Mirza Fatali Akhundov

Mirza Fatali Akhundov - Writers, Timeline and Personal Life

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Mirza Fatali Akhundov's Personal Details

Mirza Fatali Akhundov was a renowned Azerbaijani writer, philosopher and founder of modern literary criticism.This biography gives detailed information about his childhood, life, works and timeline.

InformationDetail
BirthdayJuly 12, 1812
Died onMarch 9, 1878
NationalityAzerbaijani
FamousIntellectuals & Academics, Philosophers, Poets, Playwrights, Philisopher, Writers
Known asMirza Fath Ali Akhundzadeh
Birth PlaceShaki, Azerbaijan
GenderMale
FatherMirza Mammadtaghi
MotherNana Khanim
Sun SignCancer
Born inShaki, Azerbaijan
Famous asWriter and Philisopher
Died at Age65

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Mirza Fatali Akhundov's photo

Who is Mirza Fatali Akhundov?

Mirza Fatali Akhundov was a renowned Azerbaijani writer, philosopher and founder of modern literary criticism. He became famous for writing European-inspired plays in Azeri Turkic language. Mirza was born at a time when his family was facing financial hardships. When he was six-year-old, his mother left his father and went to live with her uncle, who was a highly intellectual and well-read cleric. Mirza grew under his maternal uncle's tutelage and soon mastered the canons of Islamic philosophy and literature. Initially hoping to follow in his uncle's footsteps and join the clergy, Mirza dropped out of theological school to study poetry and Western literature. He then began to produce his own works of literary genius, including comedy plays and brilliantly satirical novels. His lyrical use of Persian and well as his descriptions of Persian culture inspired an entire generation of Iranian leaders. His takedown of corrupt and nonsensical Muslim superstitions made him an early advocate of rational atheism, an ideology heavily promoted by the Soviet Union decades after his death. Mirza's vast output of work ranging from literary criticism to volumes of poetry has lifted him to the status of a colossus in the annals of great Persian, Azerbaijani and Russian writers.

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Childhood & Early Life

Mirza Fatali Akhundov was born on July 12, 1812 in Nukha, now Shakhi, in Azerbaijan. Mirza's father Mirza Mammadtaghi was an ethnic Iranian from Tabriz Province in Azerbaijan and his mother Nana Khanim was a native of Nukha.

When Mirza was six years old, his parents divorced and he moved with his mother to Qaradagh Province, Azerbaijan to live in the household of his uncle, Akhund Haji Alasgar, one of the best-known Muslim clerics of the region.

Akhund was a highly educated man and taught his nephew Mirza how to speak and read Arabic and Persian and introduced him to great books in the region's literature.

Career

In 1832, Mirza's Uncle Akhund accompanied Mirza to Ganja to enroll his nephew at the madrassa attached to Shah Abbas Mosque. He wanted Mirza to study logic and Islamic theology.

While at the school, Mirza learnt calligraphy from the renowned Azerbaijani poet Mirza Shafi Vazeh. Shafi Vazeh discouraged Mirza to pursue religious studies and encouraged him to study the modern sciences. Mirza gave up his religious and clerical education and started studying Russian in order to learn about Russian and European culture..

When uncle Akhund learned that Mirza had dropped out of school, he surprised the family by supporting his nephew's decision. After uncle Akhund used his powerful connections to land his nephew a job, Mirza moved to Tbilisi, Georgia, in 1834, to work for the government as a translator.

In 1836, Akhundov became a teacher of the Azerbaijani language, a post he would hold for the next 13 years.

In 1837, Mirza published his first major poem in the Persian language, 'The Oriental Poem', about the death of the celebrated Russian poet Alexander Pushkin. Akhundov translated 'The Oriental Poem' into Russian and it was soon being read by the leading lights of the Russian intellectual world.

In 1845, Russian theater came to Tbilisi, bringing both Russian and Western plays to the stage for the first time in the region.

In 1850, Akhundov wrote his first play, ‘The Tale of Monsieur Jordan the Botanist and the Celebrated Sorcerer, Dervish Mastali Shah’. The satirical comedy was tremendously successful and played to packed houses in Moscow, St. Petersburg and Tbilisi.

Mirza followed that up with a second hit comedy, 'Molla Ibragim Khalil, Alchemist, Possessor of the Philosopher’s Stone'. In the same year he also wrote 'The Vizier of the Lenkoran Khanate'.

In 1852, he wrote and staged his play 'The Miser’s Adventure'. Mirza also wrote 'The Defenders of Right in the City of Tebriz', which was brought to the stage for the first time in 1855.

In 1857, Akhundov published his first book of prose, 'The Deceived Stars', single-handedly reinventing the genre of Azerbaijani historical writing.

Akhundov went on to publish six separate books on literary criticism, analyzing the works of literary giants in the Arabic and Persian world. Akhundov also penned a number of philosophical works, including 'The Sayings of Dr. Sismond' and 'Response to the Philosopher Hume'.

Mirza had compiled a new alphabet that better reflected the sounds of Azerbaijani Turkish and was easier for people to learn. He sent the alphabet to the linguists and heads of state of Iran and the Ottoman Empire.

In 1863, as part of his alphabet campaign, he went to Istanbul to meet the Ottoman prime minister, Faud Pasha. The matter was discussed in the Ottoman Society of Science and Miza's initiative was widely appreciated. But Iran’s chief ambassador to the Ottoman courts, Mirza Huseyn Khan scuttled the intoduction of new alphabet.

Akhundov petitioned the Turkish government to modify the alphabet once again, but he was again rejected. Returning home, he wrote 'Three Letters of the Indian Prince Kemal-ud-Doula to the Persian Prince Jalal-ud-Doula', a satirical piece that sharply mocked the Ottoman Empire.

Major Works

Mirza came to global attention when 'The Oriental Poem', his evocative reaction to the death of Alexander Pushkin, was translated into Russian, in 1837.

His bitingly satirical play ‘The Tale of Monsieur Jordan the Botanist and the Celebrated Sorcerer, Dervish Mastali Shah’ still plays to packed houses in Azerbaijan.

With over 50 books on philosophy, religious and literary criticism, as well as his dramatic plays, the works of Mirza Akhundov form the backbone of Azerbaijani literature today.

Awards & Achievements

The International Organization of Turkic Culture declared 2012 as the Year of Mirza Fatali Akhundov.

Personal Life & Legacy

He died on 9 March 1878, at the age of 65, in Tbilisi.

Mirza's dedication to the Azerbaijani language led to the adoption of a new script, prompting a giant leap forward in literacy levels and national awareness of Azerbaijani culture.

Trivia

Mirza's nickname was 'Moliere of the Orient'.

The modern Azerbaijani language is written in a script that Mirza Akhundov designed.

During the Crimean War of 1853-1856, Akhundov agitated for his people to join Russia and enter the war against Turkey.

In the Azerbaijani language, Mirza was called 'Akhund's son' or Akhundzadeh. In Azerbaijan today, he is known by the name Mirza Akhundzade. The closest translation of Akhundzade into Russian was Akhundov, the name by which most of the world knows him today.

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Mirza Fatali Akhundov biography timelines

  • // 12th Jul 1812
    Mirza Fatali Akhundov was born on July 12, 1812 in Nukha, now Shakhi, in Azerbaijan. Mirza's father Mirza Mammadtaghi was an ethnic Iranian from Tabriz Province in Azerbaijan and his mother Nana Khanim was a native of Nukha.
  • // 1832
    In 1832, Mirza's Uncle Akhund accompanied Mirza to Ganja to enroll his nephew at the madrassa attached to Shah Abbas Mosque. He wanted Mirza to study logic and Islamic theology.
  • // 1834
    When uncle Akhund learned that Mirza had dropped out of school, he surprised the family by supporting his nephew's decision. After uncle Akhund used his powerful connections to land his nephew a job, Mirza moved to Tbilisi, Georgia, in 1834, to work for the government as a translator.
  • // 1836
    In 1836, Akhundov became a teacher of the Azerbaijani language, a post he would hold for the next 13 years.
  • // 1837
    In 1837, Mirza published his first major poem in the Persian language, 'The Oriental Poem', about the death of the celebrated Russian poet Alexander Pushkin. Akhundov translated 'The Oriental Poem' into Russian and it was soon being read by the leading lights of the Russian intellectual world.
  • // 1845
    In 1845, Russian theater came to Tbilisi, bringing both Russian and Western plays to the stage for the first time in the region.
  • // 1850
    In 1850, Akhundov wrote his first play, ‘The Tale of Monsieur Jordan the Botanist and the Celebrated Sorcerer, Dervish Mastali Shah’. The satirical comedy was tremendously successful and played to packed houses in Moscow, St. Petersburg and Tbilisi.
  • // 1852
    In 1852, he wrote and staged his play 'The Miser’s Adventure'. Mirza also wrote 'The Defenders of Right in the City of Tebriz', which was brought to the stage for the first time in 1855.
  • // 1857
    In 1857, Akhundov published his first book of prose, 'The Deceived Stars', single-handedly reinventing the genre of Azerbaijani historical writing.
  • // 1863
    In 1863, as part of his alphabet campaign, he went to Istanbul to meet the Ottoman prime minister, Faud Pasha. The matter was discussed in the Ottoman Society of Science and Miza's initiative was widely appreciated. But Iran’s chief ambassador to the Ottoman courts, Mirza Huseyn Khan scuttled the intoduction of new alphabet.
  • // 9th Mar 1878
    He died on 9 March 1878, at the age of 65, in Tbilisi.

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Mirza Fatali Akhundov's FAQ

  • What is Mirza Fatali Akhundov birthday?

    Mirza Fatali Akhundov was born at 1812-07-12

  • When was Mirza Fatali Akhundov died?

    Mirza Fatali Akhundov was died at 1878-03-09

  • Where was Mirza Fatali Akhundov died?

    Mirza Fatali Akhundov was died in Tbilisi

  • Which age was Mirza Fatali Akhundov died?

    Mirza Fatali Akhundov was died at age 65

  • Where is Mirza Fatali Akhundov's birth place?

    Mirza Fatali Akhundov was born in Shaki, Azerbaijan

  • What is Mirza Fatali Akhundov nationalities?

    Mirza Fatali Akhundov's nationalities is Azerbaijani

  • Who is Mirza Fatali Akhundov's father?

    Mirza Fatali Akhundov's father is Mirza Mammadtaghi

  • Who is Mirza Fatali Akhundov's mother?

    Mirza Fatali Akhundov's mother is Nana Khanim

  • What is Mirza Fatali Akhundov's sun sign?

    Mirza Fatali Akhundov is Cancer

  • How famous is Mirza Fatali Akhundov?

    Mirza Fatali Akhundov is famouse as Writer and Philisopher