Those Who Left Their Mark in Iğdır: Hüseyin Han Talınlı – Part 1

INTRODUCTION

The land of Iğdır is noble. It loves hospitality. It has suffered much, but even with a wounded heart, it has always generously opened its arms to newcomers, embracing them with love.

Iğdır lies on migration routes. The number of people who, like storks coming from distant lands, arrive from unknown places, spend a few years in Iğdır, and then depart for faraway lands is unknown. Those who leave Iğdır carry the love of Iğdır in their hearts. The scent of Iğdır's soil, the taste of its fruits and vegetables, the tea they drank, the conversations they enjoyed in its coffeehouses, and the sight of Mount Ararat's splendor through rows of poplar trees as they walked its roads have left an indelible mark on their hearts with this unique melody: "Separation, separation, cruel separation..."

During the Republican era, people from all walks of life and all backgrounds set foot on Iğdır's soil. Some made it their permanent home, while others, when their time was up, left Iğdır with a bitter ache in their hearts. Among them were doctors, teachers, lawyers, journalists, merchants, and people with military backgrounds. In this series of articles, we aim to highlight important figures who left their mark on Iğdır's history, both to honor them and to instill a sense of praise and pride in Iğdır's future generations by conveying some memories from the past.

HÜSEYİN HAN TALINLI'S CHILDHOOD

Hüseyin Han was born in 1899 in the Talın region near Erivan. His father's name was Ali Pasha Han, and his mother's name was Tükezban Suna Hanım. Hüseyin Han attended high school at the Erivan Gymnasium. When the Republic of Armenia was established in the region during World War I, Ali Pasha Han's family, like many other Azerbaijanis, became targets of the Armenians. One day, Dashnak forces besieged the Talın region. The populace was massacred. Hüseyin Han was a child. He was left for dead. Azerbaijanis fleeing the region took young Hüseyin Han with them and went towards Baku.

YEARS OF STRUGGLE

In later years, Hüseyin Han found a way to come to Kars. He found himself in the midst of an intense struggle. His sole ideal, which kept him alive, was to create a safe homeland for Azerbaijanis who had lost their families in war and massacre. In those years, councils (committees) were being established in almost every village and town in Kars and its surrounding regions. These national councils, established in the region, later united with Kars as their center. On November 5, 1918, the National Council Government was established by the decision of the 17-member Congress, of which Hüseyin Han was also a member.

The 19-year-old Hüseyin Han was enthusiastic and diligent. He was a man of principle. He was appointed as district governor to the Kızılçakçak (Akyaka) region. As Border Commander, he succeeded in gathering the national forces there. In a short time, with his determination and resolute work, he strengthened the Kızılçakçak Front, turning it into a secure area.

Hüseyin Han displayed great heroism in his border command. He organized militia forces in Akbaba and Şüregel. Not content with this, he sent a cavalry unit to Arpaçay, aiding its defense. He particularly acquired weapons by raiding enemy depots, transferring some of these weapons to Kars.

When the Armenians wanted to go to Kars via Kızılçakçak in accordance with the Mondros Armistice, Hüseyin Han prevented their entry into Kars. The Armenians reported the situation to the British Governor-General by telephone: "The commander here is preventing us from entering Kars."

Despite losing his entire family to Armenian committees, Hüseyin Han treated Armenian soldiers and civilians who fell captive to him with utmost fairness and helpfulness. The fact that he carried the value of Humanism in his heart during such a period of wars and deaths is an indication of Hüseyin Han's exceptional character.

Soon after, on January 17, 1919, the National Council Government changed its name to the Provisional Government of the Southwestern Caucasus. It expanded its borders, extending to Kars, Ardahan, Batum, Gümrü, Sarıkamış, Nakhchivan, and Ordubat. The Provisional Government was declared the Republic of the Southwestern Caucasus Government on March 25, 1919. Throughout this process, Hüseyin Han played an active role. He was awarded a medal by the National Council Government for his heroism.

The British initially approached the activities of this government with moderation. However, one day, on April 13, 1919, they suddenly raided and ended this state. While doing so, the British prepared a conspiracy. They invited the government members to gather at the Government House, stating that they wished to introduce them to generals arriving from England. While the government members were in a meeting, British forces raided the government house, arrested President İbrahim Cihangiroğlu and 11 members of the government, and exiled them to Malta via Batum. Two days after this raid, Hüseyin Han was also arrested and sent to Batum, but he managed to escape from there. He found a way to flee to Azerbaijan. He stayed in Azerbaijan for two years. He attended teaching and pedagogy courses in Ganja. After graduating, he served as a head teacher and teacher.

In September 1921, Hüseyin Han, hearing that Erivan immigrants were granted the right to settle in Kars according to the agreement signed between Russia and the Ottoman Empire, settled in Kars and continued his struggle there until the establishment of the Republic.

Since Hüseyin Han knew Russian, German, and French, he served as a representative of Turkey in important border negotiations.

Hüseyin Han's first meeting with Mustafa Kemal Pasha became an unforgettable memory for him. He first met Mustafa Kemal Pasha on September 30, 1924, in Erzurum. On October 6, 1924, he was part of the committee that welcomed Mustafa Kemal Pasha in Kars.

Hüseyin Han became the Mayor of Kars in 1926 and continued this duty for four years (1926-1930). His most important service during his mayorship was bringing the lime-free and clean Borluk water to Kars. He served as a member of the Provincial General Assembly for many years.

Hüseyin Han married Bülbül Hanım in 1922. To earn a living, he worked as a grocer and photographer. He served on the administrative board of the Turkish Hearth branch. Additionally, he continuously served on the provincial executive board of the CHP (Republican People's Party) from its establishment in 1923 until 1942. Besides this, he served as the president of the Kars Community Center for 8 years (1934-1942). In 1934, when the Surname Law was enacted, he took the name of his birthplace (Talın) as his surname.

Hüseyin Han, who was loved by everyone in Kars, young and old, was affectionately called "Han Emi" by the public.

In the 1950 General Elections, he became a candidate for the CHP but failed to get the necessary votes in the primary election. The cruelty of life knocked on his door again. A period of unemployment began. He applied for jobs at many institutions but received no positive response.

For a while, he worked as a correspondence chief and translator at the Kars Animal Export Union. In 1952, he took on a role as a supervisor (member of the Control Board) at the Iğdır Cotton Agricultural Sales Cooperatives Union. It is said that during these years, when he went to the border with his friends and watched Erivan from afar after many years, he would sigh to those with him, saying, "Look what I was there, and what I have become now."

At one point, the Governor of Kars, who visited Iğdır, offered him to return to Kars and apply for membership in the Provincial Permanent Council. However, in his last days in Iğdır, he suffered a heart attack. Dr. Rahmi Uluhan closely attended to his illness. But he passed away during the second crisis. The people of Iğdır sent the funeral off to Kars with heartfelt interest and tears.

HAMZA AYGÜN NARRATES:

My acquaintance with Hüseyin Han Bey happened like this: It was 1953. I was working as a Cashier Accountant at the Iğdır Agricultural Sales Cooperatives Union. That year, the Ministry of Commerce had appointed Hüseyin Han Bey as a consultant to the Agricultural Sales Cooperatives Union (TSKB).

My father, Rıza Aygün, and Hüseyin Bey had met and become friends earlier in Kars city center. For this reason, when my father heard that Hüseyin Bey was appointed to Iğdır, he called me and said, "My son, Hüseyin Bey is someone I love and respect very much. Help him to be comfortable!"

Hüseyin Bey spent the first two nights in a hotel. The TSKB Board of Directors assigned Mr. Kerim Yanar (Kerim Ağa) to handle Hüseyin Bey's personal affairs. Kerim Ağa vacated one of the apartments belonging to TSKB and gave it to Hüseyin Bey. When help was requested for a bed, I placed one of our guest beds in the room where Hüseyin Bey would stay.

Hüseyin Bey was very much loved by the people of Iğdır. That's why we took turns preparing meals at home and offering them to Hüseyin Bey.

Thus, over time, I had the chance to get to know this valuable person more closely. All the staff working at TSKB showed sincere and genuine respect for Hüseyin Bey. Hüseyin Bey, who was quite handsome and a true gentleman, was also extremely happy with the attention shown to him and tried to be worthy of the friendship of the employees by chatting with them.

Every morning, when he entered the office, I would turn to Hüseyin Bey and compliment him, "Good morning, Han Emmi, I see you are very elegant today!" He would then slightly smile with a childlike shyness at my words, showing his happiness.

EVERYTHING SACRIFICED FOR THE HOMELAND!

The youth of Iğdır had launched a fundraising campaign for the Azerbaijan Cultural Association; as a continuation of these efforts, a play was also organized.

One day, the young people entered the office with tickets in their hands. They gave me a ticket. Hüseyin Bey was sitting at his desk a little further away. I took one of the tickets and went to Hüseyin Bey's desk.

"Han Emmi, these young people have started a fundraising campaign. These tickets don't have a fixed price. Whatever your heart desires!" I said. Hüseyin Bey took out his wallet and, without hesitation, placed a 200-lira banknote on the table. I looked at him in astonishment and asked, "Are you giving all this money?" Hüseyin Bey, in a determined tone, said, "Yes, if I had the power, I would give ten times that!"

I was very surprised at that moment. Because in those days when a civil servant's salary was 150 liras, Hüseyin Bey's behavior proved how nationalistic and noble a person he was. Hüseyin Bey must have read my astonishment well, because he said,

"My child, remember, one should not regret sacrificing life and property for the homeland and nation!"

His words were etched into our hearts as a motto. From that day on, whenever there was a meeting, we would repeat Hüseyin Bey's highly spiritual and sacred words to encourage ourselves.

Hüseyin Bey attached great importance to his clothing and appearance. Every day, he would shave meticulously, put on his tie and suit, and then go out. When his meticulousness was combined with his tall stature and handsome face, Hüseyin Bey stood out as a person everyone looked up to.

Hüseyin Bey had served in the Kars Islamic National Council and rendered important services. In the DİL newspaper published by our esteemed compatriot, the late Mecit Hun, in 1952, a series of articles about the Kars National Council was published, and in one part of this series, the following words about Hüseyin Bey were included:

"On November 15, 1918, the Kars National Council Government, consisting of 8 people, was established in Kars. Under the presidency of the Provisional President Fahrettin Bey, the government members were Hayrullah from Yedikilise village of Sarıkamış, Ahund's son Taki Karaçantalı from Erivan, Hacıoğlu Ahmet Ali Afzal, İsrafil Behçet, and Vafyadin on behalf of the Greeks. Within 15 days, a congress was opened with delegates from other places. The new government was established as follows:

1. President of the Government: İbrahim Bey Cihangiroğlu

2. Member of the Government: Hasan Bey Cihangiroğlu

3. Member of the Government: Dr. Esat Bey

4. Member of the Government: Kelbayı Memed Bey from Akbaba

5. Member of the Government: Ahmet Bey Karaçantalı

6. Member of the Government: Ali Rıza Bey (Ataman) from Kağızman

7. Member of the Government: Taki Bey from Erivan

8. Member of the Government: Fahrettin Bey from Sarıkamış

9. Member of the Government: Mehmet, son of Ali Bey from Iğdır

10. Member of the Government: Molla Bilal from Oltu

11. Member of the Government: Emin from Borçalı

12. Member of the Government: Hasan Ağa, son of Maksut Ağa, from the Cemaldinallı tribal chiefs

13. Member of the Government: Yusuf Bey from Gümrü

Ahundoğlu provided the necessary financial aid. The following names were appointed to the districts affiliated with Kars province by the council:

District Governors:

1. Hüseyin Han Talınlı, son of Pasha Han

2. Rasim Vakiroğlu Ahmet, son of Hemişoğlu

3. Aslan, son of Kadıoğlu"

(This information is taken from the October 30, 1952 issue of the DİL newspaper published by the late Mecit Hun.)

One day, Hüseyin Bey looked very unwell. "Sir, what's wrong?" I asked. "Hamza, don't even ask what happened to me! This morning I was going to the garden toilet. Suddenly, a snake raised its head from among the grass and looked at me. I stopped in my tracks in fear. The snake didn't move either. As I slowly stepped back, the snake moved towards me as if chasing me. I stopped again. It stopped too. Apparently, it wouldn't let me go to the toilet. My fear increased even more, so I panicked and ran away. When I looked back, the snake had disappeared. But I couldn't go to the toilet out of fear. What will become of me?" he complained.

We immediately hired a scythe-man and had the grass leading to the toilet thoroughly cleared. In the evenings, to make the area bright, we erected an electric lamp in the middle of the garden. Despite all our efforts, it could not be said that Hüseyin Bey had overcome his fear. Apparently, this stubborn snake had instilled fear in Hüseyin Bey's heart and completely disturbed him.

THE DEATH OF HÜSEYİN HAN BEY

One evening, Kerim Ağa sent me a message, saying, "Bring a doctor. Han Emmi is very ill." There was a government doctor named Rahmi Uluhan. Without losing time, I took Dr. Rahmi Uluhan, an immigrant from the town of Uluhan, affiliated with Erivan, and went to Han Emmi. Han Emmi said he was very distressed and his heart was tightening. Dr. Uluhan carefully examined Han Emmi, gave him an injection, and left.

Kerim Ağa and I sat on either side of Han Emmi's bed and stayed with him. Han Emmi knew he was going to die. At one point, he opened his eyes faintly and said, "Turn my face towards the window." We moved the bed with difficulty and turned it towards the window. Kerim Ağa, as if it suddenly occurred to him, said, "I think Han Emmi meant, 'Turn my face towards the Qibla!'" This time, we turned his face towards the Qibla. Han Emmi lived for another hour and then passed away.

We made an inventory of the items found in Han Emmi's pockets and wallet. On one of the small notes found in his wallet, there was the following note:

Linen is good

To wear, linen is good

To wander, a foreign land

To die, the homeland is good

We brought a hoca to perform the last rites for Han Emmi. We prepared a section in a corner of the "Birlik" garden where the washing board was kept. I had gone to the shop to buy soap. The shopkeeper took a "Lüks" brand soap from the shelf and handed it to me:

"May he be blessed, such a man! Only with such a soap should he be washed." He also refused the money I offered.

Han Emmi's friends in Kars, upon hearing the news of his death, came to Iğdır to take the body. The people of Iğdır carried this sacred body on their shoulders for two kilometers, sending it off from Kars Street. May God have mercy on his soul.

"MAY THE ROCK OF TALIN FALL ON YOUR BACK!"

"Talın" is the name of a place near the towns of Tovuz, Kazak, and Kesemen in Azerbaijan. It is famous for its rocks. For this reason, when people in this region get angry with each other, they would complain by saying, "May the rock of Talın fall on your back!" This idiom is still used in daily life in Ganja province.

In 1998, I traveled to Georgia and Azerbaijan. We were guests in a house in the city of Ganja, Azerbaijan. As is customary, when you visit from Turkey, neighbors would learn where you came from, and those who wanted to ask about relatives and acquaintances they had been separated from for years would flock to the house and question you.

A neighbor lady came to visit. After exchanging pleasantries, she opened a carefully carried folder under her arm and took out an old, yellowed photograph. With tearful eyes and a heavy heart, she handed me the photo and said, "These are my relatives! All of them live in Kars now."

When I took the photo, I recognized Han Emmi at first glance. Half-astonished, I said, "Oh! This is Hüseyin Tanlı Bey!" When I said this name, the neighbor woman came a little closer to me and, with a tearful voice, said, "So you saw Hüseyin Bey!" Thereupon, I summarized our friendship with Hüseyin Bey and what I knew about his experiences. The old woman was very happy with my explanation.

"Do you also know his daughter, Ayhan Hanım?" she asked. "Of course, I know her," I said, "Ayhan Hanım is the wife of the former Kars Deputy Abdülkerim Doğru Bey, whom we love and respect very much. They live in Ankara."

The woman was extremely pleased with all these explanations. She invited us to her house, but we didn't have time. She pressed a gift into my hand to give to Ayhan Hanım. We said goodbye to the old woman with a heavy heart and left.

ON THE OCCASION OF IĞDIR'S LIBERATION (NEWSPAPER ARTICLE)

DİL NEWSPAPER OWNER: MECİT HUN OCTOBER 30, 1952

Upon the initiative of Fahrettin (Erdoğan) Bey, the KARS NATIONAL COUNCIL GOVERNMENT, consisting of 8 people, was established in Kars on November 15, 1918. Under the presidency of the Provisional President Fahrettin Bey, the government members were Hayrullah İravanlı from Yedikilise village of Sarıkamış, Ahund's son Taki Karaçantalı, Hacıoğlu Ahmet, Ali, Afzal İsrafil, Behçet, and Vafyadin on behalf of the Greeks.

Within 15 days, a congress was opened with delegates from other places.

The new government was established as follows:

President of the Government: Cihagiroğlu İbrahim

Government members: Cihangiroğlu Hasan Bey, Dr. Esat Bey, Akbabalı Kelbay Mehmet, Karaçantalı Ahmet Bey, Kağızmanlı Ali Rıza Bey (Ali Ataman), İravanlı Taki Bey, Sarıkamışlı Fahrettin Bey, Mehmet Bey, son of Ali Bey from Iğdır, Oltulu Molla Bilal, Borçalılı Emin, Hasan Ağa, son of Maksut Ağa, from the Camaldinanlı tribal chiefs, and Yusuf Bey from Gümrü. Ahundoğlu provided the necessary financial aid.

Hüseyin Han, son of Pasha Han (Hüseyin Talınlı), Rasim, son of Hemşioğlu, Ahmet, son of Şakir, Aslan, son of Kadı, and Bekir in Sarıkamış were appointed as district governors.

After the Kars National Islamic Council began its activities in this way, activities also started in the Sürmeli pit. The tribal people began to arm themselves to defend themselves and fight against the Armenians. Previously, the attempts of Hasan Bey Vezirof, Ali Mirza, and Ali Ekber from the Mazanoğulları of Melekli to bring weapons from Baku were thwarted by Vezirof's death on the way and the confiscation by the Armenians. Sufficient weapons were obtained from Kars and its surroundings, and unofficial but organized gangs began to form. The Celâli tribe (about 1000 people on foot and horseback) under the command of Ali Mirza, and the Zilan tribe (800 people on foot and horseback) under the command of Hamit Bey, son of Şemsettin, began to gather.

The Armenians completed their attack preparations and attacked the National Council region from the north. At that time, Hüseyin Bey Talınlı, who was very young but brave, not only prevented Armenian forces from entering the Kızılçakçak position but also defended Arpaçay with the cavalry forces he sent. However, the wrong policy of the National Council had united the Georgians and Armenians. Despite Hüseyin Han's good assessment of the situation, the decision of many government officials, including the head of government, to go to war with the Georgians was considered the first failure. The soldiers from Akbaba and Şüregel under Hüseyin Han's command fought seriously. However, the ignorant actions of Hasan Han, who was acting as the Minister of War, were undermining Hüseyin Han's activities. Hüseyin Han had completely armed his forces by stealing a significant amount of ammunition and weapons from the British. While the continuous attacks of the Armenians and Georgians on the borders of the National Council were rendered fruitless by the resistance of the local armed people, on the other hand, the Turks launched an attack around Ardahan and cleared the Georgians from Ahıska by the end of 1918. At this time, the British military representative insisted that there could not be a government called the National Council, and if it was a local government, it needed further reform. With this consideration, the National Council held a meeting on the evening of January 1, 1919, and changed its name to the PROVISIONAL NATIONAL GOVERNMENT OF THE SOUTHWESTERN CAUCASUS, including Nakhchivan and Batum, and İbrahim Bey Cihangiroğlu was again elected as the head of government. For the Interior Ministry, İbrahim Bey remained in charge; Fahrettin Bey for Foreign Affairs; Hasan Han Bey for War; Abbasali Bey for Justice; Mikhail Andyanof from the Greeks for Education; Mehmet Bey, son of Hududad, for Finance; Engineer Mahmut Bey for Public Works; Aliekber Bey for Agriculture; and Arior from the Greeks for Post and PTT. These names were immediately reported to British military representative Colonel Tamperli in Kars. Later, Muhlis Bey was appointed instead of the PTT representative, the Greek girl Arior, and İbrahim Bey was entrusted with the Interior Ministry (with Ali Rıza Bey). At this time, General Thomson, acting with the well-known British policy, reneged on his word and declared that the 1914 border, up to the Aras River, was given to the Armenians, and thus Greater Armenia was officially formed. Finally, Armenian attacks began from all sides. The borders of Ardahan and Kızılçakçak were fortified. The British decided to use another tactic instead of warfare and, on April 19, applied to the government (National Council) with the desire to meet the government officials. The government members, who could not comprehend where this was leading, were both pleased and agreed to this action. Finally, on the same day, a meeting ground was prepared in the parliament building, and all government officials were summoned and made to wait for the arriving British representative. A little later, when the meeting began inside, the parliament was surrounded from outside, and thus all National Council officials were arrested, and this local administration was ended. The arrested government officials were exiled to Malta. Ali Rıza Bey from Kağızman, finding an opportunity to escape from Batum before going to Malta, came to Kağızman and began fighting the Armenians again.

TALINLI HÜSEYİN HAN PASSED AWAY (NEWSPAPER ARTICLE)

(DİL NEWSPAPER OWNER: MECİT HUN NOVEMBER 21, 1952 ISSUE:48)

Hüseyin Han, son of Pasha Han Talınlı, supervisor of the Iğdır Cotton Agricultural Sales Cooperatives Union, passed away from a heart attack after midnight last night.

The deceased was from a very noble and pure family. He was one of the Talın khans, whose lands are now outside the national borders, and his entire life was spent in the national struggle. While still very young, he came to Kars as an immigrant and participated in the National Council movement that began in Kars at that time.

In the early days of the establishment, Hüseyin Han, who was sent to the Kızılçakçak area as district governor, succeeded in gathering the national forces there in a short time and, with his continuous efforts, fortified the Kızılçakçak front. Following the dissolution of the National Council by the British military command and the exile of its founders to Malta, Hüseyin Han was also arrested two days later and sent to Batum. Talınlı, who managed to escape from Batum after a while, returned to Kars and continued his struggle.

The deceased Talınlı was always loved and respected in Kars. After the establishment of the Republic, he seriously performed his duties as the President of the Kars Community Center, a member of the provincial general assembly, and a member of permanent commissions for a long time.

Due to the heart disease that had recently appeared, he preferred Iğdır and was appointed as a supervisor by the Ministry of Commerce to the Iğdır Cotton Agricultural Sales Cooperatives Union. There is no doubt that Hüseyin Han Talınlı, who earned the respect of everyone, young and old, during his stay in Iğdır, will always remain in our hearts as Kars's most beloved and valuable son.

May he rest in peace. Since his relatives and family in Kars were notified by telegram, the funeral will be held today at 3 PM with the participation of his relatives coming from Kars. It is natural that the people of Iğdır will duly perform their last duty to this revered deceased. On behalf of all Iğdır, we extend our condolences to the Talınlı family.

DİL NEWSPAPER OWNER: MECİT HUN (NEWSPAPER ARTICLE)

WRITTEN BY: TURGUT SUNGAR NOVEMBER 23, 1952

BEHIND YOU

(This article was written by Turgut Sungar due to the death of Hüseyin Han Talınlı and published in the DİL newspaper.)

I address you in the language of the people of Iğdır. Your life was such a definitive refutation for those who understood life as a combination of many meaningless and base forces. Your death, on the other hand, is a great witness to the eternity of the ideal.

A little while ago, as we lowered your sacred body from our shoulders to transport it to Kars, all of us had tears in our eyes and sorrow in our hearts, in the grief of your physical separation from us.

As we carried your coffin, adorned with the ripe and colorless flowers of autumn, we once again understood how merciless and bitter death is.

May your soul never be troubled by the thought that you died in a foreign land. Rest in peace. All the people of Iğdır feel great sorrow at your untimely death. All of us cried, and are crying, for you.

I met you as a result of a fortunate coincidence. With your personality that instilled trust, your maturity, and your culture, you very quickly captivated Iğdır and its people.

You are a symbol of patriotism and conscientiousness. I cannot describe or explain you. I wish I had the power of the Indian philosopher Tagore's pen to write down the feelings and thoughts I cannot express for you.

May your soul be joyful, and your place be in heaven!

As Ziya Gökalp said, "Individuals are mortal, but nations are the secret of eternity."

Dear Deceased! I now fall silent to perform my last duty of respect in your spiritual presence.

(TO BE CONTINUED)

IN THE NEXT ARTICLE, WE WILL MEET CENGİZ EKİNCİ