In honor of the Azerbaijani poet and statesman of the 18th century, Molla Panah Vagif, a mausoleum was constructed in the city of Shusha. This esteemed figure served as the vizier of the Karabakh Khanate and remains a significant cultural icon in Azerbaijan.
Molla Panah Vagif was born in 1717 in the village of Salahly to a peasant family. From a young age, he studied under Shafi Efendi, mastering the Arabic and Persian languages. In addition to his language skills, Vagif developed an interest in astronomy and acquired architectural skills.
Due to frequent feudal conflicts along the border with Georgia, many residents from several villages in the Gazakh region migrated to the Karabakh Khanate around 1759, including Vagif’s family. Initially residing in the village of Tartarbasar, Vagif began his teaching career and later established a school for children in Shusha. Through his efforts, he forged connections with influential figures, including Mirza Veli Bakharly, a trusted aide to Ibrahim Khalil Khan of Karabakh. This relationship eventually led to Vagif’s introduction to the khan, who sought to involve him in the governance of the khanate.
Vagif was first appointed as the master of ceremonies and later became the chief vizier, a position he held until his death. His popularity was such that a saying emerged: “Not every literate person can become Molla Panah.”
As vizier, Vagif demonstrated exceptional diplomatic skills. He played a pivotal role in forming a defensive alliance between Karabakh, Georgia, and the Talysh and Erivan khanates against Iran. He was also the initiator of negotiations with Russia.
Despite his political responsibilities, Vagif continued to write poetry, primarily composing ghazals, mukhammas, mustazads, and ghoshma. His verses are still performed by ashugs and singers today.
However, his tenure came to a tragic end when Mamadbek Javanshir came to power and took an immediate dislike to Vagif. In 1797, the khan ordered the execution of Vagif and his son, Aliaga. The murder was politically motivated, compounded by past conflicts, including Vagif’s opposition to Javanshir’s desire to marry the khan’s daughter, which he believed would strengthen ties with Ibrahim Khalil Khan.
Following Vagif’s death, his home was ransacked, and many of his manuscripts were destroyed or stolen. Nevertheless, some of his poems survived in the memories of ashugs, and dedicated individuals collected and transcribed his work into special notebooks known as “dzhungs.” The Republican Manuscript Fund of Azerbaijan and the Museum of the History of Azerbaijani Literature house dozens of these dzhungs, along with handwritten almanacs containing his poetry.
After Vagif’s death, his grave became a site of pilgrimage for many. In 1977, near Jidir Duzu, where Vagif’s grave was located, the construction of a mausoleum commenced, designed by architects Abdulvahab Salamzadeh and Eldar Kanukov, with sculptor Asim Mustafaev contributing to the project. The mausoleum was built in a quadrangular shape and adorned with intricately carved marble.
On January 14, 1982, the mausoleum was officially inaugurated in Shusha, attended by the great leader Heydar Aliyev and numerous figures from literature, art, and science. The mausoleum showcased around 80 exhibits reflecting Vagif’s life in Shusha. Since then, annual poetry days celebrating Vagif and gatherings of poets and literary figures have been held near the mausoleum.
After the capture of Shusha by Armenian armed forces on May 8, 1992, the mausoleum suffered significant damage, leaving only the walls standing. However, during the Patriotic War, on November 8, 2020, Shusha was liberated from occupation. The Heydar Aliyev Foundation took charge of the restoration of Vagif’s museum-mausoleum complex.
Every detail of the monument has been restored with historical accuracy in mind. The entire infrastructure of the complex has been reconstructed, including drainage lines for rainwater and electrical systems. The supporting walls and platforms have been re-clad in granite, and, as depicted in photographs from earlier times, rose bushes of various types have been planted around the site. In the center of the hall, a black marble gravestone in the shape of a chest has been installed, topped with a bust crafted from white marble.
