Hadji Murád · Chapter
XI explained
On the fifth day of Hadji Murád's stay in Tiflis, Lóris-Mélikov visits him at the Viceroy's command to record his life story for the Emperor.
What happens
On the fifth day of Hadji Murád's stay in Tiflis, Lóris-Mélikov visits him at the Viceroy's command to record his life story for the Emperor. Hadji Murád begins his narrative, recounting his birth in Tselméss, his mother's refusal to nurse the Khan's son and the wound she received from his father, his childhood memories, and his early involvement with the Khans of Khunzákh. He describes the rise of Muridism under Kazi-Mullá and Hamzád, his visit to Tiflis with Umma Khan, and the treacherous murder of the Khans by Hamzád and Shamil, which filled him with shame and fear, a shame he has never forgotten.
Themes in this chapter
Honor and Betrayal
Hadji Murád recounts the betrayal of the Khans by Hamzád, who invited them under false pretenses and murdered them, highlighting the theme of treachery.
Family and Sacrifice
Hadji Murád's mother sacrifices her own safety to nurse him, and the Khansha sends her sons to their deaths, illustrating familial bonds and tragic choices.
Religious Faith and Fatalism
The Murid movement's call to Ghazavát (holy war) and the dying murid's exhortation to Hadji Murád to join reflect the role of religious faith in the conflict.
Characters to notice
- Hadji Murád
Narrates his life story to Lóris-Mélikov, recounting his childhood, his mother's sacrifice, and the murder of the Khans by Hamzád and Shamil.
- Lóris-Mélikov
The Viceroy's aide-de-camp, who visits Hadji Murád to record his story for the Emperor, speaking fluent Tartar.
- Shamil
Mentioned as being beside Hamzád during the encounter with the Khans, and later as the one who threw Bulách Khan over the precipice.
- Khan Mahomá
Not directly present, but referenced as Umma Khan, the sworn brother of Hadji Murád, who was killed by Hamzád.
- Abu Nutsal Khan
The eldest Khan, foster-brother to Hadji Murád's brother Osman, who was killed fighting the murids after being betrayed by Hamzád.
- Hamzád
The Imam who succeeded Kazi-Mullá, who treacherously murdered the Khans and is a central figure in Hadji Murád's story.
- Patimát
Hadji Murád's mother, who nursed the Khans and was wounded by his father; she is now in Shamil's hands.
Key passages
“My head and my hands are glad to serve the Sirdar”
I am eager and willing to serve the Viceroy.
Hadji Murád expresses his readiness to cooperate with Lóris-Mélikov.
“a woman has as much sense in her head as an egg has hair”
Women are foolish and lack good judgment.
Hadji Murád criticizes the Khansha's decision to send her son, reflecting cultural attitudes toward women.
“Since then I have always remembered that shame, and when I recalled it I feared nothing!”
The memory of that shameful fear has made me fearless ever since.
Hadji Murád explains how his fear during the Khans' murder transformed into a lifelong courage.