Beylagan District

The name of Beylagan historically used in different forms particularly, Paytakaran, Balasakan, Bilgan, Millar and Beylagan. A number of considerations associated with toponymy of Beylagan. In accordance with the historical name “Beylagan” derived from the words “pila” (valley) and “gan” (place) and corresponds to the meaning of field or valley.

Another view claims that Beylagan historically situated on the Barda – Ardabil trade way. Because of that reason the city became one of the main trade centers in the 9th – 12th centuries. The toponymy “Beylagan” interrelated to that historical base, which means trade way or the place where trading took place. According to the other statements the toponymy is related to the name of the “bel” tribe who lived there at that time. “Beylagan” means the place where “bel” tribes are settled regarding to that view.[2]

There is mention of the name of the district in a various historical books. One of them “Roads and Countries” is written by Naila Valikhanli. Dimensions of the main historical trade ways are indicated in that book. At the same time, indication of the route from Greece to Beylagan shows the significance of the city. According to the sources, the North – South line (Derbent – Ardabil road) of the Silk Road passed through Beylagan. Traders of the city built relations with China, India, Iran, Georgia and Byzantium through thanks to this geophysical condition.

In accordance with the historical sources Beylagan was founded in the 5th century. In the 13th century the city was completely destroyed by Mongol invasions. Reconstruction of Beylagan started by Amir Teymur in the 14th century but after his death works in that territory stopped. Ancient Beylagan city was ruined in the 16th century and has never been restored again.[2]

Beylagan is one of the south – western district of Azerbaijan and situated in Mil valley of the Kur – Araz lowland and in the middle of the Kur and Araz rivers. Geographical coordinates are 39°45’ North latitude and 47°30’ West longitude and bordering Agchabadi, Zardab, Imishli, Fuzuli districts and Iran Islamic Republic in the south – east. Some parts of the Harami plain belong to the district and the north – east part is below the ocean level. More than 40% of the territory is 0 – 100 meters, 25% is 100 – 200 meters and 35% is below 0 meter. Absolute altitude changes between 200 – 250 meters towards Harami plain. Generally, Beylagan is considered as a seismic active zone.

Territory is completely plain. Relief is covered by sand, gravel and other sedimentary rocks belong to the Anthropogenic period of the Cenozoic era. 4th period sedimentary rocks are widespread in the district. At the same time, all sedimentary minerals are found in the territory. There is found gravel, sand in the Harami and Arazboyu plains. Researches reveal that there are a lot of potable water resources in the Harami plain and they are partly used. Furthermore, territory is used as a pasture.[3]

Economy of Beylagan is characterized by agricultural activities especially cotton, vine, grain growing fields.

According to the statistics in 2017 the population is 96,4 thousand people. Population of the district includes various nationalities.

People's settlement in urban areas is less than villages, respectively 42,16% and 57,84%.[4]

According to the State Statistics Committee, as of 2018, the population of city recorded 97,500 persons, which increased by 18,700 persons (about 18.9 percent) from 79,000 persons in 2000.[5] 49,400 of total population are men, 48,100 are women.[6]

Beylagan district prides on having produced a number of historical legendary people like, Masud ibn Namndar, Muciraddin Beylagani, Nacmaddin Beylagani and Shibaddin Beylagani. Some of the district's notable residents include scientists, writers, sportsmen, heroes and musicians.

Scientists: Asgar Abdullayev, Tahir Ağayev, Abish Allahverdiyev, Vaqif Allahverdiyev, Ravan Babayev, Kanan Bashirov, Asif Cavadov, Hidayat Cafarov, Sadi Jafarov, Iltifat Aliyarli, Suleyman Aliyarli, Dursun Aliyeva, Maharram Aliyev, Alamdar Farzaliyev, Mahmud Fatiyev, Samad Hacıyev, Eldar Haseynov, Babakishi Karimov, Nazir Karimov, Alish Gasimov, Karam Guliyev, Vilayat Guliyev, Xalida Guliyeva, Ayyub Mammadov, Yunis Salahov, Nizami Seyidaliyev, Kamil Mammədov, Yavar Valiyev and Elmira Zeynalova.

Hero of the Soviet Union: Garay Asadov.

Hero of Socialist Labour: Gulzar Abdullayeva, Gulustan Agayeva, Gullu Jabbarova, Maral Jafarova, Allahqulu Haciyev, Mulayim Hasanova, Bahadur Huseynov, Rashid Imanov, Sardar Imraliyev, Sevil Qaziyeva, Ahmad Ahmadov, Barshad Guliyev, Mursal Mehraliyev, Imran Mammadov, Huseyn Panahov, Havvakhanum Rzayeva, Alibala Shirinov, Askinaz Usubova.

National Heros of Azerbaijan: Namiq Allahverdiyev, Akif Akbarov, Matlab Guliyev, Nazim Guliyev.

Writers: Aga Savalanli, Asif Jafarli, Bahram Farmanzadeh, Elman Israfiloglu, Zakir Aliyev, Asad Jahangir, Faiq Dargahov, Ibrahim Kabirli, Islam Kabirli, Mamməd Oruc, Arif Madatov, Oqtay Madatov, Nigar Fatiyeva, Iltizam Rustamov, Saxavat Sahil, Samadkhan Beylaqanli, Shafaq Nasir, Tamara Valiyeva, Vaqif Jafarli, Yusif Nagmakar, Zaki Beylagani, Zulfuqar Shahsevanli and so on.

Sportsmen: Kochari Beylaganli, Namiq Guliyev, Nuraddin Beylaganli, Zulfiyya Huseynova, Shahin Diniyev, Sevindik Ahmadov, Misir Khudaverdiyev, Eldaniz Tahirov, Sahib Nasibov etc.[2]