by Turan Gafarlı, M.A.
The massacre of Azerbaijani Turks and Muslims in Baku on March 31, 1918 is a tragic event that to this day remains etched in the memory of Azerbaijanis. In the aftermath of the Russian Revolution, ethnic tensions in the region boiled over, resulting in a brutal attack on Azerbaijani Turks and Muslims. This event, known as the Baku massacre, remains a defining moment in Azerbaijani identity and serves as a reminder of the importance of unity and tolerance.
The Baku massacre was not an isolated event; it occurred during a period of great turmoil and upheaval in the region. The Russian Empire, which had controlled Azerbaijan for centuries, was in the midst of a revolution, and the Bolsheviks had recently taken power. At the time, there was a rising sense of nationalism among the various ethnic groups in the empire. The Azerbaijani Turks were no exception, and they began to assert their identity and demand autonomy within the empire. This political upheaval was accompanied by ethnic tensions, as Armenians and Azerbaijanis jostled for control of the South Caucasus.
The situation came to a head in early 1918, when Bolshevik forces seized control of Baku, a booming oil-rich coastal city. This triggered a wave of violence against Azerbaijani Turks and Muslims in Baku and nearby provinces, who were accused of posing a threat to the Bolshevik cause. The brutal events began with Bolshevik and Armenian provocations against the former “Savage Division” of Tsarist Russia, which was made up of Muslims who had returned to Azerbaijan from Iran. During the attacks on the civilian population, Armenian paramilitaries and other groups joined in the violence, which quickly spiralled out of control.
Over the next few days, Azerbaijani Turks and Muslims were targeted in a series of brutal attacks. Homes and businesses were looted and burned, and many people were subjected to rape, torture, and murder. Estimates of the number of people killed vary widely, but it is believed that several thousand Azerbaijani Turks lost their lives in the massacre, which was not limited to Baku but took place in other parts of the region as well. The attack was indiscriminate, and thousands of innocent civilians were killed in the streets.
The events of 31 March, 1918 were a tragic turning point for Azerbaijani Turks and their identity. The massacre not only resulted in the loss of many lives but also had a profound impact on the cultural and social fabric of the community. Many families were displaced or forced to flee, and the trauma of the violence was felt for generations to come. It was a strong reminder that Azerbaijani Turks were a minority within the dissolving empire and that their identity and culture were under threat by their century-long neighbors. The event also served as a rallying cry for Azerbaijani nationalism, and it galvanized the community to fight for their rights, especially standing beside the Ottoman Army which had come to the Caucasus to support the Azerbaijani cause.
In the aftermath of the massacre, the Azerbaijani Turks established the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, the first secular democracy in the Muslim world. The republic was short-lived, but it served as an important symbol of Azerbaijani identity and sovereignty. It also created a modern understanding of the borders of Azerbaijan, which was crucial to the transformation of the masses into a nation. In this defining moment of nation-building, Baku also became the capital and a source of national pride, and was recaptured by Ottoman-Azerbaijani forces in September of that year.
The massacre also had a lasting impact on the way that Azerbaijani Turks view themselves and their place in the world. It reinforced the idea that they are a distinct ethnic group with a unique culture and history, and also highlighted the need for self-determination and autonomy within the larger political context. In the aftermath of the massacre, Azerbaijanis were forced to confront the reality of their situation. They were a minority in a region that was increasingly dominated by Armenians, and they lacked the political and economic power to resist this trend. The massacre was a wake-up call, and Azerbaijanis began to organize politically, seeking to assert their rights and defend their identity.
Today, Azerbaijan is an independent country and the Azerbaijani Turks have established a strong sense of national identity. The events of March 31, 1918, are still commemorated every year as a reminder of the sacrifices that were made for the sake of Azerbaijani identity and independence.
In recent years, there has been renewed interest in the events of 1918, both within Azerbaijan and in the international community. In 2018, the centenary of the massacre was marked with events and commemorations throughout the country.
The events of 1918 are a painful reminder of the challenges that minority groups face in asserting their identity and securing their rights. They also serve as a warning of the dangers of nationalism and the need for tolerance and understanding between different ethnic groups.
In conclusion, the massacre of Azerbaijani Turks and Muslims in Baku on March 31, 1918, was a tragic event that had a profound impact on the identity of Azerbaijani Turks. It reinforced the need for self-determination and autonomy within the larger political context and galvanized the community to fight for their rights. Today, the events of 1918 are commemorated as a reminder of the sacrifices that were made for the sake of Azerbaijani identity and independence. It is important to remember these events and to work towards a future of tolerance and understanding between different ethnic groups.