Samad bey Sadykhbey oghlu Mehmandarov (16 October 1855 – 12 February 1931) was an Azerbaijani General of the Artillery in the Imperial Russian Army and served as Minister of Defense of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic of 1918-1920.

Samad bey Mehmandarov was born on October 16, 1855 in Lankaran, Azerbaijan in a noble family originally from Shusha. He graduated from 2^nd Constantine Military School in St. Petersburg in 1875 and was conferred the rank of podporuchik and assigned to 1^st Turkestan artillery brigade. In the course of military service he was promoted to poruchik in 1877 and seconded two years later to 2^nd artillery brigade in St. Petersburg.

In 1885 shtabs-kapitan Mehmandarov was assigned to 38^th artillery brigade in the Caucasus, where he served 9 years. In 1894, 38^th artillery brigade was transferred to Poland, where he became a member of court martial. In 1898, captain Mehmandarov was promoted to lieutenant-colonel and appointed the commander of 1^st battery of 3^rd artillery battalion. The same year, Mehmandarov’s battery was moved to Transbaikal region and took part in China Relief Expedition in 1901. For the services in battle Mehmandarov was conferred the rank of colonel. In 1903 he completed a course in Tsarskoye Selo Officer’s Artillery College.

When the Russo-Japanese War broke out in 1904, Mehmandarov was appointed the commander of 7^th Eastern Siberia artillery battalion. During the siege of Port Arthur he was the commander of the Eastern Front Artillery. For the services in battle he was promoted to major general and decorated with the Order of Saint George of IV degree. After the capitulation of the fortress the garrison was in Japanese captivity. When Japanese commanders allowed the captured Russian officers to return home in exchange to signing an obligation not to fight against Japan, Mehmandarov refused and preferred to stay with his soldiers.

Upon his return from captivity Mehmandarov was appointed the commander of 7^th East Siberian Artillery Brigade in 1906, and became the commander of 3^rd Siberian Army Corps artillery a year later. In 1908, he was conferred the rank of lieutenant-general. In 1910, he was appointed the commander of 1^st Caucasus Division; in 1913 he became the commander of 21^st Infantry Division and in this position entered World War I within 3^rd Caucasus Army Corps. Under Mehmandarov’s command the division earned the reputation of one of the best in the Russian Army, and 81^st Apsheron and 83^rd Samur regiments especially distinguished themselves. He was decorated with the Order of Saint George of III degree for the battles of 27-29 September 1914, and Saint George Sword decorated with diamonds for the battle near Ivangorod on 14 February 1915. The latter was a very rare military award, only eight Russian commanders received it during the entire course of the World War I.

On December 11, 1914 Mehmandarov was appointed the commander of 2^nd Caucasus Army Corps. Mehmandarov’s corps was engaged in the fiercest battles with German troops and during the whole war had not surrendered to the enemy a single piece of ordnance. On 22 March 1915 Samad bey Mehmandarov was promoted to the rank of the General of the Artillery. He was decorated with British, French and Romanian orders.

After the February Revolution in Russia Mehmandarov resigned and left for Baku. With the establishment of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic in 1918, Samad bey Mehmandarov became the third and last Minister of Defense of Azerbaijan. He held this position until 11^th Red Army troops invaded Azerbaijan in 1920. After the fall of the national government and establishment of Soviet rule in Azerbaijan Mehmandarov was arrested, but he was released two months later. He taught in military schools and was an advisor to the Commissariat of Military and Naval Forces of the Azerbaijan SSR until his retirement in 1928.

Samad bey Mehmandarov died on February 12, 1931 in Baku.