Nasib Nasibli states, “In the North, it is necessary to rid Azerbaijani historiography of the Soviet-era burdens... In the South, however, historical consciousness should move beyond solving the identity problem and focus on learning lessons from history.”
In an interview with Voice of America, the historian explains that his recently published 700-page book, History of Azerbaijan, written in Turkey, was developed based on this perspective.
Mr. Nasibli discusses the content of his book History of Azerbaijan: Nation, State, and Politics, published by Altınordu Publications, and elaborates on the historiographical methods he used in its preparation.
"The Concept of History Should Change in Independent Azerbaijan"
“The dominance of a geography-based historical concept during the Soviet era is understandable. It was a necessity arising from the divide-and-rule policy of the Soviets. One of the major flaws or deficiencies of Soviet-era Azerbaijani historiography was precisely this. I believe we need to break away from it. In independent Azerbaijan, the concept must change. That is why we say that the history of the nation is more important,” says Nasib Nasibli.
Answering ‘Why It Happened’ Instead of ‘How It Happened’
The professor at Ankara University emphasizes that his latest book is a “historical-political study”:
“This work is based on a different methodology from classical historiography. Traditional historiography primarily seeks to answer the question ‘How did it happen?’—a somewhat descriptive and chronicler-like approach. However, for modern historiography, the more interesting question is ‘Why did it happen?’ Our work is a historical-political analysis.”
He adds, “Using this method, I aimed to answer pressing questions that concern our conscious, modern-thinking, and inquisitive compatriots. These questions include: Who are we? Where did we come from, and where are we going? Why are we in this current situation? What are the common and differing aspects between the two parts of contemporary Azerbaijan?”
Soviet Azerbaijan – A Model of Independence Within the Union or Just Another Colony?
According to the historian, the book also explores questions regarding the processes of nation-building and state formation in the Republic of Azerbaijan:
“What happened in the fields of nation-building and state formation in Soviet Azerbaijan? A more specific question: Was the Soviet period a model of independence within the union, or was it merely a colony, differing in form but not in substance, from the times of Tsarist Russia?”
Nasibli challenges the theories proposing the existence of an “Albanian people” or an “Atropatenian people” in connection with Azerbaijan’s ancient history, arguing that these perspectives are flawed. He addresses these issues in the book, asking:
“Why do we consider Azerbaijani history—or the history of Azerbaijani Turks—to be a part of general Turkic history? Why is this a more accurate approach?”
Historical Awareness in Southern Azerbaijan
Nasib Nasibli emphasizes the importance of learning from past mistakes in the various phases of the national movement in Iranian Azerbaijan.
“In Southern Azerbaijan, historical awareness should go beyond merely addressing identity issues and should focus on learning lessons from at least the last century of painful Turkish history,” he writes in his book.
He elaborates further in his interview with Voice of America:
“It is true that history must also answer the question ‘Who are we?’ This is a very important mission. Especially for nations undergoing the process of nation-building, history must instill a sense of pride. However, I believe we need to move beyond this stage as well. Serious historiography should not descend to the level of fairy tales like Malik-Mammad.”
According to him, “We must transition from comforting thoughts to challenging ideas. For example, instead of always portraying ourselves as victorious in wars, or if defeated, blaming it on secondary or tertiary reasons, treachery, or other excuses, we must seek deeper explanations.”
Fighting for the Integrity of Iran
Emphasizing that the greatest mission of history is to learn from past mistakes, Nasibli states:
“For example, in Southern Azerbaijan, the national movement has made significant mistakes over the past century. If we continue to see only the enemy in front of us and fail to recognize our own weaknesses, we will never learn from history.”
The book discusses the period of "political sacrifice and national negligence" in Iranian Azerbaijan, as well as the idea that the Constitutional Revolution was a “wasted effort.”
Nasib Nasibli believes that during these periods, the national movement and its devoted members fought more for the integrity of Qajar Iran rather than for their own national aspirations.
Different Paths of the National Movement in the North and South
According to the historian, the national movement in Northern Azerbaijan followed a different path compared to that of Southern Azerbaijan:
“In the early 20th century, if the national movement and its intellectual and devoted members in the South were fighting for the integrity of Qajar Iran, the national movement in the North had no such concern.”
He emphasizes that the conditions on the northern and southern banks of the Araz River were completely different at the time.
The Period When Iranian Turks Became a Subjugated Nation
“Northern Azerbaijan was searching for its path within the Russian Empire, which was Christian and fundamentally different. It was fully aware that it was living under a foreign regime. But Southern Azerbaijan was still living in an illusion, a fantasy. It had not yet realized its oppressed status—because it was not yet an oppressed nation,” says Nasibli.
The historian asserts that the direction of the national movement in Iranian Azerbaijan gradually changed once Iranian Turks began to experience subjugation.
“Southern Azerbaijan had not yet broken away from the Persian cultural orbit. Or rather, the educated and intellectual class in Southern Azerbaijan had not yet broken away. When did this break occur? It happened when Iranian Turks became a subjugated nation and were reduced to a secondary status,” he concludes.
Link to the original interview in Turkish on the Azerbaijani section of Voice of America:
“Azərbaycanda coğrafiya əsaslı tarix anlayışından, millət əsaslı tarix anlayışına keçilməlidir”