Haci Mahmud Afandi's house is situated at
the west end of Aslanbeyli village. The house creates a
complex together with the mosque and guest house in the
vicinity. The house has an appearance typical of rich
villagers' estate in the XIX and early XX centuries.
Haji Mahmud Afandi Garani (1835-1896) was born in Aslanbeyli
village. He received a higher religious education in Turkey.
Returning to his native village, he continued his activities
as a religious leader and educator. He acted as a spiritual
leader, teacher and defender of the common people. Being a
disciple and follower of the great Sufi poet Seyid Nigari,
he built a big mosque on the grave of his teacher in
the Turkish city of Amasia. The mosque is
preserved to this day. Fearing the growing influence of Haji
Mahmud Afandi among the people, the Russian tsarist
government accused him of the support of Chechen rebel
Sheikh Shamil, and took him into custody. But after keeping
him in prison for some time, authorities were forced to
release the spiritual father of the nation. After the death
in 1896 Haji Mahmud Afandi was buried in his native village.
His tomb and the house is still revered and is a place of
pilgrimage.
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