to discuss historical events of Azerbaijan on academic level (K_U02,K_U03)

 Lectures provoke students to get relevant information from literature and other historical sources independently, also in other languages (K_U08).

 Students are able to interpret historical events of Azerbaijan and understand historical background and context (K_U07 K_U14).

SOCIAL COMPETENCES

 Student understands the need to learn all one’s life [K_K01];

 Student can set appropriate goals and ways to achieve them in the context of academic, professional and social activity [K_K04];

 Student has awareness of the cultural distinctness and its religious, philosophical, traditional and historical roots and its significance for understanding modern world [K_K05];

 Student sees the need of dialogue between cultures [K_K06];

 Student is aware of significance the culture of Azerbaijan has for the culture of the world [K_K07];

 Student acts in aid of sharing and promoting cultural and linguistic heritage of Azerbaijan [K_K08]

Students are required to read at least 4 assigned readings (primary sources as well as monographs) whose contents will be discussed during the final oral exam along with the contents of the lecture and textbooks.

Evaluation upon the content of the lecture and assigned readings (oral exam after the second semester)

Assessment methods are:

1. Students attendance

2. Written exam in a form of a test of choice at the end of the semester.