The article discusses the role of the "gachag movement (a form of rebel movement of fugitives)" in the formation of national self-consciousness in the north of Azerbaijan, the reasons for its occurrence, an appreciation of their struggle against the russian imperial regime and against the dishonesty of local oppressors by this regime, explores the causes of popular love, praise, protection and the creation of heroic epics about them. The article reveals the special activities of such famous fugitives who gained respect among ordinary people for their courage in the second half of the 19th and early 20th centuries, us Gachag Nyabi from Gubadli (in the former Zangezur district), Dely Alu and Gambar from Ganja, Suleiman, Murtuza and Mamed-Bek Cavalier from Karabakh, Yusif from Zagatala, Karim Efendi oglu Gutgashenli from Nukha, Gachag Karim from Gazakh and the woman Gachag Gulsum from Shamkir popularly known as “Gachag Suleiman”. The article emphasizes not only the national character of the "gachag movement" in Azerbaijan, but also their contribution to the formation of national self-consciousness to a greater extent than the role of thinkers of that time. Key words: North Azerbaijan, national identity, the Russian imperial regime, the "gachag movement", the occupation of Russian imperia, the 19th century, the struggle, local beks (nobles), gentlemen (little nobles)