Today is the day of remembrance for Haji Zeynalabdin Tagiyev

Today is the day of remembrance of the famous millionaire, philanthropist, actual state councilor of the Russian Empire, founder of the first women's 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 in the poor family of a shoemaker named Tagi. His mother, Ummi khanum, died when the boy was ten years old.

He was a hardworking and patient person. At the age of 10, his father arranged for him to become an apprentice to one of Baku's stonemasons. Tagiyev began carrying tubs of mortar. By 12, he was already cutting stones, and at 15, he started working as a mason.

After some time, Zeynalabdin became known as a master in the field of construction. Having accumulated certain funds, at the age of 20 he organized construction and masonry works. Possessing considerable wealth, Tagiyev personally supervised the construction of all buildings, particularly stonework.

Later, successfully applying his abilities 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 through the Caspian Sea and the Caucasian Railway.

In 1870, Tagiyev already owned a kerosene plant with two boiler rooms. During that period, Baku was experiencing a real oil boom. Russian and foreign investors were buying lands in villages near Baku and building oil rigs. Tagiyev, also interested in the oil business, in 1873, together with partners, leased land in Bibiheybat. They hired laborers, masters, acquired equipment and, after building a rig, began drilling wells.

Expenses grew every day, but there was still no oil. After buying out his partners' shares, he became the sole owner of the land plot. Finally, a fountain of "black gold" gushed from the well. The latest equipment was installed at the field, and masters were paid high wages.

Tagiyev opened the oil company "Haji Zeynalabdin." As a result, his income began to grow rapidly. After this, he bought oil refineries.

In 1901, Haji Zeynalabdin Tagiyev opened the first women's 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.

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

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

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

The situation changed radically with the occupation of Azerbaijan by Soviet Russia on April 28, 1920. People's property was confiscated, and national personnel and intellectuals were persecuted. At the request of the local population and by the order 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 died on September 1, 1924.

Recall that on January 18, 2022, a monument to Haji Zeynalabdin Tagiyev was unveiled in Baku. President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev participated in the ceremony for this occasion.