Legendary Army General Mehmandarov turns 160

/By AzerNews/

By Amina Nazarli

President Ilham Aliyev issued an order to marking today the 160th anniversary of General Samad bey Mehmandarov, the first Defense Minister of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic.

Samad bey Mehmandarov was the first army general of Azerbaijan, who completed his initial military service in tsarist Russia.

Mehmandarov was born to a noble family from Karabakh, an ancient Azerbaijani land. After graduating from the Baku lyceum he decided to enter and complete military service in the Imperial Army, which was an uneasy task for that period.

His military skills were good enough to earn distinction in the Tsar’s army and shape an image of a true officer. Soon he would demonstrate that he was born to win honors in the battlefield. Mehmandarov gained the title of army general in a period of ten years, breaking long-standing stereotypes that only elderly officers could reach this honor in their military carrier.

Life was a constant battle for the young army general. The expression “to live means to fight” was his main strategy in his life.

Mehmandarov was a unique commander and was awarded “Order of St. George” and “Order of St. Vladimir.” Mehmandarov was also given a magnificent “George Gun,” ornamented with diamonds.

Later, he was invited to serve in the Defense Ministry after the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic established in 1918. General Mehmandarov, with his excellent organization skills, created strong army for the newly independent state in a short timeframe.

It took Mehmandarov and his companion in arms, Aliaga Shikhlinski, one and a half years to create a 40,000 strong national army. “...we must awaken the national feelings of the people who are just waking from their sleep...” he said, considering this as one of the country’s greatest struggles.

When General Mehmandarov was appointed Azerbaijan’s Defense Minister in 1918, he proclaimed the Azerbaijani language the official language of the army and commanded the multinational units in Azerbaijani.

Mehmandarov applied strict disciplinary rules to his army and officers who could not fulfill his obligations were immediately removed.

Mehmandarov held this position until 11th Red Army troops invaded Azerbaijan in 1920. After the fall of the national government and the establishment of the Soviet rule in Azerbaijan, Mehmandarov was arrested, but due to Nariman Narimanov, the Azerbaijani communist leader of the time, he was released after only two months.

The general spent his last years teaching in the Soviet Azerbaijan military school, and helped prepare many military specialists in Azerbaijan.