Zakir was probably born in 1786 in a noble family of beys (lords, chiefs) in Panahabad (modern-day Shusha), then the capital of the Karabakh Khanate.

[1] Through his satirical poetry, Zakir vigorously rebuked the religious fanaticism of the clergy (mullahs) as well as the corruption and misrule by the local aristocracy (beyzadehs) and the Tsarist officials.

These works, written in masterful verse, were addressed to influential fellow countrymen such as Mirza Fatali Akhundov and the first Azerbaijani novelist Ismayil bek Kutkashensky, who had achieved a high rank in the Imperial Russian Army.

[1] Zakir's fables in verse were written in the then-common oriental tradition first attested in Kalila wa-Dimna; however, they may have also been influenced by Ivan Krylov's (1768–1844) adaptations.

Today Zakir's literary legacy has been preserved in verses ranging from sharply critical satire to the tender lyrics praising pure and passionate love.