On May 28, 1918, the National Council in Tiflis adopted the Declaration of Independence of the Azerbaijan People Republic. Those were hard times for the young Republic. At that time a considerable part of Azerbaijan, including Baku city and regions around were under the occupation of Armenian-Bolshevik forces. The last three days of March, 1918, the Dashnak-Bolshevik forces procreated unprecedented massacre against the Azerbaijanis. During those painful days more than 30 000 Azerbaijanis were mercilessly murdered in Baku, Shamakhy, Guba and other regions. The Armenians under Bolshevism motto tried by all means to keep Baku under their own control.   

Bloody battles for the liberation of Baku from the Dashnak-Bolshevik forces started in August-September 1918. The Dashnak-Bolshevik forces lost the first battle in Goychay and were forced to retreat. On September 15, 1918, the Ottoman Islamic Army of the Caucasus headed by Nuru Pasha, the Azerbaijani National Corps and numerous Azerbaijani volunteers entered Baku and the Armenian-Bolshevik forces abandoned the city. The liberation of Baku is one of the most valiant pages of  Azerbaijan history of the twentieth century. Zeynalabdin Taghiyev, the famous philanthropist, one of oil millionaires of Baku gave a party in honour of the victory troop.

Today the Azerbaijanis have fond memories about Nuru Pasha. In many sources it is stated that Nuru Pasha as a military man achieved his great success in Azerbaijan. With his victories in the fraternal country, he left mark not only in the history of the Ottoman state but also in the military history of Azerbaijan, generally in Turkish-Azerbaijan history.

That day inhabitants of Baku demonstrated heroism actively fighting against the Armenian-Bolshevik forces. The Bakuvians who were ready to liberate Baku were with the Turkish salvation army. The inhabitants were very hospitable towards the Turkish Army; the soldiers stayed at their houses, and the local people gave moral support to them.  One of those hospitable persons who opened his door to the Turkish soldiers was Shikhali Hajiyev, an inhabitant of Inner city - the oldest part of Baku.  Shikhali Hajiyev was born into a merchant family in 1880 in Inner city. He was a very kind and patriotic man. He had several various stores in the centre of Baku. He witnessed the massacre of the Armenian military forces in Baku in March, 1918, and saved very many families from death. He wished to see his city free. When the Turkish soldiers arrived in Baku, he did his best to help them, he was very kind to them. He was a bountiful giver. He spent too much money to free his city from the Armenian-Bolshevik forces. He provided the soldiers with accommodation and food for a significant period of time. He morally supported the Turkish soldiers and inspired them to annihilate the enemy.

Just due to such kind and brave men, our native city, the ancient Inner city was liberated from the invaders. Thanks to chieftains of Baku and brave men like Haji Shikhali, the Armenians couldn't procreate a massacre in Inner city. No blood was shed in the streets of Inner city. The news about the kindness and hospitality of the city inhabitants towards the Turkish soldiers reached Nuru Pasha, too. Such news rejoiced the cockles of his heart. His respect and love towards the Bakuvians increased.

On November 10, 1918, the Azerbaijan Government gave a grand party in honor of Nuru Pasha. F. Kh. Khoyski, the Prime Minister  of the independent Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, M. A. Rasulzade, the leader of the Musavat party made speeches and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan thanked Nuru Pasha, the soldiers and officers of the Turkish army for their heroism and dedication.

Vahid Maharramov