The Role of Alimardan Bey Topchubashov in the Formation of National Consciousness in Azerbaijan
Rafail Ahmadli
Abstract. The article examines the socio-political processes taking place in Tsarist Russia at the beginning of the 20th century and the place and role of Alimardan bey Topchubashov in the national self-awareness and national liberation movement that grew as a result of these processes. His struggle for the interests of not only the Azerbaijani people but also the Turks living in Russia is examined in his activities. At the same time, the work highlights the fact that A. Topchubashov was a member and chairman of the Baku Duma in these years, that he was one of the founders of the political organization of Muslims living in Russia - the political party called "Ittifagi Muslimin", that he prepared the party's program and that the issue of autonomy was raised in this program for the first time, and that the thinker's activity in the direction of the development of national consciousness is emphasized. The great thinker's efforts to improve laws throughout Tsarist Russia and resolve the socio-cultural rights of Muslim Turks living in Russia. And also ensure that Muslims have the same rights as the Russian people, and to give them political, cultural, and religious freedoms. Putting forward theoretical propositions, but rather to calling on progressive Muslim intellectuals to unite around these goals and eliminate all restrictions through legal means, and to strive to achieve this was examined.
Keywords: Azerbaijan, Russia, National consciousness, All-Russia, Muslim Congresses, Republic, Duma, law