Today is the memorial day of Haji Zeynalabdin Tagiyev

Today is the memorial day of the famous millionaire, philanthropist, Privy Councillor of the Russian Empire, and founder of the first girls' school in the Muslim East, Haji Zeynalabdin Tagiyev.

Haji Zeynalabdin Tagiyev was born in January 1823 or, according to some sources, in 1838 in Baku into a destitute family of a shoemaker named Tagi. His mother, Ummi khanum, passed away when the boy was ten years old.

He was a hardworking and patient man. At the age of 10, his father placed him as an apprentice with one of Baku's stonemasons. Tagiyev began carrying tubs of mortar. By the age of 12, he was already dressing stones, and at 15, he began working as a stonemason.

After some time, Zeynalabdin became known as a master builder. Having accumulated certain funds, by the age of 20 he was already organizing construction and masonry work. Possessing a considerable fortune, Tagiyev personally supervised the construction of all buildings, particularly the stonecutting work.

Later, having successfully applied his skills in trade and light industry, he became the owner of shops and a manufactory. He was also one of the largest entrepreneurs who exported Baku oil via the Caspian Sea and the Caucasus Railway.

By 1870, Tagiyev already had a kerosene plant with two boiler houses. During that period, Baku was experiencing a real oil boom. Russian and foreign investors were buying up land in villages near Baku, building oil derricks. Tagiyev, also having taken an interest in the oil business, in 1873 together with partners leased land in Bibiheybat. They hired laborers and craftsmen, purchased equipment, and having erected a derrick, began drilling wells.

Expenses grew with each passing day, yet there was still no oil. Having bought out his partners' shares, he became the sole owner of the plot of land. Finally, a fountain of "black gold" gushed from the well. The latest equipment was installed at the field, and the craftsmen were paid high wages.

Tagiyev established the oil company "Haji Zeynalabdin." As a result, his income began to grow rapidly. After that, he purchased oil refineries.

In 1901, Haji Zeynalabdin Tagiyev opened the first girls' school in Baku, investing 300,000 rubles in its construction. According to some sources, the idea of building an educational institution for girls belonged to Tagiyev's second wife, Sona khanum.

It was the only girls' school in the entire Caucasus. Construction of the building began in 1898 and was completed in 1900. The girls' school building was designed in the national-romantic style of Azerbaijani architecture. The main facade wall is laid with alternating rows of white and golden stones.

It should be noted that charitable societies were created either with the personal participation and funds of Tagiyev, or with his assistance.

He also allocated money from his own funds for the construction of the Baku–Shollar water pipeline.

The situation changed drastically with the occupation of Azerbaijan by Soviet Russia on April 28, 1920. People's property was confiscated, national cadres and intelligentsia were persecuted. At the request of the local population and on the instructions of one of the leaders of the new government, Nariman Narimanov, Tagiyev was given the opportunity to choose his place of residence. From his former possessions, he chose only a country house in Mardakan.

Haji Zeynalabdin Tagiyev passed