As part of the Chronicle of Western Azerbaijan project, a story entitled “The Traces of Azerbaijan That the Name Thieves Could Not Destroy” was prepared on Baku TV, written by journalist Asgar Ibrahimov.
In today’s story, the place names Aghzibir, Agin, Aghyar, as well as the oronym Agilli, which were subjected to the “name change terror”, were discussed.
It was stated that the fact that the present territory of Armenia is the former land of Azerbaijan is proven by historical facts:
“A look at maps and geographical documents confirms that the vast majority of toponyms in the territory of Western Azerbaijan are of Turkic-Oghuz origin.”
There was a village in Kavar, i.e. Kamo district of Aghzibir-Goycha district. From 1831 to 1916 only Azerbaijanis lived in the village. In 1918, the population of the village was expelled by Armenians with massacres. In the years 1922-1926, Armenians settled in the village and Azerbaijanis were repressed. After that, the demographic situation of the village changed. Azerbaijanis were relocated to the Agdash region of Azerbaijan in 1948. Since then, only Armenians live in the village. On December 7, 1945, the name of the village was changed to Lchap.
Agin – There was a village in Agin, namely Ani district of Shoreyel district. The settled residents of the village were Azerbaijanis. At the beginning of the 19th century, Azerbaijanis were expelled from their historical lands, in 1829-1830 Armenians were relocated from Mush, Alashkert and the Turkish Basin provinces, and from Kars in 1877-1878 and settled here. On October 12, 1961 the name of the village was changed to Ani.
Agyar was a village in Keshishkend, i.e. Yeghegnadzor district of Deraleyaz district. The original name of the village was Ayar. It was first mentioned in the 12th-13th centuries. Until 1828 only Azerbaijanis lived here. Armenians were moved here from the Iranian provinces of Khoy, Salmas and Maku in 1828-1829. On September 10, 1946, the name of the village was changed to Agarakadzor.
Agıllı is the name of a meadow in Chambarak, i.e. Krasnoselo district of Goyche district. This oronym was formed by adding the suffix “li” to the word “ağil”, which means “fenced place for cattle and sheep breeding” in the Azerbaijani language.
In the end, it was pointed out that the Armenians, known as “toponym thieves”, tried to erase the historical names of the Oghuz, Kipchak and Albanian tribes from the people’s memory:
“However, it is impossible for this evil deed to happen forever. Because these toponyms are used and experienced in the daily communication of Western Azerbaijanis, who are the former inhabitants of present-day Armenia.”
In general, the study and dissemination of toponyms, oiconyms, oronyms and hydronyms belonging to Western Azerbaijan is a reality of today and has great significance and importance for future generations who will own our native land, because they reflect the history, ethnography and geography of the local population. In the prepared arguments, the history and etymology of Western Azerbaijani toponyms modified by Armenians were investigated, as well as information was provided on the origin, meaning and further fate of toponyms.
It should be recalled that the aim of the Western Azerbaijan Chronicle project is to preserve and popularize the name of our historical and ancient lands, as well as the deportation of Azerbaijanis by Armenians, toponyms that existed in those territories, but their names have been erased, countless examples of underground and surface material culture are revealed: ancient settlements, necropolises, mounds, remains of castles, palaces and fortifications, caravansaries, bridges, burial chests, tombstones, statues of horses and rams, temples, churches, mosques, pyres and hearths, and facts confirming that the area is a pure Oghuz-Turk settlement are brought to the attention of the world community.
Also the president Ilham Aliyev Regarding Western Azerbaijan, he said: “The map of the beginning of the 20th century once again shows that Western Azerbaijan is the historical land of Azerbaijan, the names of cities and villages are of Azerbaijani origin and we know very well that Azerbaijani people have lived on the territory of present-day Armenia throughout history. Now the main task is to “make it known to the world community”, it is the promotion of the duties arising from the Concept of Return developed by the Western Azerbaijani Community according to its opinion.
It also aims to enlighten the thoughts of historians and researchers about West Azerbaijan and the life stories of people who were deported.
In the detailed plot:
Chronicle of Western Azerbaijan: Aghzibir, Agin, Agilli and Aghyar: Traces of Turkish History
