THE LIFE AND ACTIVITIES OF AHİSKA SHEIKHZADEHEFFENDIZADEH SHEFIKA- KHANYM AND HER FAMILY IN AZERBAIJAN

Abstract

While recent studies on the Ahiska Turks (Meskhetian Turks) have increased, still little is known about this ethnic and the information about them continues to be controversial. Concept of migration in this context plays a sıgnıfıcant role of related work, as it is the main element that shapes the current state of the Ahiska Turks. As a result of the migration processes they have been subjected to throughout history, Ahiska Turks live divided into 10 countries today. Among these countries, Azerbaijan has a significant position for the Ahiska Turks for many reasons. Thereupon, the importance of Azerbaijan for the Ahiska Turks will be revealed in the general context of the historical perspective of the study and evaluated through the life and activities of Ahiska Sheikhzadeh-Effendizadeh Shefika-Khanym and some of her family members in Azerbaijan who have migrated there in time. For the consistency of the current study, the analysis will be conducted by referring to the sources written in Turkish, Russian, English, and Azerbaijan Turkish. Since the subject of Azerbaijan is poorly known in the academic literature on Ahiska and Ahiska Turks, this research is intended to contribute to this field.