Hasan Ali Khan Garadaghi, the encyclopedic intellectual of Karabakh

Abstract

Hasan Ali khan Garadaghi, originally from Shusha, is recognized as one of the encyclopedic figures of the 19th-century intellectual milieu of Karabakh. He was highly active in various fields, including Azerbaijani enlightenment, philology, historiography, and literary-cultural life. This article analyzes the life of Hasan Ali khan Garadaghi, his pedagogical and literary activities, his work in translation, and his historical work "Karabaghname" related to the history of Azerbaijan. The pedagogical poems included in the author's "Native Language" textbook and his translations of Russian classics hold special significance in the context of enlightenment. Additionally, the "Karabaghname" is presented as an important source on the geography, toponyms, and political history of the Karabakh Khanate. The work includes crucial information on the activities of Pənahali Khan and his successors, urban development and fortress construction in Karabakh, as well as the origins of several place names. Hasan Ali khan also contributed to folklore studies and calligraphy, making valuable notes on the creative work of Sarı Ashıgh and folk literature. The study highlights the importance of Qaradagh’s multifaceted scientific and literary legacy in the contemporary academic context.