The National Museum of History of Azerbaijan - centuries of history hidden away in Baku.

One of the must see sights of Baku is the National Museum of the History of Azerbaijan (NMHA). That was our first museum visit in Baku as we knew nothing of the country’s history. 

Between 1895 to 1901, this building where the museum is currently located, was the personal residence of Haci Z Tagiyev, an enlightened man who was a banker by profession. The Merchant Bank occupied the rear of the premises. The owner used only nine rooms. He was enlightened for his time in that he started a textile mill, orphanges, and religious schools. You will be shocked to learn that he began life as a stone mason and it is said he was illiterate.

 This museum is tucked away in a side street at #4 Haci Zeynalabdin Tagiyew street, and its entrance is very easy to pass by. We had to double check .. there is a sign board in English. The entryance is gloomy with the usual elderly ladies occupying the ticket booths.  We paid entry fee of AZN 30 manat or USD 17.00/INR 1,600 approx. for two people,  and took a guide @ 10 manat as we would learn much more. That was a wise decision as our guide Gulet, a young lady of 23 years, was excellent. We began the tour at 10.35 am and finished at 12.40pm.

The museum is well laid out with innumerable rooms. It tells the story of the country, warts and all, from the very beginning until now. Gulet explained that Azerbajani is based on the Persian language but uses Arabic script. Its very similar to Turkish. 

Most of this blog is self explanatory ; not requiring text

There are some exquisaite bowls, plates and other pottery items on display. 

Some important points in the country’s history.

·       1848 was the discovery of the first oil well….

·       Azerbaijan may be small but it has 60 different nationalities living within its borders.

·       The law forbids multiple wives.

·       On 28 May 1918 the 1^st Republic was established.

·       The musuem commenced in 1920

·       In the same year, 1920, the building was confiscated from its owner and the Government with great foresight started collecting artefacts for the museum. It is a 106 years since the museum began. 

There is a large number of rooms and displays which cover the Russian occupation of the country over the ages. 

The visitor progresses through different periods from antiquity to the present. There are some excellent displays – one which I liked was the requirements for menswear…… they had to have a hat, a pistol, a sword, a horn and a mustache There is an exhibit of a mustache guard so its shape is maintained at night. 

There were seven types of carpet weaving schools; which we later saw in the carpet museum (see earlier blog).

I have covered this museum in some detail as it is one of the best museums i have seen of a country's history. Go and enjoy the wonderful displays. 

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