Ismail Khan Ehsan Khan oghlu Nakhchivanski was born on January 5, 1819 in the family of one of the Nakhchivan khans, the famous Major General Ehsan khan Nakhchivan.

Ismail Khan  Nakhchivanski received his first education in the palace of his father Ehsan Khan and learned the Persian language perfectly. Later, his father took him to study in Tiflis and sent him at the Noble Gymnasium. Ismail Khan received his secondary education in this gymnasium.

In 1839, he graduated from the Tbilisi military gymnasium, and a year later received the rank of lieutenant. By order of the Commander-in-Chief, from March 3, 1845, he served in the cavalry unit of the Separate Caucasian Corps.

After the death of his father, Ismail Khan was appointed head of his clan and the Kengerly cavalry. An Order about this was issued on September 19, 1847. On August 23, 1848, Russian Tsar Nicholay I, taking into account the military merits of his father Ehsan Khan, assigned his sons Ismail Khan, Kelbali Khan and daughter Lalabeim a high pension.

For successful military service, Ismail Khan was awarded the rank of captain on February 5, 1853. In 1853, the military units of the Kengerli cavalry were abolished. For this reason, on July 8, 1953, Ismail Khan was again sent to military service in the Separate Caucasian Corps. On November 10, 1853, Ismail Khan was appointed head of the troops of the Irevan Bek squad. On 1 May 1854, he was also appointed assistant commander of the 4th Muslim Cavalry Regiment. Ismail Khan led the 4th Muslim Cavalry Regiment as part of the Irevan detachment as an assistant commander until December 5, 1854.

On August 4, 1855, Ismail Khan was awarded the rank of captain for excellent military service and he was transferred to the Cossack regiment of His Majesty's Palace Guard.

For military distinctions, on April 3, 1860, Ismail Khan was awarded the rank of colonel. On May 5, 1877, Ismail Khan was appointed commander of the Irevan Cavalry Irregular Regiment. He was a participant in the Russian-Turkish war of 1877-1878. From May 5, 1877 to January 28, 1878, he was commander of the Irevan Cavalry Irregular Regiment.

On December 19, 1877, Ismail Khan, who showed courage, devotion and high combat skill during the siege of the Beyazid fortress, was awarded the military rank of major general.

On January 28, 1878, Ismail Khan Nakhchivanski was relieved of his post as commander of the Irevan Cavalry Irregular Regiment and transferred to the disposal of the Caucasian Army. On October 28, 1890, by order of the Russian Tsar, celebrations were held in Nakhchivan on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of his military activity.

For his high leadership abilities in the army of the Russian Empire and on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of military service, on October 28, 1890, Ismail Khan was awarded the military rank of lieutenant general of the cavalry army. Ismail Khan Nakhchivanski was dismissed from the army on August 18, 1908.

Ismail Khan was awarded 5 medals of the Russian Empire: silver “For the passage of the Emperor through the Caucasus in 1837”, light bronze “In memory of the war of 1853–1856”, light bronze “In memory of the war of 1877–1878”, silver “In memory of the reign of Emperor Alexander III” and silver “In memory of the reign of Emperor Nicholay I”.

Lieutenant General Ismail Khan Nakhchivanski was awarded the following orders: the Order of St. Stanislav, III degree (1856), on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of military service, the Order of St. Vladimir, IV degree (1867), the Order of St. George, IV degree (1877) , Order of St. Vladimir, III degree (1883), Order of St. Stanislav, I degree (1888).

Ismail Khan Nakhchivanski died on February 10, 1909 in Nakhchivan.

Recommended literature:

1. Azərbaycan generalları : kataloq = Генералы Азербайджана : каталог / Azərbaycan Milli Elmlər Akademiyası, Azərbaycan Tarixi Muzeyi ; tərt. Z. Dulayeva [et al.] ; elmi red. N. M. Vəlixanlı. - Bakı : Elm, 2005. - 190 s.
2. Hacıyev, İsmayıl Muxtar oğlu. Naxçıvan və naxçıvanlılar / İ. M. Hacıyev, Ş. A. Məmmədov ; elmi red. V. Piriyev ; red. İ. Cəfərov. - Bakı : Elm, 2001. - 280 s.
3. Naxçıvan ensiklopediyası : 2 cilddə / Y. İ. Axundlu [et al.] ; red. heyəti: B. Ə. Budaqov [et al.] ; bur. məsul V. Y. Talıbov ; AMEA Naxçıvan bölməsi. II cild. - Təkmilləşmiş və yenidən işlənmiş II nəşri. - Naxçıvan : Naxçıvan Ensiklopediyası, 2005. - 380 s.
4. Naxçıvan tarixi : 3 cilddə / red. heyəti İ. M. Hacıyev [et al.]. II cild : XVIII əsrin 40-cı illərindən XX əsrin 30-cu illərinin sonunadək. - Naxçıvan : Əcəmi NPB, 2014. - 528 s.