SCIENTIFIC HORIZON IN THE CONTEXT OF SOCIAL CRISES

Hashimova Aynur Gabil gızı ORCİD İD: 0000-0002-5374-7226 PhD student Baku State University, Republic of

THE HEART OF KARABAKH –

Abstract. This article is dedicated to the history of Shusha city, which has a special significance in the history of Azerbaijan. The article talks about the establishment of Shusha city and its importance in the history of Azerbaijan. This article can be useful for any reader who wants to learn the history of Shusha city. Keywords: Shusha, Karabakh, Panahali khan, Azerbaijan

Shusha is one of the rare pearls of the ancient urban culture of Azerbaijan. The Shusha city, a symbol of the historical traditions of the people to which it belongs, has a rich and glorious historical past. The land of Karabakh, where the Shusha city was built, is an integral part of Azerbaijan. The oldest inhabitants of this land - the aboriginal people - were the ancestors of the Azerbaijan people. The area where the Shusha city was built is not only one of the most beautiful parts of Karabakh, but also one of the oldest human settlements of Azerbaijan. During archeological excavations in the lower part of the Jidir plain near the city of Shusha in 1971-1975, many ancient fortifications and natural caves were discovered. At present, the Shusha cave, located near the city of Shusha, on the left bank of the Dashalti River, at an altitude of 1,500 meters above sea level, is 125 meters long, 20 meters wide and 10 meters high. Archaeological finds that discovered from this cave prove that this area was the living place of ancient people until the end of the Stone Age. [1, p.14]. Karabakh is a beautiful land that reflects all the beauties of nature. The most beautiful corner of Karabakh is the Shusha city. The Shusha city was founded by Panahali khan Javanshir, the khan of Karabakh. After becoming the khan of Karabakh in 1747, Panahali khan decided to build a strong fortress to protect Karabakh from the enemy's attack. According to historical sources, the construction

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SCIENTIFIC COLLECTION «INTERCONF» | № 41 of the fortress on a high, steep mountain began in 1750 and was completed in 1756- 1757. Karabakh khan Panahali khan declared Shusha as the capital, strengthened it and turned it into a fortress-city. The city was named "Panahabad" in honor of Panahali khan for a while, and later "Shusha fortress" and "Shusha". Beginning in the second half of the , the population of the increased rapidly and Shusha became one of the most important and strategically important cities in Azerbaijan. During the reign of Panahali khan great construction works were carried out in the city, and during the reign of Ibrahimkhalil khan (1763-1806) the became even stronger. In the second half of the 18th century, Shusha, a city of historical, cultural and strategic importance in Azerbaijan, entered the world market with its carpets, silk, cloth and porcelain, and thus gained great fame. In the 80s of the XVIII century, magnificent castle walls were built around the city. During this period, the city had a large number of artisan neighborhoods, and trade was developing faster [2]. Occupied by Armenian military units on May 8, 1992, Shusha, with an area of 289 square kilometers, had a population of about 25,000 at that time. On the night of May 8, Armenian armed forces conducted an operation to occupy the Shusha city. Intensive artillery shelling lasted until 6 am, after which about 1,000 enemy soldiers attacked Shusha from three sides. As a result of the occupation of Shusha, 480 innocent civilians were killed, 600 were injured and 22,000 were displaced. The fate of 68 captured compatriots is still unknown. As a result of the occupation, a number of historical and cultural monuments in Shusha were looted by the enemy. The list includes a total of 279 religious, historical and cultural monuments, including the Khan and Gakhal caves and the Shusha fortress. Armenians have destroyed or Armenianized many Azerbaijan monuments. They destroyed 7 preschools, 22 secondary schools, cultural and educational, agricultural colleges, 8 culture houses, 14 clubs, 20 libraries, 2 cinemas, 3 museums, and an oriental musical instrument factory in Shusha [3]. After 28 years of longing, on November 8, 2020, the Shusha city was liberated from Armenian occupation by Azerbaijan army. On November 8, President, Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev addressed to the Azerbaijan people in 657

SCIENTIFIC HORIZON IN THE CONTEXT OF SOCIAL CRISES the Martyrs Alley in the capital. He noted the following in the appeal: “Dear compatriots, dear sisters and brothers! I declare with great pride that the Shusha city has been liberated from occupation! Shusha is ours! Garabagh is ours! I heartily congratulate all the people of Azerbaijan on this occasion. I heartily congratulate all the people of Shusha”. Shusha, which had been under occupation for twenty-eight and a half years, was liberated! Shusha is free now! We have returned to Shusha! We won this historic victory on the battlefield. November 8, 2020 will forever remain in the history of Azerbaijan. This history will live forever. This is the day of our glorious victory! Dear sisters and brothers, today I give this good news to my native people here in the Martyrs Alley. This is not accidental. This is natural. Today, I bow once again to the souls of our martyrs. Today I declare that the blood of our martyrs does not remain on the ground. The blood of the victims of Armenian atrocities, the victims of Khojaly does not remain on the ground. Giving this good news to the people of Azerbaijan on this historic day is perhaps one of the happiest days of my life. Dear Shusha, you are free! Dear Shusha, we are back! Dear Shusha, we will revive you! Shusha is ours! Garabagh is ours! Karabakh is Azerbaijan! [4]. Two days after this appeal, on November 10, 2020, President Ilham Aliyev addressed the people again. In this appeal, he declared the complete liberation of Karabakh from Armenian occupation. These words in the President's address filled the hearts of all the Azerbaijan people with pride: “This war has shown the whole world how great the Azerbaijani people are - an invincible people, an iron-willed people, a victorious people, our victorious army! We are proud of our people and our army! I am sure that every citizen of Azerbaijan believes that these days, these moments are the happiest days in his life. I am also happy to give this good news to the Azerbaijan people. I am happy to have signed this historic document. I am happy that we are returning to our homeland, our native Karabakh, to Shusha, the crown of our Karabakh, and we will live in these lands forever! Today we can say with great pride that Fuzuli is ours, Jabrayil is ours, Zangilan is ours, Gubadli is ours, Aghdam is ours, Lachin is ours, Kalbajar is ours, Shusha is ours, Karabakh is ours, Karabakh is Azerbaijan! 658

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As a result, we can say that Shusha is one of the unique cultural centers of Azerbaijan. Distinguished by its natural beauty, this city is a valuable monument of our national architecture and medieval urban art. Shusha, which has always kept alive our national and spiritual values, and musical traditions, has come a long way to becoming an important economic, political and cultural significance city, and has played a unique role in the life of our people as the center of the Karabakh khanate. The period of Armenian occupation was tragic for Shusha. The heroic liberation of Shusha by the Azerbaijan army is a significant event for Azerbaijan people. The leadership of country is successfully continuing construction work in Shusha, which is considered the cradle of Azerbaijani culture.

References: 1. Mahmudov Y; Mustafayev C., Şuşa-Pənahabad, Təhsil, Bakı-2005, 152 p. 2. Rəsmi xronika http://xalqqazeti.com/mobile/az/news/47199 3. https://www.trt.net.tr/azerbaycan/turk-dunyasi/2020/05/08/8-may-qarabagin-ur-yi-susanin- isgali-gunudur-266416 4. On November 8, President, Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev addressed to the Azerbaijan people in the Martyrs Alley in the capital https://novator.az/2020/11/08/xalqa- muraci%C9%99t-8-noyabr-2020-ci-il/ 5. Azərbaycan Respublikasının Prezidenti İlham Əliyev https://president.az/articles/45924

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