The residence of Nakhchivan khanates– Khan palace

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Published on Friday, 08 June 2018 15:23

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Nakhchivan, one of the ancient cultural centers of the Near East, is rich in centuries-old historical monuments, examples reflecting the great power and history of our people.

Taking into account its special position in the history of national statehood of Azerbaijan, this ancient cultural pearl began to operate as “Khan Palace” State Historical-Architectural Museum on the basis of the Decree of the Chairman of the Supreme Majlis of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic Mr. Vasif Talibov dated October 23, 2010. During the visit this cultural institution we talked Nazakat Asadova, the director of the museum, the Honored culture worker of the Republic of Azerbaijan. We were informed that Nakhchivan khanate which founded by Heydargulu khan in 1747 occupied a significant place in the history of our national statehood. The Turkmenchay treaty signed on the basis of the results of Russia-Iran war on February 10, 1828, the existence of Nakhchivan khanate was abolished as other khanates of Northern Azerbaijan. The same year, Nakhchivan and Erivan khanates were abolished and joined Russia on March 21. According to Nazakat khanim, later, headquarters of Kangarli cavalry housed in the palace. In 1918-1920 the headquarters of Nakhchivan National Defense Council moved here. Although the Khan palace has been in a state of disrepair at various times, it has been preserved to this day, the interior and facade of the building were decorated with national ornaments, the yard was renovated and modern lighting system was installed.

This residence was built by Kalbali khan Kangarli, father of Ehsan khan, in 1760. The monument built in the eastern style, besides being the house of Nakhchivan khans from the middle of XVIII to the beginning of XX century, as well as functioned as the political residence of state in khanate period. The palace belonging to Nakhchivan-Maragha architectural school consists of three floors and operates as a museum now. This historical-cultural monument is situated at Ancient Gala neighborhood, near the Momina Khatin tomb. The building which started to function as Nakhchivan State Carpet Museum in 1998, began to operate as “Khan Palace” State Historical-Architectural Museum in 2010. The museum has 9 exhibition halls. There are nearly 2000 exhibits of which 236 of them are exhibited in the museum. Archive documents, photos, the family tree of Nakhchivan khanate, map of khanates are among the exhibits. There are work rooms, a fund, a farm room and other auxiliary areas on the first floor, there are 8 exhibition halls on the second floor and 1 exhibition-exposition hall on the third floor.

At entrance hall of the museum, the text of the Decree of the Chairman of the Supreme Majlis of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic dated October 23, 2010 on the establishment of “Khan Palace” State Historical-Architectural Museum, the map of Nakhchivan khanate and 2 unique exhibits, a decorative tile plate made from blue glazed pottery and a decorative copper candlestick are demonstrated. 

40 exhibits are displayed through 5 glass showcases and 16 niches in the second hall where the sources are mainly preserved. The written annotation about the Nakhchivan khanate, color photos of the coat of arms of the Kangarli family and the honorary flag of the Kangarli cavalry unit, a schematic chart reflecting the generation of Nakhchivan khans and the sultan's branch, the scheme of Abbasabad Castle playing a key role in the protection of khanate and the map of the property of Kangarli beys in Garachug village of Nakhchivan confirmed by the seal of Nicholas II in 1889, photographs of the famous generals Kalbali Khan II, Huseyn Khan, Jamshid Khan Nakhchivanskis and copies of archival documents about them, photos and information about Bayram Khan and Jafargulu Khan, two of the leaders of Araz-Turk Republic and other prominent men of the Khan family, such as Karim Sultan, Ashraf Agha Kangarli, Khagan Khan, Kamran Khan and Rahim Khan Nakhchivanskis, Nicholas Nakhchivanski - the son of Huseyn Khan are being displayed in the hall.

There are also important books on the history of the Nakhchivan khanate and Kangarli family, including the "Azerbaijan Democratic Republic and Nakhchivan" published by the order of the Chairman of the Supreme Majlis of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, historian-scientist Musa Guliyev's "Military-political position and relations of the Nakhchivan khanate in the Caucasus", Fuad and Mirabdulla Aliyevs' "Nakhchivan khanate", Ilgar Kangarli's "The book of Kangarli family", Farhad Naghdaliyev's "Nakhchivan khanate in the Russian Empire" (in Russian), well-known scientist R.N. Ivanov "The general-adjutant of the Majesty" and "Realities about Murad Khan" scientific research books.

50 exhibits in the third hall of the museum are protected by 8 showcases and 22 niches. Exhibits in the hall consist of written information, archival documents and rare photographs related to famous Kangarli generals Ehsan Khan, Kalbali Khan I, Kalbali khan II, Ismayil Khan, cavalry generals Huseyn Khan Nakhchivanskis, Major General Jamshid Khan Nakhchivanski. Exhibits related to General Magsud Alikhanov, Amirsuvar bey Kangarli, Ashraf Agha Kangarli, Akbar Khan Nakhchivanski, as well as photos and written information about well-known women representatives of Kangarli family, such as Heyran khanum, Khurshid Gajar, Gonchabayim, Khanbika khanum, Zarrintaj beyim are exhibited in the hall.

Among the sources displayed in the hall, Rudolf Ivanov's "On Behalf of the Soviet Union", "Kalbali Khan Nakhchivanski: His period and heritage" scientific-research books are of particular interest.

Exhibits in other halls of the museum are also remarkable. Jewelries, unique copper and decorative-applied art samples, paintings exhibited especially in the mirrored hall made a good impression on the visitors of the museum. The works of the first realistic artist of Azerbaijan Bahruz Kangarli, Shamil Gaziyev, Rafail Gadimov and other artists attract attention.

Nazakat Asadova also said that the enrichment of "Khan Palace" State Historical-Architectural Museum with new interesting exhibits, as well as archival documents is in the focus of attention. Copies of documents that can be obtained from the archives of states which were in contact with the Khanate at that time including Russia are being included into the museum fund.

Guljamal TAHIROVA

"Sharg Gapisi" Newspaper

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