Azerbaijan Democratic Republic: First Democratic State in the Muslim East

The Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, proclaimed on 28 May 1918, became the first state in the Muslim world to establish a parliamentary democratic republic. This historic event laid the foundation for Azerbaijan’s modern statehood traditions.

The Republic became the first Muslim state to grant women the right to vote - this occurred even before some Western countries. In 1919, women gained full suffrage rights.

Baku State University was established in 1919, laying the foundation for modern higher education in the region. The national education system prioritised education in the Azerbaijani language.

Important steps were taken in urban planning: the planning of new residential districts, infrastructure development, and the construction of public buildings began. The foundation for Baku's development as a modern city was laid during this period.

During the Republic period, state support programmes for the development of national culture, literature, and the arts were implemented. The foundations of national theatre, opera, and ballet traditions were established. The Republic, which existed for 23 months, played an invaluable role in Azerbaijan’s modern statehood history.