The history of Ganja is steeped in a series of battles, each leaving a unique and indelible mark on the city’s rich past. Among these, one of the most fierce and tragic occurred during the reign of the last khan of Ganja, Javad Khan. On January 3, 1804, he met his fate at the city’s fortress wall as Russian forces laid siege to Ganja. Despite being offered the chance to surrender the city peacefully, Javad Khan remained resolute, declaring that Ganja would only fall over his dead body. And so it was—alongside the last ruler of Ganja, his son perished in the same unequal battle.
Javad Khan and his son were initially laid to rest with full honors at the Khan’s cemetery, located within the grounds of the Juma Mosque. However, during the Soviet era, reconstruction works were carried out in the area, leading to the loss and eventual obscurity of the khan’s grave. It wasn’t until 1962, during the construction of a fountain, that the tombstone and remains of Javad Khan were accidentally discovered. Afterward, his remains were first reburied at the old Sabsikar cemetery, and, following a local initiative by the residents of Ganja, they were returned to their original resting place in 1990.
In 2005, with support from the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, the memory of Javad Khan was immortalized in a newly built mausoleum. The tomb was constructed using fired red bricks, in the distinctive style of the Arran architectural school. The elegant arched doorway and windows, designed in the traditional Shebek style, add a refined touch to the structure, underscoring its historical significance.
Additionally, it is worth noting that the original tombstone of Javad Khan is now preserved as a valuable exhibit at the Ganja History and Regional Studies Museum, symbolizing the lasting legacy of the city’s last ruler.
Location: Heydar Aliyev Avenue, near Javad Khan Street.
After Azerbaijan regained its independence from the Soviet Union, Martyrs’ Day was officially declared a national holiday. In 2010, the government honored the memory of the victims by establishing a memorial in the Yasamal District of Baku. This memorial, known as Shekhid Alley (Martyrs’ Lane), features the names of each national hero who perished during the Black January events inscribed on its walls, serving as a lasting tribute to their bravery.
Every year, on January 20, the people of Azerbaijan come together to commemorate this tragic event with a large, solemn procession to the memorial. Participants lay flowers and pay their respects, honoring the memory of those who lost their lives in the pursuit of justice and freedom.