THE LITERARYMANIFESTATION OF THE AZERBAIJANI STATEHOOD TRADITION IN HISTORICAL NOVELS (1960–1980s)

Abstract

The article examines the literary representation of the history of statehood in Azerbaijani prose in the 1960s-1980s. Historical novels written during this period played an important role in the formation of national consciousness by reflecting the social and political processes of Azerbaijani history from ancient times to the early twentieth century. In particular, the Safavid state, as well as the life and activities of its founder Shah Ismail Khatai attracts attention as one of the main themes addressed in historical novels. The study analyzes the literary forms of expressing the idea of Azerbaijani statehood based on the novels “Qizilbashlar” by Alisa Nijat, “Baku–1501” by Aziza Jafarzadeh, and “Khudafarin Bridge” and “The Battle of Chaldiran” by Farman Karimzadeh. In these works, the Qizilbash movement, the glorious military path of Shah Ismail and the formation of the Safavid state are vividly
depicted with realistic colors against the background of historical events. It is shown that despite Soviet ideological restrictions, the writers made a significant contribution to the spread of the idea of Azerbaijanism in public consciousness by literally depicting the traditions of national statehood based on historical facts.