Agha Musa Naghiev Karbala’i—The Man and His Multiple Identities: Between National-Azerbaijani, Shi‘i Muslim, and Bahá’í Religious Identities

Aqa Musa Naghiev Karbala’i (1849–1919)—an oil magnate from Baku and a significant figure in the modern history of Azerbaijan—and his multiple identities are focus this article. Alongside National-Azerbaijani identity, Naghiev’s religious identity was divided between Shi‘i Muslim Bahá’í identities. The circumstances which born raised, lived, especially during adulthood—as who had converted to Baha’i faith, living among majority population were generally alien Baha’is—dictated, at times, need carefully maneuver these two principle hikmat provided with appropriate means for lifetime. problem, however, is way has been engineered presented Azerbaijan’s national historical consciousness as an Azerbaijani-Muslim, concealing spite public activities Baha’is community, included financing building Spiritual Assembly (Ruhanie) being chairman its management committee. In article, I explain complex picture through use primary (documents private archives, interviews) secondary sources.