<figure><img src="image_370.png" /><figcaption>METZ SHULAVER (GEORGIA). A tombstone (1798) dedicated to an Armenian from Metz Gharamurat buried in the village cemetery</figcaption></figure>

transl.: May you pray for Gharamurat inhabitant Panos, who contributed to the repairs of the church in perpetuation of his parents' and his memory.<fnref n="307" />

## MORUKHLU

The village is situated on the west-facing slope of a gorge lying on the right bank of the river Legharak, 18 kilometres north of the district centre ("...the villages of Samanlu and Merekhlu, that lay on the edge of the slope, on the right bank of the river").<fnref n="308" />

By 1890 the village, which had been stripped of its Armenian population in the 1770s, had become a place of permanent residence for some stock-breeders of Turkish origin.

## MUSAYAL

The village lies 6 kilometres south-west of the district centre, between 1,580 and 1,670 metres of altitude above sea level.

The site of the Armenian village (its historical name is consigned to oblivion), stripped of its population in the 1770s, was later inhabited by some Turkish stock-breeders who shifted to a sedentary life and founded the present-day settlement in the late 19th century.

In 1914 the local people amounted to 585.<fnref n="309" />

## NOVO-GORELOVKA
(ERENETSIK, ARTAP, ARTAPA)

**Location.** The village extends in the area of the source of the Artapa, the right tributary of the river Jagir, 11.5 kilometres north-east of the district centre, at an altitude of 1,590 to 1,660 metres above sea level.

**A Historical Introduction.** Before the 17th century, it was known by the name of Erenetsik.<fnref n="310" />

Its second historical name, 'Artap,' is mentioned in 1691 in connection with the struggle between Aghvank Catholicoses Simon and Yeremia. Head of the village Tahir and the local priests swore an oath of loyalty to the latter, signing a "Document of Agreement" together with other representatives of the religious and secular powers ("My priests and I, village head of Artap Tahi, give our consent to this").<fnref n="311" />

The village preserved its Armenian **population** until the '70s of the 18th century. In the 1840s, it sheltered some Russian Dukhobors who founded the settlement of Novo-Goreloye (Novo-Gorelovka) there. Part of them, about 19 families, moved to the newly-established region of Kars in the '80s of the 19th century.<fnref n="312" />

The available scanty statistical data regarding the number of the local inhabitants represent the following picture:

<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Houses</th><th>Males</th><th>Females</th><th>Total</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1886<sup>313</sup></td><td>61</td><td>236</td><td>238</td><td>474</td></tr><tr><td>1894<sup>314</sup></td><td>50</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1908<sup>315</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>520</td></tr><tr><td>1914<sup>316</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>743</td></tr></tbody></table>

In the 1980s, the village had a mixed population of Russians and Azerbaijanis, who amounted to 404 in 1983.<fnref n="317" />

During our visit to Novo-Goreloye in 1980, we saw the meagre remnants of its Armenian **cemetery**, whose tombstones represented undressed blocks of stone.

## NOVO-IVANOVKA (AGHKILISA)

**Location.** The village is situated 22 kilometres west of the district centre, at an altitude of 1,320 to 1,460 metres above sea level.

**The Origin of the Toponym.** The historical name of Novo-Ivanovka has fallen into oblivion. Before the arrival of the Russian resettlers, some cattle-breeders called it Aghkilisa, i.e. the Turkish equivalent for 'White Church' deriving from a large church standing there.

**Population.** Stripped of its Armenian inhabitants in the 1770s, the village remained absolutely derelict for about seven decades. It was only in 1853 that some Russian sectarians from Tambov and Saratov Provinces of the Russian Empire and Jiban Village of Shamakhi District settled down there.<fnref n="318" />

<footnote n="307">³⁰⁷ Corpus Inscriptionum Armenicarum, part 4. Compiled by **Bar-khudarian, S.** Yerevan, 1973 (henceforward: Corpus..., part 4), p. 250.</footnote>

<footnote n="308">³⁰⁸ **S. Kamalian** Fund, copy-book No. 1, VI-11, p. 17.</footnote>

<footnote n="309">³⁰⁹ Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 162.</footnote>

<footnote n="310">³¹⁰ **Lalayan, Yer.** Gandzak District, pp. 356-357.</footnote>

<footnote n="311">³¹¹ "Ararat," 1900, p. 320.</footnote>

<footnote n="312">³¹² **Abelov, N. A.**, op. cit., p. 21.</footnote>

<footnote n="313">³¹³ A Statistical Survey..., pp. 86-87; **Lalayan, Yer.**, idem, p. 357.</footnote>

<footnote n="314">³¹⁴ "Ardzagank," 1894, No. 104, p. 2.</footnote>

<footnote n="315">³¹⁵ Caucasian Calendar for 1910, p. 335.</footnote>

<footnote n="316">³¹⁶ Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 163.</footnote>

<footnote n="317">³¹⁷ SAE, vol. 7, Baku, 1983, p. 281.</footnote>

<footnote n="318">³¹⁸ **Lalayan, Yer.**, idem, p. 358.</footnote>
The available scanty statistical data regarding the number of the local population represent the following picture:

<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Houses</th><th>Males</th><th>Females</th><th>Total</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1886<sup>319</sup></td><td>144</td><td>542</td><td>404</td><td>946</td></tr><tr><td>1914<sup>320</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>1,697</td></tr><tr><td>1983<sup>321</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>1,631</td></tr></tbody></table>

The neighbourhood of the village retains different cyclopean structures.

## NOVO-SARATOVKA (PENTEKHLU)

**Location.** The village lies in the basin of the upper course of the river Zakam, on the left bank of its left tributary Mamajan, 20 kilometres west of the district centre, between 1,200 and 1,280 metres of altitude above sea level.

**Population.** Most presumably, it was stripped of its Armenian residents in the 1770s.

In the 1840s, the site of the abandoned village (its historical name has sunk into oblivion) provided shelter for some Russian sectarians banished from Saratov Province. In 1844 they settled in Prince Orbelian's domains in Lori (Tiflis Province), but in 1850 they moved to what is present-day Novo-Saratovka, then known by the name of Pentekhlu (Kaghnut) among the nearby Armenians and Turks.322 Supposedly, this name derives from the word 'kaghni,' i.e. the Armenian equivalent for 'oak,' as the area retained an oak wood ('kaghnut' is the Armenian equivalent for 'oak wood'):

> "...First we headed westward from the bank of the river Inagboghan, left behind a hill and found ourselves on the bank of the river Mamajan. On its left side, the Malakans' village of Pendekhlu extended east-westward. The Russians refer to it as 'Saratovka,' but the Armenians and Turks call it 'Pendekhlu,' the name probably deriving from an oak wood a little above it. Formerly, it was inhabited by the Armenians who moved away like the inhabitants of Gharamurat, unable to bear the violence perpetrated against them..."323

In the '80s of the 19th century, about 58 families of Russian sectarians moved to the newly-established region of Kars.324

The available scanty statistical data indicate that the village population almost doubled in number between the late 19th and early 20th centuries:

<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Houses</th><th>Males</th><th>Females</th><th>Total</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1886<sup>325</sup></td><td>177</td><td>591</td><td>508</td><td>1,099</td></tr><tr><td>1908<sup>326</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>1,805</td></tr></tbody></table>

<table><tr><td>1914<sup>327</sup></td><td>2,026</td></tr><tr><td>1983<sup>328</sup></td><td>2,115</td></tr></table>

Before World War II, Novo-Saratovka was a purely Russian village, but afterwards it was gradually inhabited by some stock-breeding tribes of Turkish origin. Immediately after the Armenians' deportation between 1988 and '89, almost all the local residents, who had been living there for over a century and a half, were forced to leave their homes.

The cultural heritage of the indigenous people of Novo-Saratovka includes a **church and a cemetery**. Below follows a record by S. Kamalian, who is the first topographer to have seen the historical monuments of the village: "...attested by some grave-yards and church walls seen in the village and a little far from it. In the north extends its large cemetery surrounded by kitchen gardens: the newcomers being Christians, it has been left intact. Apart from khachkars and tombstones, it also comprises some quadrangular memorials, between 3 and 5 arshins high. Almost all of them bear cross reliefs, but they are bare of any year or epitaphs; perhaps, they have been scraped away. All the memorials are erected of stone which must have been conveyed from afar, for there is no quarry in the neighbourhood of the village.

> "The local Armenian church is preserved in a semi-ruined state in the yard of a Malakan's house, at the end of a street below the cemetery. The vaults and roof of the bema are undamaged, but some stones are missing from the altar. The Malakans assured us that some Armenians from Bashkend had displaced them to use them in their newly-built church."329

As reported by M. Barkhutariants, "...the surviving monuments include a cemetery with tombstones and a stone that is quite long (3 metres). It also has a semi-destroyed church which is 18 metres long and 11 metres wide."330

An unknown source traces the church back to 1535.331 A cross-stone found nearby is known to have been erected in 1558.332

**Archaeological Monuments.** The neighbourhood of Novo-Saratovka retains a cave named *Kyoroghli* and a cyclopean structure dating from the Iron Age.

**Melikzada (Melikzata)**, a village site of a remarkable history whose original name remains obscure, is situated in the territory between Novo-Saratovka and Artzvashen.

<footnote n="319">319 A Statistical Survey..., pp. 84-85.</footnote>

<footnote n="320">320 Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 166.</footnote>

<footnote n="321">321 SAE, vol. 7, p. 282.</footnote>

<footnote n="322">322 Lalayan, Yer., idem, p. 358.</footnote>

<footnote n="323">323 S. Kamalian Fund, copy-book No. 1, VI-11, p. 33; Lalayan, Yer., idem.</footnote>

<footnote n="324">324 Abelov, N. A., op. cit., p. 21.</footnote>

<footnote n="325">325 A Statistical Survey..., pp. 86-87.</footnote>

<footnote n="326">326 Caucasian Calendar for 1910, p. 336.</footnote>

<footnote n="327">327 Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 166.</footnote>

<footnote n="328">328 SAE, vol. 7, p. 283.</footnote>

<footnote n="329">329 S. Kamalian Fund, copy-book No. 1, VI-11, pp. 33-34. In 1890 Kamalian spent a night in the house of an Armenian inhabitant of Novo-Saratovka: "For the night I stayed with a shopkeeper who was an Armenian from Gandzak. He showed me a kind hospitality" (idem, p. 34).</footnote>

<footnote n="330">330 Barkhutariants, M., Artsakh, p. 310.</footnote>

<footnote n="331">331 SAE, ibid.</footnote>

<footnote n="332">332 Lalayan, Yer., Gandzak District, p. 358.</footnote>
<figure><img src="image_371.png" /><figcaption>NOVO-SARATOVKA. Cross-stones from the cemetery of the village site of Melikzata (photos by courtesy of H. Zakarian)</figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="image_372.png" /></figure>

Arakel Davrizhetsy is the first historiographer to mention Melikzada (Melikzata) in the early 17th century, when "...Bishop Melkiset from Melikzata Village of Verin Zakam..."<fnref n="333" /> left for Persia to take up permanent residence in Isfahan together with some other people escaping the Ottoman oppression.

In 1652 Priest Hakob copied a manuscript Gospel in the village. Later M. Barkhutarians saw it in Banants' St. Grigor Lusavorich Church and published its colophon:

"...The copying of this Holy Gospel was initiated on 1 March 1652 of the Armenian era and completed on 15 April... It was written by worthless priest and unskilled scribe Hakob by the grace of Sourd Astvatzatzin, Sourd Nahatak and St. Thomas in Melikzata Village of Zakam District."<fnref n="334" />

The first people to receive that Gospel were Priest Kirakos and Melik Ovanes.

The village is also mentioned in the colophon of a Gospel (1669) kept in the church of Ghulali (Agedzor):

"My son Gabriel and I, Ovan from Melikzada, ransomed this holy Gospel from the enemy with our honestly-earned means..."<fnref n="335" />

The village was stripped of its Armenian population in the '70s of the 18th century, its inhabitants moving to Metz Shulaver:

"The territory of Pendekhlu and its neighbourhood were once occupied by the large, prospering village of Melikzata, whose residents immigrated into Shulaver in the late 18th century."<fnref n="336" />

In the late 19th century, "...The village of Melikzata, which forms part of royal possessions, belongs to the Malakans..."<fnref n="337" />

The village site retained "...a spacious cemetery and two semi-ruined churches, one larger and the other smaller."<fnref n="338" /> These sanctuaries are, indeed, Sourd Astvatzatzin (recorded as early as 1652) and St. Thomas referred to in the aforementioned colophon.

The village site of Sultanetsik (Sultane) is supposedly located on the road leading from Nor Saratovka to Artzvashen (Bash Gyugh).<fnref n="339" /> It retains the ruins of a cemetery and a small church, probable called Sourd Astvatzatzin.

The village used to be one of the most famous scriptoria in Zakam District, with a great number of manuscripts copied and illustrated there.

It is first mentioned in the colophon of a Gospel copied in 1647 by scribe Mkhitar, who was a lay person:

"The Holy Gospel was written in divine inspiration from the Holy Spirit ... in Sourd Astvatzatzin Church of Sultanetsy Village, Zakam District..."<fnref n="340" />

In 1671 scribe Mkhitar copied another two manuscripts "... at the request of kind-hearted Eve and her husband Voskan in Sourd Astvatzatzin of Sultanetsik Village, Verin Zakam, under Patriarch of Holy Gandzasar His Holiness Petros and Persian Shah Suleyman, ...this year marking widespread deaths in Verin Zakam District, where seven people died in the same family in a single day..."<fnref n="341" />

The spouses donated the manuscript to Sourd Astvatzatzin Church of Gharamurat's Koosanats Convent, but in 1729 it shifted into Melik Sargis' possession. In the 19th century, it was kept in Banants' St. Grigor Lusavorich Church, where Barkhutarians saw it and copied its colophon (at present kept in M. Mashtots Matenadaran, Yerevan, Republic of Armenia).<fnref n="342" />

<footnote n="333">³³³ Arakel Davrizhetsy, p. 63.</footnote>

<footnote n="334">³³⁴ Barkhutarians, M. Artsakh, p. 282. Republished without any changes in: Colophons, 17th century, vol. 3, p. 276.</footnote>

<footnote n="335">³³⁵ "Nor-Dar," 1888, No. 95, p. 3.</footnote>

<footnote n="336">³³⁶ S. Kamalian Fund, copy-book No. 1, VI-11, pp. 33-34.</footnote>

<footnote n="337">³³⁷ Op. cit.</footnote>

<footnote n="338">³³⁸ Barkhutarians, M., idem, p. 311.</footnote>

<footnote n="339">³³⁹ Idem, p. 310.</footnote>

<footnote n="340">³⁴⁰ Colophons, 17th century, vol. 3, p. 247.</footnote>

<footnote n="341">³⁴¹ A Catalogue of Armenian Manuscripts..., vol. 2, manuscript No. 6759.</footnote>

<footnote n="342">³⁴² Barkhutarians, M., idem, pp. 281-282.</footnote>
The other manuscript mentioned was created in 1678 for Bishop Tadevos.<fnref n="343" />

In 1709 scribes Sargis and Vardan copied another manuscript in Sultanetsik for a certain Sargis.<fnref n="344" />

An incomplete manuscript (Tpkhis, 1837), entitled *Grigor Loru-Melikian: Bank Voskiakank*, is of great importance to the history of the village. Its scribe continued it in Sultanetsik in 1844,<fnref n="345" /> which comes to attest that in the mid-19th century, it was still a prospering village. It remains obscure when exactly and for what reasons it was destroyed and left derelict.

## NOVO-SPASOVKA
(KHAVUNIS, KHUNIS)

**Location.** The village is situated in the area of the source of the Khunis, the left tributary of the river Shamkor, 9 kilometres north-east of the district centre, between 1,510 and 1,570 metres of altitude above sea level.

**A Historical Introduction.** The only record to mention its name is the colophon of a Sharaknots copied in 1655: "...The copying of this Sharaknots commenced in my native village of Papajan in Verin Zakam District. At present I am a fugitive living in Khavunis Village, which has a finely-built church named Jukhtak. This Sharaknots was completed there ... by most sinful and worthless scribe Avetis called a priest in name only."<fnref n="346" />

The name and location of this church are also mentioned in the sources of the late 19th century: "Jokhtak Church actually consists of two churches standing side by side on a wooded slope in the north-east of Nor Getabak (none of them bears any inscriptions). They are adjoined by a village site and a cemetery where no epitaphs can be found."<fnref n="347" />

**Population.** About half a century after the village had been stripped of its Armenian inhabitants ('70s of the 18th century), it was re-populated by some Russian Dukhobors who founded the settlement of Novo-Spaskoye (Novo-Spasovka) in its site (interesting as it is, it was occasionally mentioned by the name of Khunis).<fnref n="348" />

The available scanty statistical data regarding the number of the local population represent the following picture:

<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Houses</th><th>Males</th><th>Females</th><th>Total</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1886<sup>349</sup></td><td>31</td><td>108</td><td>114</td><td>222</td></tr><tr><td>1894<sup>350</sup></td><td>30</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1908<sup>351</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>232</td></tr><tr><td>1914<sup>352</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>598</td></tr></tbody></table>

In the late 1880s, 39 families left Novo-Spaskoye for the newly-established region of Kars.<fnref n="353" />

East of Jukhtak Church, not far from the village extends an ancient site called **Tandzut**, where the ruins of a village site, a cemetery and a church known by the name of St. Stepanos are preserved. The sanctuary was demolished by the Russian sectarians of Slavyanka between the ‘80s and ‘90s of the 19th century: ...The inhabitants of the adjacent village of Slavyanka have displaced its stones and carried them away so that now only the circular part of its main apse is preserved.<fnref n="354" />

The following inscription was carved "on a cross-stone set in the wall separating the southern vestry and main apse...":

Ելեղեցիս տոր Ասեկան. ես Մովսէն...:

transl.: *This church of St. Stepan. I, Movses...*

The Armenian original published in: **Barkhutariants, M.**
Artsakh, p. 315.

## ORJONIKIDZE (MREJUR)

**Location.** The village extends on the east-facing slope of a gorge lying on the left bank of the river Legharak, 17 kilometres north-west of the district centre, between 1,430 and 1,550 metres of altitude above sea level.

**A Historical Introduction.** It was stripped of its population in the 1770s, when the local residents moved to Metz Shulaver. The cemetery of this Georgian township retains the gravestone of one of them with the following epitaph:

5 lines in the Armenian original incised into a rectangular tombstone (137 x 24 x 58 centimetres):

Այս է տապան Մասերէցի Եղեազար քօսի, / որ է որդի Վարդան[ան]ի եւ ք(ն)ոն Արուրի եղապայր Սարուրէկի կամ Աղարէս, որ մայրն / Հուուումնիսի եւ հայր սա Օհսնէս քօսի / քնք(ե)րցորդ Ա(սուուա)ծ ողորմի ասէք, Ո-ՍԼԸ (1789) քլ(հն):

transl.: *In this grave reposes Yeghiazar or Aghares Kokha from Mrajur. He is Vardan[an]'s son and Arut's brother Sarubek's grandson, Hurumsim's son and Ohanes Kokha's father.*

<footnote n="343">343 A Catalogue of Armenian Manuscripts..., vol. 1, manuscript No. 968.</footnote>

<footnote n="344">344 A Catalogue of Armenian Manuscripts..., vol. 2, manuscript No. 3813.</footnote>

<footnote n="345">345 A Catalogue of Armenian Manuscripts..., vol. 2, manuscript No. 7501.</footnote>

<footnote n="346">346 Colophons, 17th century, vol. 3, p. 691.</footnote>

<footnote n="347">347 **Barkhutariants, M.**, idem, p. 315.</footnote>

<footnote n="348">348 An official statistical source of 1886 mentions both the old and new names of the village, although the former is slightly distorted into 'Khunush' (A Statistical Survey..., p. 86).</footnote>

<footnote n="349">349 Idem, pp. 86-87.</footnote>

<footnote n="350">350 "Ardzagank," 1894, No. 104, p. 2.</footnote>

<footnote n="351">351 Caucasian Calendar for 1910, p. 336.</footnote>

<footnote n="352">352 Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 166.</footnote>

<footnote n="353">353 **Abelov, N. A.**, op. cit., p. 21.</footnote>

<footnote n="354">354 **Barkhutariants, M.**, idem, p. 315.</footnote>
<figure><img src="image_373.png" /><figcaption>METZ SHULAVER (GEORGIA). A tombstone dedicated to an Armenian from Mrejur</figcaption></figure>

May those who read this pray fûr their souls.
1789.

Published for the first time.

The site of the deserted village served as a summer encampment for some cattle-breeders until its revival in the 1880s.

In 1983 it had a population of 951.355

**Historical Monuments.** In 1890 Mrejur still retained a semi-ruined church and a cemetery of some inscribed memorials. Below follows a description of this church and its neighbourhood:

> "...I lept over the wall and entered the church, hardly escaping plunging my shoes into dung, for it was thoroughly filled with animal droppings. It had preserved only part of its walls, with its door replaced by some stones. ...The font was displaced... some cross-stones bearing inscriptions beyond decipherment were set in the wall right of the altar. Two others lay on the window tympanum of the left vestry, but I did not see anything incised into them. The roofs of the sacristies were preserved intact. Some heaps of ashlar and unhewn stones could be seen both inside and around the church.

"The cemetery extending above did not have any epitaphs and only some flat stones could be seen there.

"Another grave-yard located below did not retain anything remarkable either. It mostly comprised some old, unhewn blocks of stone, some of them bearing large and small cross reliefs engraved by an unskilled hand.

"Mrejur lies in an easterly position, with the local yards occupying quite a large area and serving as hayfields.

"There is a spring a little above the church. Mrejur is situated in the east of Evokyuz Dagh, in the west of

which can be seen Korkh, the residence of Agh Melik.”356

Below follow the inscriptions found in the village church:

Carved "...on a cross-stone set in the tympanum of the window inside the bema":

ԹՎ. ՈՒՁ (1577):

transl.: *In the year 1577.*

Reference: **S. Kamalian** Fund, copy-book No. 1, VI-11, p. 18.

"Incised into a small khachkar set in the western wall," namely in the western facade of the church:

Մարհանին, ք. ՈԾ (1601):

transl.: *To Marian. 1601.*

Reference: **S. Kamalian** Fund, ibid.

Carved on a khachkar ("Written intricately on 5 small cross-stones set above the right sacristy"):

Մարգարտին, Էյպազի.

transl.: *To Margaret, Eyvaz.*

Reference: **S. Kamalian** Fund, ibid.

Incised into a cross-stone "below the window behind the altar":

Իշխան էս կանգնեցի ... սր. խաչս քարեխոս է Սարգս հոգյան:

transl.: *Ishkhan ... had this Holy Cross erected ... in memory of Sargis' soul.*

Reference: **S. Kamalian** Fund, ibid.

Engraved on one of the small khachkars "...placed horizontally on both sides of the window of the bema and bare of any year":

Մարհանին:

transl.: *To Marian.*

Reference: **S. Kamalian** Fund, ibid.

Carved on one of the cross-stones set "above the wall left of the altar":

Գբեզոր քիյ և կողսկցին Եղիարեքին:

transl.: *To Priest Grigor and his spouse Yeghisabet.*

Reference: **S. Kamalian** Fund, ibid.

Incised into a cross-stone "placed sideways":

Սր խաչս .... որդի Սելքումին:

transl.: *This Holy Cross .... son Melkum.*

Reference: **S. Kamalian** Fund, ibid.

## PARAKEND

The village is located 11 kilometres south-west of the district centre, between 1,420 and 1,480 metres of altitude above sea level.

Stripped of its Armenian inhabitants in the 1770s, it served as a summer encampment for some tribes of Turkish cattle-breeders until the early 20th century,

<footnote n="355">355 SAE, vol. 7, p. 384.</footnote>

<footnote n="356">356 **S. Kamalian** Fund, copy-book No. 1, VI-11, pp. 18-19.</footnote>
<figure><img src="image_374.png" /><figcaption>GHALAKEND (PARISOS). The mountain of the castle seen from the side of the city site of Parisos. The valley of the river Shamkor, and the city site seen from the aforementioned mountain</figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="image_375.png" /></figure>

when they shifted to a sedentary life and founded a
Turkish village in its site.

The local people amounted to 197 in 1914,<fnref n="357" /> and
1,329 in 1983.<fnref n="358" />

PARISOS (GHALAKEND)

**Location.** The village is situated on the bank of the Parisos, the left tributary of the river Shamkor, 11 kilometres south-west of the district centre.

**A Historical Introduction.** Parisos used to be the centre of a kingdom of the same name. In the early 10th century, Sahak Sevada united Gardman and Dzoraget Districts of Utik Province with his patrimony, i.e. the

district of Parnes (Parisos) and established the principal-
ity of Parisos. In the middle of the same century, his son
Senacherim declared himself king and received a crown
with a royal cape from the Byzantine Empire, which
encouraged such actions since they led to a split in the
Armenian statehood. The Bagratids of Ani had to recon-
cile themselves to the existence of the newly-founded
kingdom for a while. That, however, lasted till the peri-
od between the late 10th and early 11th centuries, when
Gagik Shahnshah (Shah of the Shahs) entered into
alliance with Emir of Gandzak Patlun and launched a
struggle against Parisos. After Senacherim's death
(1003), his throne shifted to his son Philipe, who fell vic-
tim to an inimical plot in the mid-11th century. His
assassination marked the fall of the kingdom, whose ter-
ritory later became part of the principality of Khachen.

<footnote n="357">³⁵⁷ Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 171.</footnote>

<footnote n="358">358 SAE, vol. 7, p. 460.</footnote>
<figure><img src="image_376.png" /><figcaption>GHALAKEND (PARISOS). A uni-nave church amidst the ruins of the left quarter of the city site (seen from the south-east and south).
Partial views of its pilasters and false arches</figcaption></figure>

The present-day village was founded over the ruins of the historical city site of Parisos, whose remnants were still preserved in the late 19th century: “Some densely-located yards and the vestiges of many buildings of stone and mortar can still be seen...”<fnref n="359" />

Parisos was stripped of its population in the 18th century and lay derelict until the late 1880s, when its territory became a summer encampment for some cattle-breeders.<fnref n="360" /> Later they settled down there and founded a village called *Ghalakend*, which sounds as *Berdagyugh*, i.e. *Village of Castle*, in Armenian.

Most presumably, present-day Ghalakend is identical to the village of Berdatak mentioned in “Shamkor District” in 1671 as the place where Priest Hovhannes wrote a Gospel for his parents Evaz and Pay.<fnref n="361" />

**Churches.** The topographers who visited the city site in the late 19th century are not unanimous in mentioning the number of the local churches. Thus, Kajikian writes, “Ghalakend retains the ruins of six Armenian churches, some of which were demolished by the Turks for their stones to be used in the construction of various buildings...”<fnref n="362" />

<footnote n="359">359 *Barkhutariants, M.*, idem, p. 307.</footnote>

<footnote n="360">360 “Ardzagank,” 1888, No. 7, p. 86 (“Opposite the castle extend fine pastures and meadows where nomadic Turks put up their tents in summers, enjoying this beauty...”).</footnote>

<footnote n="361">361 A Catalogue of Armenian Manuscripts..., vol. 2, manuscript No. 6645, p. 364.</footnote>

<footnote n="362">362 “Ardzagank,” 1888, No. 7, p. 86.</footnote>
<figure><img src="image_377.png" /><figcaption>GHALAKEND (PARISOS). A uni-nave church amidst the ruins of the left quarter of the city site (seen from the north and west). Its interior south-western corner; an eastward view of the interior of the monument, and a built-in-wall capital</figcaption></figure>

Barkhutarians found 11 churches there: "This ruined city site is quite large. To give an idea how populous it used to be, suffice it to mention that it retains eleven churches, three of them located on the right bank of the river (one of them standing and the other two semi-ruined), and the remaining eight ones on the left (two of them standing and six ruined). As attested by some eyewitnesses, it is not a long time since they were demolished: their foundations can still be clearly seen..."<fnref n="363" />

*The main church* of the city, built on the left bank of the river, was destroyed in the 1880s: "...they pulled it down several years ago and used its stones in the construction of some shops."<fnref n="364" />

<figure><img src="image_378.png" /><figcaption>GHALAKEND (PARISOS). The plan of the uni-nave church</figcaption></figure>

<footnote n="363">³⁶³ Barkhutarians, M., ibid.</footnote>

<footnote n="364">³⁶⁴ Op. cit.</footnote>
<figure><img src="image_379.png" /><figcaption>GHALAKEND (PARISOS). A uni-nave church on the right bank of the river Parisos (seen from the south-west, south, north-west and east). Cross reliefs carved on the main walls of the church</figcaption></figure>

The base of the church (exterior dimensions: 15 x 11.5 metres) and its “semi-circular apse” could still be seen in 1890.<fnref n="365" />

St. Hovhannes Church (exterior dimensions: 8.27 x 5.05 metres) was situated on the slope of a gorge lying on the right bank of the tributary Parisos, in the east of the city site. It comprised some monastic cells, an enclosure and a cemetery.<fnref n="366" />

Below follow the inscriptions found in the sanctuary:

Engraved on a cross-stone set in the western facade:

ԹՎ. ԾԾԵ (1106). ես Վաղադան...];

transl.: *In the year 1106 I, Vardan...*

The Armenian original published in: *Barkhutariants, M.*
Artsakh, p. 308; Corpus..., part 5, p. 271.

Carved on another cross-stone placed near the entrance:

ԹՎ. ՀԿ (1471);

transl.: *In the year 1471.*

The Armenian original published in: *Barkhutariants, M.*, ibid; Corpus..., ibid.

A little west (below) of St. Hovhannes Church stands a small chapel built of undressed stone and known by the names of *Ignavor* (the Armenian equivalent for ‘Hermit’) and *Ignavori Gerezman* (the Armenian equivalent for ‘Hermit’s Grave’) among the Armenians of the neighbourhood.<fnref n="367" /> It retains a grave-stone without an epitaph.

In the late 19th century, 2 inscribed cross-stones, located west of the main church of the city, were removed and placed below the railway line.

<footnote n="365">³⁶⁵ Op. cit.</footnote>

<footnote n="366">³⁶⁶ *Barkhutariants, M.*, idem, p. 308.</footnote>

<footnote n="367">³⁶⁷ Ibid.</footnote>
The inscriptions engraved on them are as follows:

Թվին ԶԻ (1271). յանուն Աստուծոյ ես Հայրապետ ... ւա... եղրայր Փա... կանգնեցար զխաչս յիշատակ հաւր մերոյ Խորենայ, մաւր մերոյ Շաղակկոյ ու եղրաւր մերոյ Խայումթենշայ. ով զայ զիրս կարդայ...:

transl.: In the year 1271, in the name of God ... brother Pa... I, Hayrapet, erected this cross in memory of our father Khoren, our mother Shaghakko and our brother Khayomtensha. May those who read this...

The Armenian original published in: **Barkhutariants, M.**
Artsakh, p. 307; Corpus..., ibid.

Incised into the other khachkar (dimensions: 2.75 x 1.22 metres):

Թվ. ԶԼ (1481). յանուն Աստուծոյ ես Ասոնայ կանգնեցի զխաչս ի տէրութեան ժամանակի իմյոյ յիշատակ ինձ և ծնողաց իմոց և ամուսոնյն իմյոյ Սիրունիկայ և որույոյ իմ Սարգիսայ և ղստերն իմյոյ Մամախարունայ, Նիաղհաճայ, եղրաւրն Սիրունիկայ. կանգնեցար խաչս բարեխատւութեան հոգոց մերոց: Ով կարդայ այս. Դաւիրս յիշեսցէ տա Աստուած. ցրհեց...:

transl.: In the year 1481 in the name of God, I, Sasna, erected this cross during my reign in memory of my parents, my spouse Sirunik, my son Sargis, my daughter Mamakhatun, Nepaghhaja, Sirunik's brother, and me. May it protect our souls. May those who read this remember David in their prayers...

The Armenian original published in: **Barkhutariants, M.**, ibid;
Corpus..., ibid.

During our visit to the site of Parisos in 1982, we saw only two churches there, but they do not correspond to the ones described in the available topographical works; that is the reason why we have included them in the present research work.

The first of the churches, located on an elevation on the right bank of the tributary Parisos, represents a dilapidated but still standing uni-nave, vaulted monument. It is mainly built of undressed stone and mortar, with its cornerstones roughly-finished. The only entrance of the sanctuary opens from its southern facade. Its northern wall bears some old-styled cross reliefs.

The second, larger church (exterior dimensions: 11.82 x 7.40 metres) is situated in Ghalakend Village, on the left bank of the tributary Parisos. It represents a uni-nave vaulted structure mainly built of undressed and roughly-finished stone, with a vestry on both sides of its semi-circular bema. The cornerstones, upper parts of the walls as well as the two pairs of pilasters and false arches, extending along

the inner walls, are finely-finished. The building, whose entrance opens from its northern facade, is illuminated through 4 windows, 3 of them opening from the east and 1 from the west. The ornate capitals of the pilasters stand out for their decoration. The architectural peculiarities of the church place it among the religious monuments of the 9th to 10th centuries.

The **Castle of Parisos**, that dominates the environment, towers on a lofty, rocky hill rising on the left bank of the river, in the north of the city site. The hill, which is surrounded by solid rocks in the south, imparts natural impregnability to the monument, which is otherwise also strengthened by ramparts of many towers and even double rows of fortified walls in the north and west. These ramparts, which are preserved to a height of 8 to 9 metres and are 2.5 metres thick, are built of undressed, or roughly-finished stone and mortar. The castle, whose entrance opens in the west, has more than ten semi-circular towers. The area enclosed within the ramparts retains a semi-ruined chapel and the remnants of a great number of buildings of different dimensions. In the north, the ramparts are adjoined by 2 vaulted rooms connected with each other by a common entrance. One of them used to serve as a water reservoir. As legend has it, water reached the stronghold through an underground canal: "...At the top, the castle has a reservoir whose water is received via a subterranean canal extending from afar..."<fnref n="368" />

Built between the 9th and 10th centuries, the castle of Parisos used to be one of the main strongholds of the kingdom of the same name and served as a citadel for its capital bearing the same name.

Several researchers who visited the monument in the late 19th century provide interesting records with its description. Thus, S. Kamalian, who saw it in the summer of 1890, writes: "...The village abuts on the eastern side of a limestone hill which retains the solid ramparts of a castle at its top (they have some holes and crevices). I ascended the hillside in a north-easterly direction, where limestone was extracted and loaded onto huge carts. Mounting the horses near a bridge extending in the north, we continued our way on a crooked road that bent in many places. From the foot of the hill the castle seemed impossible to reach, but 25 minutes later, we were walking around its ramparts happily and studying the stones heaped there. The hill was surrounded by a green pasture, with white layers of lime seen from below the soil and grass. The ramparts were outwardly covered with some bushes, several big oak-trees growing in their northern part. In the south,

<footnote n="368">368 Smbat M., op. cit., p. 3.</footnote>
<figure><img src="image_380.png" /></figure>

<figure><img src="image_381.png" /></figure>

<figure><img src="image_382.png" /></figure>

<figure><img src="image_383.png" /><figcaption>GHALAKEND (PARISOS). The castle seen from the north, and partial views of its fortified walls</figcaption></figure>

the hill, which was as lofty as a mountain, was adjoined
by a long, deep gorge with a stream taking its source in
a remote peak called Satani Khach [the Armenian
equivalent for ‘Cross of the Devil’]. The entrance of
the castle, that opened in the west, was at the edge of
the gorge: those entering it first of all cast a glance over
the right side, where the river babbled. A large territo-
ry below the ramparts, between the northern part of the
castle and its entrance, was paved with stone. ...the for-
tified walls, that were quite high, had some deep, cylin-
drical inner crevices, four verschoks in diametre. The
stronghold had greatly subsided, with its interior and
vicinity reduced to ruins, although the western and
northern parts of its ramparts were still preserved. It is

said to have had its own water system and reservoir in
periods of might and prosperity. The latter exists even
today, but the water has changed its course, apparently,
upset about something. Two mills functioned at the
expense of a large spring welling out from below a
small hill in the north of the castle... It took source
within some 2 to 3 versts of the castle, but we were
assured that if straw was poured into its water from a
certain part of the stronghold, it surfaced some time
later. The meagre vestiges of an ancient chapel were
preserved in the centre of the castle, where traces of
candles ... could be seen. Mounting the horses near the
bridge, we left behind the newly-blossomed millet
fields, crossed the mountain chain rising on the left and
<figure><img src="image_384.png" /></figure>

<figure><img src="image_385.png" /><figcaption>GHALAKEND (PARISOS). The plan of the castle</figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="image_386.png" /></figure>

<figure><img src="image_387.png" /></figure>

<figure><img src="image_388.png" /></figure>

<figure><img src="image_389.png" /><figcaption>GHALAKEND (PARISOS). The ruins of the chapel of the castle and its water reservoir</figcaption></figure>

descended the gorge where the tributary Shakar Bey flowed.”<fnref n="369" />

The **monastery of Parisos** is situated in a wooded tableland 1.5 kilometres west of the village site of Tandzut, 6 kilometres south-east of the city site of

Parisos: “The local inhabitants still remember the name of the mountain on which it stands, i.e. Kapank, or Darband, as the Turks call it. They also recall the

<footnote n="369">³⁶⁹ S. Kamalian Fund, copy-book No. 1, VI-11, pp. 24-26.</footnote>
names of various sites in the neighbourhood, such as
Tandzut and the river Gardman...”<fnref n="370" />

The earliest records mentioning the monastery
date from the 10th century. It was known as a bish-
op residence, three of the spiritual leaders of Parisos
Monastery later serving as Catholicoses of Aghvank.
“...from the priorate of the monastery of
P’aríisos...”<fnref n="371" /> were David IV (923 to 929), David VI
(965 to 971) and Movses II (987 to 993). The partic-
ipants of a church meeting Catholicos of All
Armenians Anania Mokatsy (946 to 968) convened
in Khachen included Monk David from the
monastery of Parisos.<fnref n="372" />

It preserved its status of a bishop residence in the
subsequent centuries as well: thus, in 1691 mention is
made of “...the leader of Shamkor, Bishop Barsegh of
Parisos...”<fnref n="373" /> In 1764 Archbishop Hovhannes served as
Father Superior of the monastery,<fnref n="374" /> which had a
church called “St. Stepanos...,”<fnref n="375" /> as attested by an
archive document of 1889.

Parisos Monastery used to be a famous scriptorium,
among the manuscripts copied there a Gospel of 1657
being particularly remarkable: “...it was called Karmir
*Avetaran* and written by Sexton Harutiun in Kartman
District under Catholicos of Gandzasar Petros, in 1657.
Bound by Archimandrite Hakob in Parisus
Monastery.”<fnref n="376" />

By the late 19th century, the monastery, once
enjoying the fame of a spiritual centre, had been
reduced to an extremely inconsolable state. As attest-
ed by a visitor, “Taking advantage of its dereliction,
the Turks have relegated it to a sheep-cote filled with
dust and dirty water so that it is absolutely impossible
to enter it.”<fnref n="377" />

The monastic complex of Parisos used to comprise
3 churches, 2 gavits and a chapel built almost in a row
and extending in an east-westerly direction: “...The
second and third churches have vaulted *gavits* of three
pillars in the south... The middle one is larger than the
others, but all of them represent old buildings, with
their entrances in the south. The eastern church has a
small gavit, adjoined by a belfry built of finely-finished
pumice, like all the arches and cornerstones of all the

churches and halls (their other parts are built of
undressed stone). The second and third churches are 25
metres long and 11 metres 70 centimetres wide. These
sanctuaries are thoroughly preserved, unlike the mo-
nastic cells all of which are ruined. Many graves lie
both inside and outside the ramparts, but we failed to
find any epitaphs. A reservoir and the traces of some
clay pipes can be seen near the monastery: they were
once used to convey the water of a spring, running in
the west, to the monastery.”<fnref n="378" />

The facade-bearing stone of the entrance of the
western church is engraved with an inscription deco-
rated with a cross relief:

"Carved on a stone placed above the door of the third church":

:Նուգ: (994) Սուսես երեց:

transl.: *994 Priest Muses.*

The Armenian original published in: **Smbat M.** Antiquities in the Neighbourhood of Getabek. In: "Nor-Dar," 1893, No. 36, p. 3; **Barkhutariants, M.** Artsakh, p. 306; **Lalayan, Yer.** Gandzak District, p. 340; Corpus..., part 5, p. 271.

Note: The first two researchers failed to write down the year of
the inscription. Smbatians mentions another inscribed cross-stone
whose epigraph, however, was impossible to decipher: "...another
khachkar bears something incised, but it is beyond reading, for
smoke and ashes have blackened it..."

## POKR GHARAMURAT

**Location.** The village is situated on the south-facing slope of a gorge lying on the right bank of the river Gharamurat, 12 kilometres west of the district centre, at an altitude of 1,300 to 1,380 metres above sea level.

**A Historical Introduction.** The medieval written sources keep silence about it, but the colophon of a *Haysmavurk* of 1610 makes reference to Metz Gharamurat, a fact attesting to the existence of a smaller village of the same name (it was called Metz Gharamurat to be differentiated from the other village).<fnref n="379" />

An investigator who visited the village in 1890 describes it in the following way, “Continuing our way along the right bank of the river, we hurriedly made for the monastery we had seen in the distance: it was situated on the flat slope of a rocky mountain. At first the village was called *Ghara Bulagh*, but some people claim it should be named *Gharamurad*, alleging that this is *Pokr Gharamurad*, the one located on the other side of the mountain being *Metz Gharamurad*. Above this village, which is inhabited by Ayrums, a church of semi-ruined walls can be seen, with part of its roof covering the bema remaining intact. Apparently, it is not a long time since the rest of it was demolished, for its interior is filled with the stones of the roof, walls and pillars, overgrown

<footnote n="370">370 *Lazariants, S.* Parisos Monastery and the Armenian Kingdom of Parisos. In: “Meghu Hayastani,” 1859, No. 13, p. 99, in Armenian.</footnote>

<footnote n="371">371 *Movsēs Dasxurançī*, p. 231; *Kirakos Gandzaketsy*, p. 199</footnote>

<footnote n="372">372 The *Rebellion of Aghvank* by *His Holiness Anania Catholicos of Armenians*, p. 134.</footnote>

<footnote n="373">373 *Topjian, H.*, part 2, p. 18.</footnote>

<footnote n="374">374 *Barkhutariants, M.*, idem, p. V.</footnote>

<footnote n="375">375 National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3884, p. 227.</footnote>

<footnote n="376">376 “Echmiatzin,” 1970, No. 1, p. 46. Gh. Pirghalemian published another colophon of the same contents which does not mention Parisos and marks of omission are put instead. It is, however, evident that the colophons are identical. Republished in: *Colophons*, 17th century, vol. 3, p. 780.</footnote>

<footnote n="377">377 *Smbat M.*, op. cit., p. 3.</footnote>

<footnote n="378">378 *Barkhutariants, M.*, idem, p. 306.</footnote>

<footnote n="379">379 *Colophons*, 17th century, vol. 1, p. 367.</footnote>
<figure><img src="image_390.png" /><figcaption>POKR GHARAMURAT. The village church seen from the south, south-east and east. The southern entrance of the monument and its entrance tympanum</figcaption></figure>

with rust, burdock and nettle. Entering the church
over the lower part of a wall and reaching the
vestries, I noticed some empty hives in the left one.
The entrance to the other was buried under soil and
stones. There are no inscriptions: all of them have
been scraped away. ...The church is surrounded by
numerous graves and cross-stones: probably, they
used to bear inscriptions which are lost beyond

<footnote n="380">380 S. **Kamalian** Fund, copy-book No. 1, VI-11, pp. 26-27. Below follows an interesting description of the road leading from Pokr to Metz Gharamurat, "Opposite the church, in a south-easterly direction extends a gorge adjoined by numerous encampments and mountain huts. The most important of them is Mount Karut called 'Genlegeldagh' among the local Turks. Following some footprints seen near the aforementioned church, we started descending and approached a narrow channel formed by the water of a fast-flowing spring running from below a mountain rising in</footnote>

<footnote>the south of the sanctuary. Its water seemed to push its way
through some black stones; hence derives the name of the village,
i.e. 'Gharabulagh' ['Gharabulagh' is the Turkish equivalent for
'Black Spring)]. A little below this spring stands a functioning
mill: we proceeded on an ancient, bumpy road stretching above it.
Passing through a thick forest, we found ourselves in the valley of
a stream, on the left bank of which about 20 houses of Ayrums
lived. The residence of a wealthy Ayrum standing on the roadside
had been built with the finely-dressed stones of the church. Both
above and below the sites of the former yards can be seen ceme-
teries which retain magnificent gravestones: none of them has
escaped the brutal hands of the savages. Almost all of them are
broken, scattered here and there and covered with animal drop-
pings so that it is highly difficult to make out anything in the epi-
taphs carved on them. These yards and graves once belonged to
the rich inhabitants of Gharamurad who emigrated to Shulaver
located near the river Khram in the days of horror and terror. The
former prospering houses that amounted to several hundreds have
now been replaced by several sunken dwellings of Ayrums where</footnote>
<figure><img src="image_391.png" /><figcaption>POKR GHARAMURAT. An eastward view of the interior of the church, and the inscribed frame of a window opening from its eastern facade</figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="image_392.png" /></figure>

<figure><img src="image_393.png" /><figcaption>POKR GHARAMURAT. The plan of the church</figcaption></figure>

retrieve, for the Ayrums are in the habit of feeding their cattle and sheep on salt poured right on these stones. Everywhere you can see some yard sites."³⁸⁰

Another researcher who visited the village reports, "...It is an Armenian village presently inhabited by Turks, but retaining a semi-ruined church and a cemetery."<fnref n="381" />

**Population.** The village was totally abandoned in the '70s of the 18th century, when "...its inhabitants

moved to Shulaver under last Georgian King Heracle.<fnref n="382" />

Over about a century, the site of the derelict village served as a summer encampment for some nomadic Turkish stock-breeders who eventually changed to a sedentary life in the 1880s and founded a settlement there.

It had 246 inhabitants in 1908,<fnref n="383" /> and 447 in 1914.<fnref n="384" />

On an elevation at the north-western extremity of Pokr Gharamurat can be seen the semi-destroyed building of a church (exterior dimensions: 20.45 x 13.95 metres) built of undressed and roughly-finished stone and mortar. A uni-nave, vaulted basilica with architectural peculiarities typical of the 16th to 17th centuries, it has a vestry on both sides of the bema. All the walls of the church have survived to a height of 1 to 1.5 metres, with the exception of the eastern one, which is completely intact. On this side are preserved three narrow, oblong windows that widen inside, with a two-line inscription carved on the lower part of the finely-finished frame of the central one. The only entrance of the sanctuary opens in the south, with those of the vestries opening into the prayer-hall. A finely-cut 3-metre-long

<footnote>pressed dung is burnt. Although the area is remarkable for fertile soil and tasty water, there are only ruins everywhere, their sight rending my heart. I could never imagine that the former homeland of the residents of Gharamurad, now sheltered in Shulaver, was so magnificent. With my heart imbued with sadness and plunged in thoughts, I was riding my horse in the direction of the monastery standing in the middle of a picturesque valley..." (idem, p. 27).</footnote>

<footnote n="381">³⁸¹ *Barkhutariants, M.*, Artsakh, p. 308.</footnote>

<footnote n="382">³⁸² Op. cit.</footnote>

<footnote n="383">³⁸³ Caucasian Calendar for 1910, p. 276.</footnote>

<footnote n="384">³⁸⁴ Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 142.</footnote>
<figure><img src="image_394.png" /><figcaption>POKR GHARAMURAT. Inscribed cross-stones amidst the ruins of the church</figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="image_395.png" /></figure>

<figure><img src="image_396.png" /></figure>

octahedral obelisk serves as a facade-bearing stone for the church: one of its facets bears a cross relief and an inscription, which were probably added during the construction of the church.

The church is surrounded by a ruined cemetery retaining some cross-stones and sculptured fragments.

Below follow four inscriptions found in this graveyard:

3 lines in the Armenian original carved on an obelisk, a record stating the following about it, "Incised into one of the ends of a hewn quadrilateral tympanum (about 4 arshins long and an arshin thick) set above the door, which is very difficult to pass through due to the soil and stones accumulated there":

U(nırp)p ʃu(w)ṣu p(w)riʃu(wı)u | Եղիային, |
Ակորին եւ Մայրս(w)p(nı)նին:

transl.: May this Holy Cross protect Yeghia,
Akob and Mayrkhatun.

Published for the first time.

Reference: **S. Kamalian** Fund, copy-book No. 1, VI-11, p. 26.

Note: 'Yeghia' may also be deciphered as 'Yeghisa.'

"Engraved on one of the two cross-stones set on the tympanum of a window behind the altar":

Թվ. ՈՒԷ (1578):

transl.: In the year 1578.

Reference: **S. Kamalian** Fund, ibid.

Note: By the time we visited the church in 1984, the stone had been displaced.

Incised into a cross-stone inside the church:

U(nırp)p ʃu(w)ṣu p(w)riʃu(wı)u un(ɛ)p U(h)մէ-(nı)հն: |Թվ(հն): Ω-[LUX] (1582):

transl.: May this Holy Cross protect Father Simeon. 1582.

Published for the first time.

Note: The ten and unit of the year are weathered and hardly discernible.

2 lines in the Armenian original carved ûn the lower part of the frame of a window opening from the bema, i.e. the eastern facade of the church:

U(nırp)p ʃu(w)ṣu Uʃu(ḥ)pwriḥ, nρηḥ
Uq..|...[ḥ]ն եւ nρη(n)gu: Ամէն:

transl.: May this Holy Cross protect Mkhitar, ...
son. Amen.

Published for the first time.

Note: Certain letters are broken to pieces.

A single line in the Armenian original incised into a khachkar lying below the northern wall of the church:

U(nırp)p ʃu(w)ṣu p(w)riʃu(wı)u Ղ(w)q(w)-
ρի:

transl.: May this Holy Cross protect Ghazar.

Published for the first time.

Note: The name is weathered.
<figure><img src="image_397.png" /><figcaption>POLADLU. Partial views of the village church</figcaption></figure>

POLADLU

**Location.** The village extends in the area between Metz and Pokr Gharamurat, 15 kilometres west of the district centre, at an altitude of 1,270 to 1,300 metres above sea level.

The present-day Turkish village, dating back to the
early 20th century, was founded in the site of an ancient
abandoned Armenian village.

In 1983 it had a population of 226.385

A semi-ruined church whose architectural peculi-
arities trace it back to the period between the 16th and
17th centuries is preserved at the eastern edge of the
village. It is built of undressed and roughly-finished
stone and mortar, with part of its cornerstones finely-
cut. The monument represents a uni-nave basilica, with
vaulted vestries of rectangular plan adjoining its semi-
circular bema in the north and south. Although jutting
out of the main area of the prayer-hall, they were built
parallel with the construction of the church, whose
exterior dimensions are 13.20 x 5.65 metres, its eastern

<footnote n="385">385 SAE, vol. 7, p. 571.</footnote>
wall amounting to 9.65 metres together with the sacristies. The southern one is connected with the church through a long, narrow entrance opening into the bema, the entrance of the northern one opening directly into the prayer-hall. The church, which has two entrances opening in the south and west, is illuminated through three narrow windows widening inside and opening

<figure><img src="image_398.png" /><figcaption>POLADLU. The plan of the church</figcaption></figure>

from the eastern facade. Its walls are preserved to a height of 1.5 to 2 metres, but the roof and vault are totally ruined. The facing stones of the vestries and the cornerstones of the entrances have fallen. The masonry of the walls bears some stone fragments adorned with cross reliefs.

The church is surrounded by **an ancient cemetery** comprising some roughly-finished grave-stones, part of them buried under the soil. Many of them are decorated with old-styled, simple cross reliefs.

<figure><img src="image_399.png" /><figcaption>POLADLU. An octahedral obelisk</figcaption></figure>

Before 1982 an octahedral obelisk was preserved in **another grave-yard** extending at the north-western extremity of the village. Presumably, one of its finely-finished facets was engraved with some simple crosses. By 1984, however, the memorial, dating from the 5th to 6th centuries, had been displaced and moved to a museum in Baku, as attested by the local residents.

<figure><img src="image_400.png" /><figcaption>RUSTAM-ALIYEV. The village seen from the castle of Parisos</figcaption></figure>

## RUSTAM-ALIYEV (GHARABULAGH)

**Location.** The village is situated on the south-facing slope of a gorge lying 9 kilometres south-west of the district centre, between 1,360 and 1,470 metres of altitude above sea level.

**A Historical Introduction.** Stripped of its Armenian population in the '70s of the 18th century, a hundred years later, it was inhabited by some Turkish herdsmen who had been using its territory as a summer encampment for already several decades.

With the development of copper industry in the late 19th century, a number of craftsmen, including some Armenians, settled down in the village: "...Crossing the river flowing in front of me, I entered the village which was inhabited by craftspeople, such as coppersmiths, blacksmiths, tailors, hatters and farriers. An Armenian artisan told me that I could climb the top of the castle..."<fnref n="386" />

In the Soviet years, the village was renamed Rustam-Aliyev.<fnref n="387" />

The available data regarding the number of the **local Turkish population** represent the following picture:

<table><thead><tr><td>Year</td><td>Houses</td><td>Males</td><td>Females</td><td>Total</td></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1886³⁸⁸</td><td>67</td><td>223</td><td>160</td><td>383</td></tr><tr><td>1908³⁸⁹</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>443</td></tr><tr><td>1914³⁹⁰</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>923</td></tr></tbody></table>

**Ancient Monuments.** In the 1890s, the ruins of a medieval Armenian church and a cemetery were preserved in the territory of the village.<fnref n="391" />

## SABAT-KECHMAZ

**Location.** The village extends on the southeast-facing slope of a gorge lying between 1,380 and 1,460 metres of altitude above sea level, 2 kilometres north-

<footnote n="386">386 S. Kamalian Fund, copy-book No. 1, VI-11, p. 24.</footnote>

<footnote n="387">387 Rustam Aliyev, notorious for his hatred for the Armenians, was First Secretary of the District Committee of Shamkhor. He was shot to death by a revengeful Armenian.</footnote>

<footnote n="388">388 A Statistical Survey..., pp. 84-85.</footnote>

<footnote n="389">389 Caucasian Calendar for 1910, p. 271.</footnote>

<footnote n="390">390 Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 133.</footnote>

<footnote n="391">391 Barkhutariants, M., idem, p. 308.</footnote>
west of Parisos Castle and 10 kilometres south-west of the district centre.

Stripped of its Armenian population in the 18th century, in the late 19th century, it was inhabited by some cattle-breeders who had been using its territory as a summer encampment for already several decades.

The available data regarding the number of the local population represent the following picture: 130 inhabitants in 1908;<fnref n="392" /> 280 in 1914,<fnref n="393" /> and 547 in 1983.<fnref n="394" />

**Ancient Monuments.** In the 1890s, the remains of a church and cemetery were preserved in the territory of the village.<fnref n="395" />

## SAMANLU (SAMANLEGH)

**Location.** The village is situated on the west-facing slope of a gorge lying on the right bank of the river Legharak, 21 kilometres north of the district centre, between 1,320 and 1,400 metres of altitude above sea level ("...the villages of Samanlu and Merekhlu, that were located on the slope of a gorge extending on the right bank of the river").<fnref n="396" />

Stripped of its Armenian population in the 1770s, by 1890 it had already been inhabited by some Turkish cattle-breeders who led a sedentary mode of life.

In 1983 the local inhabitants totaled 814.<fnref n="397" />

## SARIKYOYNAK

**Location.** This Turkish village lies in the area between the historical villages of Karkar and Metz Gharamurat, 8 kilometres south-west of the district centre, between 1,440 and 1,490 metres of altitude above sea level.

It was founded in the early 20th century in the site of an ancient abandoned Armenian village.

In 1914 it had a population of 177.<fnref n="398" />

## SHEKERBEY (SHAKARBEK)

**Location.** The village is situated at the southern foot of a mountain (2,281 metres) of the same name, 9 kilometres north-west of the district centre. A stream, taking its source on the southern slope of the mountain and flowing through the village, bears the same name.<fnref n="399" />

**A Historical Introduction.** The earliest available record mentioning the toponym of Shakarbek dates back to 1633, when Priest Hovhannes, a famous scribe from Shatakh,<fnref n="400" /> created a Gospel in the village: "This splendid copy of the Holy Gospel was written by ... sin-ful priest Hovhannes from Shatakh Village of Ganja... in Shakarbek Village of Verin Zakam District in rather harsh and difficult times, when Shah Abbas reigned, under Bishop Barsegh the Paronter, His Holiness Movses Catholicos of the Holy See of Echmiatzin, who brought enlightenment to the Armenian land and con-signed his soul to Christ this year, as well as Supreme Pontiff of Aghvank Hovhannes, who was treacherous-ly captured by the Persians and taken to the shah (God knows what happened to him) in 1633 of the Armenian era."<fnref n="401" />

**Population.** Sharing the fate of the adjacent vil-lages, Shakarbek was stripped of its Armenian popula-tion in the '70s of the 18th century. For about a hundred years, it remained derelict and served as a summer encampment for some cattle-breeding tribes. In the 1870s, it was inhabited by Turkish stock-breeders who started leading a sedentary mode of life there.

The available data regarding the local residents are as follows: 179 in 1908;<fnref n="402" /> 355 in 1914,<fnref n="403" /> and 830 in 1987.<fnref n="404" />

**Historical Monuments.** Some cross-stones and the remnants of a village site, a church and a cemetery are preserved in the village and its neighbourhood. Its ter-ritory also retains the vestiges of some old walls.

## SHURAKEND (AYKEND)

**Location.** This Turkish village extends on the southeast-facing slope of a gorge lying in the area of the source of the Aykend, the small, left tributary of the river Shamkor, 5 kilometres south of the district centre, between 1,540 and 1,650 metres of altitude above sea level.

It was founded in the late 19th century in the site of an ancient Armenian village abandoned about a hun-dred years before (it used to form part of the estates of Charek Monastery).

In 1908 the village had 73 Turkish inhabitants<fnref n="405" /> whose number had grown to 410 by 1914.<fnref n="406" />

<footnote n="392">392 Caucasian Calendar for 1910, p. 354.</footnote>

<footnote n="393">393 Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 176.</footnote>

<footnote n="394">394 SAE, vol. 8, Baku, 1985, p. 368.</footnote>

<footnote n="395">395 *Barkhutariants*, M., ibid.</footnote>

<footnote n="396">396 *S. Kamalian* Fund, copy-book No. 1, VI-11, p. 17.</footnote>

<footnote n="397">397 SAE, vol. 8, p. 277.</footnote>

<footnote n="398">398 Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 179.</footnote>

<footnote n="399">399 A record of 1890 reads, "Mounting the horses near the bridge, we left behind some newly-blossomed fields of millet and turned left, descending towards the gorge of the stream of Shakar Bey through the pass of a mountain chain rising on the left. This tributary flows from the southern part of the lofty mountain of Shakar Bey, which has large slopes. Near its source can be seen the village of Gargar..." (*S. Kamalian* Fund, copy-book No. 1, VI-11, p. 25).</footnote>

<footnote n="400">400 A historical village and scriptorium now reduced to a village site lying between Khachakap and Hartshangist Villages of Dashkesan District.</footnote>

<footnote n="401">401 Colophons, 17th century, vol. 2, p. 531. Also see "Ardzagank," 1886, No. 12, p. 162; *Barkhutariants*, M., idem, pp. 333-334.</footnote>

<footnote n="402">402 Caucasian Calendar for 1910, p. 419.</footnote>

<footnote n="403">403 Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 209.</footnote>

<footnote n="404">404 SAE, vol. 10, p. 498.</footnote>

<footnote n="405">405 Caucasian Calendar for 1910, p. 176.</footnote>

<footnote n="406">406 Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 85.</footnote>
## SHURAKEND

**Location.** Another Turkish village of the same name, it is situated on both banks of the Papajan, the large left tributary of the river Zakam, 19 kilometres west of the district centre, at an altitude of 1,300 to 1,360 metres above sea level.

It was established in the Soviet years.

A semi-ruined church and a cemetery are preserved 3 kilometres south-west of the village.

## SLAVYANKA (VARDANAPAT)

**Location.** The village lies on the highway of Getabek-Shamkhor, 10.5 kilometres north of the district centre, between 1,460 and 1,540 metres of altitude above sea level.

**A Historical Introduction.** As legend has it, it used to be called Vardanapat, the Turks referring to it by the name of Yengija-Bazar.

The village, whose historical name is consigned to oblivion, was abandoned between the 1770s and ‘80s. In 1789 its former inhabitants took up residence on the left bank of the river Khram and founded the village of Daghet, which has preserved its Armenian population until today.

Between 1837 and 1838, 40 Armenian families attempted to resettle in Slavyanka, but they proved unable to adapt themselves to the new surroundings and returned to Daghet in 1844.<fnref n="407" /> A researcher writes the following about the ethnic make-up of the village, “Before the arrival of the Russian sectarians, it was inhabited by the Armenians (the latter had two churches standing there even today) who later scattered here and there due to the raids and persecution of the nearby Turkish bandits. A group of Armenians from Daghed tried to move there, but the same reason forced them into leaving it again. The Russian sectarians, however, proved more successful in suppressing these bandits...”<fnref n="408" />

S. Kamalian, who visited Slavyanka in 1890, writes the following in connection with the same historical events, “As we were told, after the flock of that church had abandoned the village, it had been re-inhabited by some nomadic Turks or Ayrums. When the former inhabitants attempted to return, the newcomers opposed that and the sides entered into an armed conflict, the Turks suffering three victims during the fight. The intimidated Armenians moved away to the bank of the Khram, where they established the village of Daghet. Some time later, certain Dukhobors took possession of their large lands and took up living there.”<fnref n="409" />

**Population.** In the 1840s, the site of the ancient Armenian village was inhabited by Russian Dukhobors.

The available scanty statistical data regarding the number of the local population represent the following picture:

<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Houses</th><th>Males</th><th>Females</th><th>Total</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1874<sup>410</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>1,383</td></tr><tr><td>1886<sup>411</sup></td><td>201</td><td>759</td><td>753</td><td>1,512</td></tr><tr><td>1888<sup>412</sup></td><td>130</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1894<sup>413</sup></td><td>200</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1914<sup>414</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>1,473</td></tr></tbody></table>

A traveller who visited the village in 1864 does not hide his admiration for the local residents: “...The locals are quite sociable, industrious, wealthy and neat... They live in cosy houses built of wood, namely in the style of the Russian cabin. ...They are the best people I have ever come across here.”<fnref n="415" />

Despite this, however, “...drunkenness seems to have strong roots among them.”<fnref n="416" />

In the late 1960s, the Azerbaijanis usurped Slavyanka “peacefully.”<fnref n="417" />

**Construction Activity.** In the late 19th century, the village was described as having “...regular long and wide streets....”<fnref n="418" /> an architectural peculiarity which has been preserved intact until the present.

In 1888 a two-year male public school was established in Slavyanka.<fnref n="419" />

**Economic Activity.** The Russian Dukhobors were good farmers and workers, a visitor writing the following about their farming methods, “While I was in the field, something ordinary attracted my attention: two Dukhobors were working a plough with six oxen yoked to it. One of them was a ploughman, while the other was simply walking beside the animals, shaking a long whip of no handle in the air, whistling and making some noise: in this way, the plough was tilling the soil. If it belonged to an Armenian, Georgian or Turk, we

<footnote n="407">407 **Lalayan, Yer.** Gandzak District, p. 356.</footnote>

<footnote n="408">408 “Ardzagank,” 1888, No. 7, pp. 86-87.</footnote>

<footnote n="409">409 **S. Kamalian** Fund, copy-book No. 1, VI-11, pp. 19-20.</footnote>

<footnote n="410">410 Caucasian Calendar for 1886, p. 124.</footnote>

<footnote n="411">411 A Statistical Survey..., pp. 86-87. Apart from the Russian Dukhobors, in 1886 the village also comprised 7 Armenian houses with 19 inhabitants; a single Georgian house with 4 residents; a Polish house of a solitary dweller, and a single house inhabited by a Tartar from Kazan.</footnote>

<footnote n="412">412 “Ardzagank,” 1888, No. 7, p. 86.</footnote>

<footnote n="413">413 “Ardzagank,” 1894, No. 104, p. 2.</footnote>

<footnote n="414">414 Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 181.</footnote>

<footnote n="415">415 **Meves, V.** Articles on Yelizavetpol District. In: “Kavkaz,” 1865, No. 35, p. 199 (the original reads, “...жители опрятны, чисты, добронравны, зажиточны и трудолюбивы... Дома у них уютны, построены из дерева по образцу малороссийских хат... Это лучший здесь народ”).</footnote>

<footnote n="416">416 “Ardzagank,” 1888, No. 7, p. 86.</footnote>

<footnote n="417">417 **Yepiskopossov, G. L.** On the History of the Present-Day Administrative-Territorial Division of the Transcaucasian Republics and the Ongoing Deviations from the National Policy by the Communist Party of the Soviet Union in the Soviet Socialist Republic of Azerbaijan. In: White Book: Documents and Materials. Book 1, vol. 2, Yerevan, 1989, p. 794, in Russian.</footnote>

<footnote n="418">418 **Lalayan, Yer.**, idem, p. 356.</footnote>

<footnote n="419">419 Op. cit.</footnote>
would indeed find five people instead of two, and that sitting lazily on the ox and hitting it from above.”<fnref n="420" />

Like the Armenians, the Russian Dukhobors suffered constant exploitation and robbery on the part of the Turks who had managed to secure certain high ranks for themselves. A traveller who visited the village in 1890 became witness to an occurrence manifesting this:

> "I had just stopped at an Armenian shop when a group of horsemen turned up and the word spread that the police officer had arrived. The entire village was permeated with fuss and turmoil. Hardly had a quarter of an hour passed when some commissars started going house after house together with the local messengers: they were collecting food for both the police officer and his commissars. That robbery was the handiwork of Aslanbek Rustambekov, the police officer of Zagam District: we were assured that they committed the same in every single village."<fnref n="421" />

**The Armenian Monuments of Slavyanka.** In 1890 the remains of a church, cemetery and some house sites once built by the natives were preserved at the north-western extremity of the village. A record states the following with this regard, "...Outside the Dukhobors' settlement, I caught sight of some ruins which turned out to comprise ancient trampled grave-stones of almost undressed stone as well as a roughly-built structure and two standing cross-stones, their crosses lacking in good taste. In the centre of the cemetery stood a church whose roof and left vestry were still preserved. Its western part, however, lay in ruins, the inner columns destroyed together with the right sacristy... The wall near the left vestry bore a cross of red stone, an arshin in diametre. Westwards, above the church could be seen some yards and house sites. The Dukhobors' village of Slavyanka is located on the right bank of the river."<fnref n="422" />

The following inscription, published for the first time, was preserved in the aforementioned church:

Carved "on a cross-stone set below the window of the bema":

Up. խաչս բարեխոս է Պաճին և Պողս կազմեցին իր. խաչս, ք. ՈԿԲ (1613) ք.:

transl.: May this Holy Cross protect Paj and Poghos, who sculpted this holy cross in the year 1613.

Reference: **S. Kamalian** Fund, copy-book No. 1, VI-11, p. 19.

## SOGUTLU

**Location.** The village is situated in a southeast-facing plain lying at an altitude of 1,390 to 1,450 metres above sea level, 4 kilometres north-east of the district centre.

Translated into Armenian, the toponym of Sogutlu sounds as 'Uroot,' i.e. the Armenian equivalent for 'Willow Wood.'

**Population.** Stripped of its Armenian residents in the 1770s, the village lay devastated and uninhabited for about a 100 years. Later it was re-populated by some cattle-breeding Turkish tribes which took up permanent residence there.

In 1908 it had 570 inhabitants<fnref n="423" /> whose number had grown to 1,252 by 1914.<fnref n="424" />

**The Armeno-Turkish Fights between 1905 and 1906.** The Turkish inhabitants of Sogutlu took a particularly active part in the extermination of the Armenian population of Ghazakh-Getabek located near the copper fields of Getabek. It was in Sogutlu that the bandits accumulated all the trophy they had gained after the fall of this village.

The local brigands, however, did not enjoy their "victory" for a long time, for on 1 January 1906, a group of valorous Armenians sieged Sogutlu to take vengeance for the innocent victims of the slaughters perpetrated during the Armeno-Turkish fights: "...During the night of 31 December, our group stationed itself in the neighbourhood of Syogyutlu and occupied important positions there, with some aid groups setting up ambush in the nearby gorges. At sunrise, with the first hours of the new year (1 January 1906) roared the leader's trumpet, followed by the cries of hundreds of people. The main detachment and aid groups advanced towards the enemy and encircled Syogyutlu. The Turks opened fire from their positions, but they proved powerless against the heavy volleys of our warriors. The leader of the detachment rushed forward, followed by his revengeful volunteers who had gathered from different grief-stricken Armenian villages: Beglar from Ghazakh; Makich from Banants; Hambardzum (Tavakalian) from Pib; Petros from Akhalkalak as well as butcher Grigor and Karapet Melkonian, both of them from Van... Vardan, who had come from Moosh, instantaneously joined them with tens of courageous fighters... Within an hour, we took possession of all the enemy positions. Leaving their houses to the mercy of fate, the Turks took to their heels, with our warriors chasing them.

"...The latter destroyed and burnt down the village, putting its inhabitants to merciless slaughter, but sparing the women and children. In three hours' time, the large village of Syogutlu was consigned to history..."<fnref n="425" />

Present-day Sogutlu used to be a populous village until the late Middle Ages. This is attested by a large **Armenian cemetery** extending a kilometre north-west of the village and retaining some inscribed tombstones.

<footnote n="420">420 **S. Kamalian** Fund, copy-book No. 1, VI-11, p. 20.</footnote>

<footnote n="421">421 Op. cit.</footnote>

<footnote n="422">422 Op. cit., p. 19.</footnote>

<footnote n="423">423 Caucasian Calendar for 1910, p. 366.</footnote>

<footnote n="424">424 Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 180.</footnote>

<footnote n="425">425 **Varandian, M.**, op. cit., pp. 352-353. Also see "Mshak," 1906, No. 24.</footnote>
## SONALAR

The village extends 35 kilometres north-west of the district centre.

Stripped of its Armenian population between the 1770s and '80s, the derelict village served as a summer encampment for some Turkish cattle-breeders for about a century. In the late 19th century, they shifted to a sedentary life and founded the present-day village.

In 1914 the local population amounted to 233.<fnref n="426" />

## YAGHUBLI

The village lies on the south-facing slope of a gorge, 7.5 kilometres north-west of the district centre, between 1,670 and 1,700 metres of altitude above sea level.

In the pre-Soviet years, it formed part of Yelizavetpol's 5th police district and was within the jurisdiction of Metz Gharamurat.<fnref n="427" />

The toponym of Yaghubli derives from the family name of Yaghub oghli, i.e. Hakob's son (Hakobian): "...The entire village of Yaghubli is inhabited by the descendants of a Muslimized Armenian called Hakob; hence comes its name."<fnref n="428" />

## YENIKEND

The village, adjoining the district centre of Getabek in the south-west, is situated on the left bank of the river Getabak, at an altitude of 1,500 to 1,570 metres above sea level.

It was founded in the Soviet years.

## YENIKEND (PAPAJAN)

**Location.** This is the second village bearing the name of Yenikend in Getabek District. It is situated on the left bank of the stream Papajan or Babajan (presently Bajanka), 19 kilometres west of the district centre, at an altitude of 1,250 to 1,350 metres above sea level.

**The Village as a Scriptorium.** The earliest records of Papajan date from the period between the 1650s and 1660s, when a wide variety of manuscripts were created in the local church one after another. Their great number (indeed, we mean those preserved) truly ranks it among the most prolific scriptoria in Verin (Upper) Zakam District.

In 1655 Priest Avetis from Papajan started copying a Sharaknots which he completed in Jukhtak Monastery of Khavunis ("...The copying of this *Sharaknots* was initiated in my native village of Papajan, Verin Zakam. Now reduced to a fugitive, I completed it in the splendid church of Jukhtak in Khavunis Village...").<fnref n="429" />

Presumably, several years later, Priest Avetis returned to his birthplace, for he is known to have copied and illustrated the next three manuscripts in Papajan. In 1659 a certain Hakhum from Pasaker ordered Avetis to copy a Red Gospel and illustrate it with miniatures for his son Priest Barsegh:

"This divine Red Gospel of Christ was created in Papajan Village of Verin Zakam District in times of peace, in 1659 of the Armenian era, under the auspices of Gharamurat's cloister..."<fnref n="430" />

Priest Avetis copied and illustrated another Gospel in 1661⁴³¹ and a Sharaknots in 1668.<fnref n="432" />

It should be noted, however, that the name of Papajan is not associated with this clergyman only. Another scribe working there was Priest Hovhannes, who created a manuscript there in 1662.<fnref n="433" />

**Population.** The village was stripped of its inhabitants in the 1770s. In the late 19th century, its site retained a church and cemetery.<fnref n="434" />

In the Soviet years, a Turkish village named Yenikend was established in the south of Papajan. Its residents destroyed the church of this historical Armenian village and a chapel located not far from it. Moreover, they continually used the tombstones and khachkars of the village cemetery as building material.

During our visit to Papajan in 1982, we found only the remnants of these monuments.

The aforementioned church (exterior dimensions: 20.40 x 12.10 metres) was built of undressed stone and mortar. It represented a uni-nave, probably, vaulted.

<figure><img src="image_401.png" /><figcaption>YENIKEND (PAPAJAN). The plan of the church</figcaption></figure>

<footnote n="426">426 Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 184.</footnote>

<footnote n="427">427 Idem, p. 163.</footnote>

<footnote n="428">428 **Vardanian, H.**, op. cit., p. 2.</footnote>

<footnote n="429">429 Colophons, 17th century, vol. 3, p. 691.</footnote>

<footnote n="430">430 **Barkhutariants, M.**, Artsakh, pp. 388-389; Colophons, 17th century, vol. 3, pp. 867-868; A Catalogue of Armenian Manuscripts..., vol. 1, manuscript No. 3542.</footnote>

<footnote n="431">431 A Catalogue of Armenian Manuscripts..., vol. 2, p. 587, manuscript No. 7687.</footnote>

<footnote n="432">432 Idem, pp. 769-770, manuscript N 8549.</footnote>

<footnote n="433">433 A Catalogue of Armenian Manuscripts..., vol. 1, manuscript N 337.</footnote>

<footnote n="434">434 **Barkhutariants, M.**, idem, p. 312.</footnote>
<figure><img src="image_402.png" /><figcaption>YENIKEND (PAPAJAN). The ruins of the church and the chapel</figcaption></figure>

basilica, with two vestries in the east. In 1982, however, it was only its north-eastern sacristy that was preserved to some extent. Some of the finely-cut cornerstones of the entrance could be seen on the southern

facade of the church. The other parts of the monument were buried in the earth.

A little below the church could be seen the main walls of the chapel.
<figure><img src="image_403.png" /><figcaption>YENIKEND (PAPAJAN). Partial views of the village cemetery and several preserved tombstones</figcaption></figure>

On a hillside in the south-west extended the large cemetery of the village. It retained some displaced and broken gravestones engraved with epitaphs as well as cross reliefs and scenes from everyday life.

Below follow the epitaphs we found in the cemetery:

Only 2 lines of the Armenian original were preserved on a tombstone decorated with scenes of everyday life and broken into three fragments (we failed to find the middle one):

Ես Վ(ար)դ ... կի ս(ուր)բ խա(չս) որ... եղբ(աւր) իմոյ... | ՈԼՔ (1587):

transl.: I, Vard ... this Holy Cross ... my brother... 1587.

Published for the first time.

5 lines in the Armenian original carved on a fragmented tombstone:

Ա(ստուա)ծ | ող[որմի] | Սիր[քա]/ճա/[ն]ին: transl.: May God have mercy upon Mirzajan.

Published for the first time.

Note: The epitaph dates from the 16th to 17th centuries.
<figure><img src="image_404.png" /></figure>

<figure><img src="image_405.png" /><figcaption>YENIKEND (PAPAJAN). Fragment of an inscribed tombstone, and a gravestone adorned with crosses (1506)</figcaption></figure>

3 lines in the Armenian original engraved by an unskilled hand below a simple cross relief:

[U]η|ωσω[ūhū]°) | ὁστ (1506) p(ūhū): transl.: *To Aghajan in the year 1506.*

Published for the first time.

Note: We are not certain about the decipherment of the name.

### ZAHMETKEND

The village, whose historical name has sunk into oblivion, is situated on the left bank of the river Jagir (Jker), 13 kilometres north of the district centre, between 1,400 and 1,450 metres of altitude above sea level.

It was established in the early 20th century in the site of an Armenian village devastated and abandoned in the 1770s.

In 1979 the purely Turkish village had 867 inhabitants.<fnref n="435" />

### ZAMANLI

The village lies on the left bank of the river Akhenji, 33 kilometres north-west of the district centre, between 1,430 and 1,550 metres of altitude above sea level.

Stripped of its Armenian inhabitants in the 1770s, it was re-populated by some stock-breeding Turkish tribes that had changed to a sedentary life in the early 20th century.

### VILLAGES OF UNKNOWN LOCATION

#### FREZEVKA

This was a Russian village adjacent to Slavyanka.

In 1908 it had 804 inhabitants<fnref n="436" /> whose number had grown to 808 by 1914.<fnref n="437" />

#### LUTSOVKA

Lutsovka represented another Russian village located close to Slavyanka.

On 3 September 1905, the Tartar gangs attacked it for plunder:

"With all their property and belongings seized and destroyed, the local inhabitants abandoned their houses for the neighbouring village of Slavyanka."<fnref n="438" />

### SARDARI TALA

This was an Armenian village located in the area of the upper course of the river Zakam, in "Zakam District." The available sources mention it in 1703. Priest Aristakes is known to have copied a manuscript *Haysmavurk* there on the order of Mahtesy Yesayi, Village Head Voskan and *Aghsakhkal Melkum*.<fnref n="439" />

The village was left derelict in the 1770s.

<footnote n="435">435 SAE, vol. 4, p. 330.</footnote>

<footnote n="436">436 Caucasian Calendar for 1910, p. 390.</footnote>

<footnote n="437">437 Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 194.</footnote>

<footnote n="438">438 "Arshaluys," 9 September 1905, No. 9, in Armenian.</footnote>

<footnote n="439">439 A Catalogue of Armenian Manuscripts..., vol. 2, manuscript N 9088.</footnote>
GHAZAKH DISTRICT

Ghazakh District of the Soviet Socialist Republic of Azerbaijan, established on 8 August 1930, occupies an area of 2,202 square kilometres, and comprises 2 cities, a township and 72 villages. Since 4 December 1959, it has also included the administrative district of Aghstafa set up in 1939.

The district borders on Touz District of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Tavush Marz of the Republic of Armenia as well as Marneul, Gardaban, Sagarejo, Seghnakh and Dedoplis-Tzegharo Districts of the Republic of Georgia.

<figure><img src="image_406.png" /></figure>
## ABASBEYLI

The village is situated on the left bank of the river Voskepar (Joghas), 14 kilometres west of the district centre, at an altitude of 560 to 580 metres above sea level.

In the late 19th century, some stock-breeding tribes which had just changed to a sedentary life founded the present-day Turkish settlement in the site of a derelict Armenian village.

The available statistical data on the number of the local population represent the following picture: 23 houses with 115 inhabitants<fnref n="1" /> in 1886, and 127 residents in 1914.<fnref n="2" />

### THE CASTLE OF GAVAZAN (GAVARZIN)

**Location.** The stronghold towers at the summit of a lofty mountain, within 1.5 kilometres of the left bank of the river Voskepar, a kilometre north-west of Abasbeyli, 15 kilometres west of the district centre.

<figure><img src="image_407.png" /><figcaption>GAVAZAN (GAVARZIN). The mountain seen from the north</figcaption></figure>

**A Historical Introduction.** The earliest record on the monument, also known by the names of *Gavarzin*, *Gevarzin*, *Kavazin* and *Kozin*, dates back to the '60s of the 11th century, when Georgian King Bagrat IV (1027 to 1072) attacked Tpkhis, then under the dominion of Gandzak Emir Patlun. The latter was taken captive by

Ivane Orbelian's troops and was set free only after he had returned "...Tpkhis, Gag and Kozin..."<fnref n="3" /> to the Georgian king.

In 1123 Georgian King David the Builder (1073 to 1125) "...reconquered the Armenian forts of Dmanis, Gag, Terunakan and Kavazin..."<fnref n="4" /> from the Seljuks.

In the '30s of the 13th century, the Mongol-Tartars, led by Molar Nuin, also occupied "...the impregnable castle of Kavazin..."<fnref n="5" />

In 1436 Gavazan provided haven for some Christians escaping the enemy invasions: "...When we reached Aghstev, we were attacked by Mongol Jaghat's horsemen, who robbed us to the very last shreds of clothing, stripping us even of our shoes and leaving us almost stark naked in that severe cold. Then we got to the stronghold of Gavazan, where we were given some garments to hide our naked bodies."<fnref n="6" />

**Topographical Records.** The earliest description of the monument dates back to the first half of the 19th

century. A visitor who saw it writes, "The castle, which is built of a single block of rock, towers high in the plain of Gag. It has a water basin and quite a number of dwelling rooms, which served as haven at different periods. This is rather an impregnable fortification, its

<figure><img src="image_408.png" /><figcaption>GAVAZAN (GAVARZIN). Reprinted from: Alishan, Gh. History of the Armenians. Venice, 1901, p. 389 (in Armenian).</figcaption></figure>

<footnote n="3">³ Juansher, p. 114.</footnote>

<footnote n="4">⁴ Melikset-Bek, L. M., vol. 1, p. 218.</footnote>

<footnote n="5">⁵ Vardan Vardapet, p. 145.</footnote>

<footnote n="6">⁶ Colophons, 15th century, vol. 1, p. 461.</footnote>

<footnote n="1">¹ A Statistical Survey..., pp. 144-145.</footnote>

<footnote n="2">² Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 82.</footnote>
only accessible section being strengthened by ram-
parts.”<fnref n="7" />

Another visitor describes Gavazan in the following manner, “On the left bank of the stream Voskepar (Joghaz) towers a simple, lofty, greyish rock, which is both amazing and formidable. In times bygone, some fortified walls were built at its eastern foot, with rooms and cells inside. It is only one of them that has a well to provide the entire castle with water that is kept in two stone reservoirs. You can ascend the top of the rock only if you overcome an extremely dangerous, narrow, utterly steep and dreadful path in the north. Its surface, which is almost entirely plain, is about two *kals*<fnref n="8" /> long... This is what is known as the famous stronghold of Gavarzin. In the west of the rock can be seen a large crevice behind which a cave of rather great dimensions is said to be located, but at present there is no road leading to it. Time and again, eagles find some rotten shreds of carpets in these caves and throw them down.”<fnref n="9" />

Between 1960 and 1961, the territory was investi-
gated by a group of researchers from the Institute of Ar-
chaeology of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic
of Armenia.<fnref n="10" />

<figure><img src="image_409.png" /><figcaption>GAVAZAN (GAVARZIN). The plan of the citadel</figcaption></figure>

The citadel (exterior dimensions: 140 x 40 metres)
was built of yellow limestone. With its entrance opening

<figure><img src="image_410.png" /></figure>

<figure><img src="image_411.png" /></figure>

<figure><img src="image_412.png" /></figure>

<figure><img src="image_413.png" /><figcaption>GAVAZAN (GAVARZIN). Partial views of the ramparts. A vaulted structure on the northern slope of the mountain of the castle</figcaption></figure>

**Gavazan's Defense System.** The castle, rising high on the north-eastern slanting slope of a rocky mountain peak (400 metres), has a dominating position over the area, where at present the ruins of its citadel and a fortress town are preserved.

in the west, it used to be fortified by 7 semi-circular tow-
ers, which have survived to a height of 4 to 7 metres.

The fortress town, which used to be surrounded by
ramparts, extended 400 metres north of the citadel. Its

<footnote n="7">7 Jalaliants, S., idem, part 1, p. 156.</footnote>

<footnote n="8">8 ‘Kal,’ i.e. the Armenian equivalent for ‘threshing-floor,’ is an ancient unit of area equal to about 50 square metres.</footnote>

<footnote n="9">9 *Barkhutariants, M*. Artsakh, p. 395.</footnote>

<footnote n="10">10 Barseghian, L., Khachatrian, Zh. About Two Castles of Medieval Armenia. In: "Bulletin of the Academy of Sciences of the Armenian SSR," 1962, No. 7, pp. 74-76, in Armenian. Also see **Archimandrite Michael Hovhannissian.** The Castles of Armenia. Venice, 1970, pp. 493-494, in Armenian.</footnote>
fortified walls were built of yellow limestone and
rough blocks of rock.

## AGHKYOYNAK

At present the village lies within the borders of
Ghazakh City.

The available statistical data on the number of the
local population represent the following picture:

<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Houses</th><th>Males</th><th>Females</th><th>Total</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1886<sup>11</sup></td><td>76</td><td>283</td><td>211</td><td>494</td></tr><tr><td>1908<sup>12</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>834</td></tr><tr><td>1976<sup>13</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>2,625</td></tr></tbody></table>

## AGHSTAFA

**Location.** The village, located 8 kilometres north-
east of the district centre, at an altitude of 325 to 340
metres above sea level, was established in the site of a
station of the same name belonging to Tbilisi-Baku
Railway.

In 1909 some Russian resettlers who were mainly
Baptists and adherents of the sect of New Israel carried
on its construction in the vicinity of Aghstafa Station.

In 1934 the village turned into a township and pre-
served that status until 16 March 1941, when it grew
into a town.<fnref n="14" />

**Population.** Until 1909, the newly-founded settle-
ment had 50 houses with 150 inhabitants,<fnref n="15" /> more than
half of whom were Turks (they amounted to 84 in
1908).<fnref n="16" />

In 1976 Aghstafa had a population of 9,000.<fnref n="17" />

## ALI-BAYRAMLI (ASLANBEKLI)

The village is situated 23 kilometres north-west of
the district centre, at an altitude of 360 to 400 metres
above sea level.

It had 1,355 inhabitants in 1908;<fnref n="18" /> 1,325¹⁹ in 1914,
and 2,950 in 1979.<fnref n="20" />

The historical monuments preserved in the territory
of the village include a tomb (1904), a mosque (1909)
and some dwellings built in the vicinity of the latter in
the 19th century.<fnref n="21" />

## ALPOUT

The village extends on the left bank of the river
Voskepar, 12.5 kilometres west of the district centre, at
an altitude of 640 to 680 metres above sea level.

The available scanty statistical data on the number
of the local population represent the following picture:
39 houses with 184 inhabitants in 1886,<fnref n="22" /> and 168 res-
idents in 1914.<fnref n="23" />

## ASHAGHI-ASKIPARA (AKSIPARA)

The village is located in the area between the rivers
Voskepar and Baghanis, on the left bank of the former,
24 kilometres west of the district centre, between 700
and 760 metres of altitude above sea level.

The available scanty statistical data on the number
of the local population represent the following picture:

<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Houses</th><th>Males</th><th>Females</th><th>Total</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1886<sup>24</sup></td><td>126</td><td>397</td><td>259</td><td>656</td></tr><tr><td>1908<sup>25</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>933</td></tr><tr><td>1914<sup>26</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>1,057</td></tr><tr><td>1976<sup>27</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>1,023</td></tr></tbody></table>

## ASHAGHI-SALAHLI

The village lies 13.5 kilometres north of the district
centre, at an average altitude of 300 metres above sea
level.

The available scanty statistical data on the number
of the local population represent the following picture:

<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Houses</th><th>Males</th><th>Females</th><th>Total</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1886<sup>28</sup></td><td>366</td><td>1147</td><td>848</td><td>1,995</td></tr><tr><td>1908<sup>29</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>2,669</td></tr><tr><td>1914<sup>30</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>2,798</td></tr><tr><td>1976<sup>31</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>1,066</td></tr></tbody></table>

## AZIZBEYLI (HYUSEINBEKLI)

The village is situated 3 kilometres north of the dis-
strict centre, at an average altitude of 330 metres above
sea level.

It had 139 inhabitants in 1907,<fnref n="32" /> and 109 in 1914.<fnref n="33" />

<footnote n="11">11 A Statistical Survey..., pp. 144-145 (these figures are not trust-
worthy at all).</footnote>

<footnote n="12">12 Caucasian Calendar for 1910, p. 173.</footnote>

<footnote n="13">13 SAE, vol. 1, p. 110.</footnote>

<footnote n="14">14 The Azerbaijanian SSR: Administrative-Territorial Division.
Baku, 1979, p. 9, in Russian.</footnote>

<footnote n="15">15 “Tifliski Listok,” 1909, No. 271, p. 2.</footnote>

<footnote n="16">16 Caucasian Calendar for 1910, p. 176.</footnote>

<footnote n="17">17 SAE, vol. 1, p. 111.</footnote>

<footnote n="18">18 Caucasian Calendar for 1910, p. 188.</footnote>

<footnote n="19">19 Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 91.</footnote>

<footnote n="20">20 SAE, vol. 4, p. 187.</footnote>

<footnote n="21">21 Fatullayev, Sh. S., idem, p. 433.</footnote>

<footnote n="22">22 A Statistical Survey..., pp. 145-146.</footnote>

<footnote n="23">23 Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 87.</footnote>

<footnote n="24">24 A Statistical Survey..., pp. 144-145.</footnote>

<footnote n="25">25 Caucasian Calendar for 1910, p. 176.</footnote>

<footnote n="26">26 Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 85.</footnote>

<footnote n="27">27 SAE, vol. 1, p. 508.</footnote>

<footnote n="28">28 A Statistical Survey..., pp. 150-151.</footnote>

<footnote n="29">29 Caucasian Calendar for 1910, p. 357.</footnote>

<footnote n="30">30 Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 177.</footnote>

<footnote n="31">31 SAE, vol. 1, p. 509.</footnote>

<footnote n="32">32 Caucasian Calendar for 1910, p. 231</footnote>

<footnote n="33">33 Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 113. The results of the statistical
survey conducted in 1886 (55 houses with 354 inhabitants) are
exaggerated and untrustworthy (A Statistical Survey..., pp. 144-
145).</footnote>
## BAGHANIS-AYRUM

Baghanis-Ayrum extends 24 kilometres west of the district centre, at an altitude of 760 to 820 metres above sea level.

It represents a Turkish village established in the late 19th century.

In 1908 it had a population of 141.<fnref n="34" />

## BALA-JAFARLI

The village, dating back to the Soviet years, lies on the right bank of the water reservoir of the river Aghstev, 11.5 kilometres south-west of the district centre.

## BARKHUDARLI

The village is located right of Ijevan-Ghazakh Highway, 15.5 kilometres south-west of the district centre.

It was founded in the late 19th century by some stock-breeding Turkish tribes that had changed to a sedentary life.

The available scanty statistical data on the number of the local population in the pre-Soviet years represent the following picture:

<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Houses</th><th>Males</th><th>Females</th><th>Total</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1886<sup>35</sup></td><td>14</td><td>38</td><td>31</td><td>69</td></tr><tr><td>1908<sup>36</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>103</td></tr><tr><td>1914<sup>37</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>122</td></tr></tbody></table>

## CHAYLI-KOMUNA

The village, tracing back to the Soviet years, is situated 6 kilometres west of the district centre.

## CHAYLI-KOSALAR

A Turkish village established in the second half of the 19th century, it lies 6 kilometres north of the district centre, at an altitude of 380 to 420 metres above sea level.

The available scanty statistical data on the number of the local population represent the following picture:

<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Houses</th><th>Males</th><th>Females</th><th>Total</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1886<sup>38</sup></td><td>134</td><td>495</td><td>276</td><td>771</td></tr><tr><td>1914<sup>39</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>747</td></tr><tr><td>1986<sup>40</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>5,492</td></tr></tbody></table>

## DAGH-KYASAMAN

Dagh-Kyasaman extends within a kilometre of the right bank of the river Aghstev, east of Ghazakh City, at an altitude of 360 to 400 metres above sea level.

Before the foundation of Ghazakh City (1880), it was the administrative centre of the district.

It used to be a densely-populated village, but the available statistical sources report only some scanty data on the number of its population:

<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Houses</th><th>Males</th><th>Females</th><th>Total</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1886<sup>41</sup></td><td>219</td><td>840</td><td>588</td><td>1,428</td></tr><tr><td>1908<sup>42</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>2,150</td></tr><tr><td>1914<sup>43</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>2,850</td></tr><tr><td>1977<sup>44</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>5,245</td></tr></tbody></table>

The village is famous for its mosque built in 1895.<fnref n="45" /> It is the earliest monument of Turkish culture throughout the district of Ghazakh.

## DASH-SALAHLI

One of the most populous villages in the district, Dash-Salahli is situated at the eastern foot of Mount Gag, 10 kilometres north-west of the district centre, at an altitude of 400 to 440 metres above sea level.

The available statistical data on the number of the local population represent the following picture:

<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Houses</th><th>Males</th><th>Females</th><th>Total</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1886<sup>46</sup></td><td>287</td><td>891</td><td>564</td><td>1,455</td></tr><tr><td>1907<sup>47</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>1,340</td></tr><tr><td>1914<sup>48</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>3,239</td></tr><tr><td>1977<sup>49</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>6,174</td></tr></tbody></table>

**Archaeological Monuments.** In 1958 the Archaeological Expedition of the History Institute of Ghazakh District, working under the supervision of M. Huseinov, unearthed the ruins of a site dating from the Mousterien Era in a cave located in the vicinity of the village, on the western slope of Mount Avey, along the frontier of the Republic of Armenia.<fnref n="50" /> The archaeological finds mainly included stone tools such as hand cutters, scrapers, blades, etc. made of flint, basalt, heliotrope and fieldstone.

<footnote n="34">34 Caucasian Calendar for 1910, p. 194.</footnote>

<footnote n="35">35 A Statistical Survey..., pp. 150-151.</footnote>

<footnote n="36">36 Caucasian Calendar for 1910, p. 199.</footnote>

<footnote n="37">37 Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 97.</footnote>

<footnote n="38">38 A Statistical Survey..., pp. 152-153.</footnote>

<footnote n="39">39 Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 204.</footnote>

<footnote n="40">40 SAE, vol. 10, p. 301.</footnote>

<footnote n="41">41 A Statistical Survey..., pp. 146-147.</footnote>

<footnote n="42">42 Caucasian Calendar for 1910, p. 234.</footnote>

<footnote n="43">43 Caucasian Calendar for 1915 p. 115.</footnote>

<footnote n="44">44 SAE, vol. 3, p. 298.</footnote>

<footnote n="45">45 Fatullayev, Sh. S., idem, p. 433.</footnote>

<footnote n="46">46 A Statistical Survey..., pp. 146-147.</footnote>

<footnote n="47">47 Caucasian Calendar for 1910, p. 238.</footnote>

<footnote n="48">48 Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 117.</footnote>

<footnote n="49">49 SAE, vol. 3, p. 348.</footnote>

<footnote n="50">50 Huseinov, M. The Musterien Site in the Cave of Dash-Salahli. In: "Izvestya Akademii Nauk Azerbaijanskoy SSR," 1959, No. 6, pp. 17-33, in Russian.</footnote>
<figure><img src="image_414.png" /><figcaption>DASH-SALAHLI. Specimens of archaeological finds unearthed on Mount Avey</figcaption></figure>

## THE CASTLE OF GAG

*Location.* The stronghold, that dates from the 10th century, towers at the top of Mount Gag, within hardly a kilometre of the frontier of the Republic of Armenia, 2 kilometres west of Dash-Salahli Village.

*A Historical Introduction.* Most presumably, both the castle and the district got their names from that of Bagratid King Gagik I (989 to 1020): “...the district and the famous fort of Gag were built by King Gagik...”<fnref n="51" />

One of the earliest records on the monument traces back to the beginning of the 11th century, when king of Lori David Anhoghin<fnref n="52" /> suppressed certain centrifugal forces. With this regard, a quotation states, “...David the Landless suspected Marzpan Demetr, a prince residing in the castle of Gag, of having repudiated his forefathers’ religion and converted to the Georgian faith, for now he followed only the rites of the Georgian church... And David, the young handsome king, succeeded in expelling him from Gag thanks to his exceptional prudence...”<fnref n="53" />

In 1001 Gagik I the Shahnshah took possession of the estates of David the Landless, who had risen in rebellion against the king. The former “...arrived in Aghstev District<fnref n="54" /> ... via the fort of Gag.”<fnref n="55" />

In the ‘60s of the 11th century, the Georgians and Abkhazians’ King Bagrat IV liberated Gag from the dominion of Emir Patlun.<fnref n="56" />

In 1123 Georgian King David the Builder “...conquered ... the strongholds of Gag and Terunanak.”<fnref n="57" />

In 1162 the news of the occupation of Dvin (in Ayrarat Province of Metz Hayk) by Georgian King Giorgi III (1156 to 1184) “...reached Persian Atabek Yeltkuz, the sultan, who was in Khorasan<fnref n="58" /> (Khvarasan), and the caliph, i.e. the ruler of Great Babylon and the Arabs’ (Saracens’) false lawmaker, who was in Iragh.<fnref n="59" /> ...all of them assembled in Ran, whence they headed towards Armenia (Somkhit). Their united forces conquered Gag Fort and devastated its neighbourhood.”<fnref n="60" /> Learning that the Georgians were preparing a counterattack, “...Yeltkuz ordered that the sultan’s troops, who were stationed in Gag, should abandon it. However, hardly had they crossed the river Yekeghyats when the Georgians caught and slaughtered them.”<fnref n="61" />

In the first years of the reign of Georgian Queen Thamara (1184 to 1213), “...prince of Gag Hovhan (Ivane), who was Vardan’s son...” was among the feudal lords who had stirred up an insurrection with the objective of enforcing some restriction on the royal power.<fnref n="62" /> After the suppression of the revolt in 1191, Queen Thamara bestowed “Gag, together with the gorge of Kurdvajar and a great number of tax-paying cities, castles and townships,” on Bluz (Younger) Zakare (1176 to 1205), a representative of the Vahramian Branch of the Zakarians’ Family. Now his newly-granted dominions “...extended up to Gandzak.”<fnref n="63" />

The construction inscription of Haghpat’s Khatunashen Sourb Astvatzatzin Church (in Lori Marz of the Republic of Armenia), dating back to the early 13th century, mentions Bluz Zakare as the ruler of Gag: “...Zakaria, who held possession of Gag and Tavush, Gardman and Terunanak and other districts...”<fnref n="64" />

<footnote n="51">51 Vardan Vardapet, p. 145.</footnote>

<footnote n="52">52 David the Landless, whose date of birth is unknown, took up reins of power in about 996 and died in 1048.</footnote>

<footnote n="53">53 Universal History by Stepanos Taronetsy the Asoghik, p. 257.</footnote>

<footnote n="54">54 In Gugark Province of Metz Hayk.</footnote>

<footnote n="55">55 Idem, p. 280.</footnote>

<footnote n="56">56 Juansher, p. 114; Melikset-Bek, L. M., vol. 1, p. 208.</footnote>

<footnote n="57">57 Samuel Anetsy, p. 125. Also see Vardan Vardapet, p. 119; Mkhitar Ayrivanetsy, p. 62; Brief Chronicles, vol. 1, p. 25; Melikset-Bek, L. M., vol. 1, p. 218; vol. 3, Yerevan, 1955, p. 42. Abrahamian, A. The Historiographical Works by Hovhannes the Sage. Yerevan, 1956, p. 134, in Armenian.</footnote>

<footnote n="58">58 In North-Eastern Persia.</footnote>

<footnote n="59">59 In West Persia.</footnote>

<footnote n="60">60 Melikset-Bek, L. M., vol. 2, p. 9; vol. 3, p. 44.</footnote>

<footnote n="61">61 Ibid.</footnote>

<footnote n="62">62 Melikset-Bek, L. M., vol. 2, p. 13.</footnote>

<footnote n="63">63 Ibid.</footnote>

<footnote n="64">64 Ghafadarian, K. Haghpat. Yerevan, 1963, p. 220, in Armenian (the Armenian original of this part of the inscription reads, «...Զարարհա, որ էր տէր Գազա եւ Տառը, Գարմանաւա եւ Տէրունականմին եւ այլոց գատառաց...»).</footnote>
<figure><img src="image_415.png" /></figure>

<figure><img src="image_416.png" /><figcaption>MOUNT GAG seen from the south-west; St. Sargis Monastery from the north-east and east; western view of a semi-ruined chapel located at the north-eastern edge of the monastery</figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="image_417.png" /></figure>

<figure><img src="image_418.png" /></figure>

<figure><img src="image_419.png" /><figcaption>GAG. The plan of St. Sargis Monastery (measurement by D. Akhundov)</figcaption></figure>

Bluz Zakare was succeeded by his son Vahram Gagetsy (1205 to 1250/52), under whose dominion the fort became the seat of the Vahramians and one of the most famous centres in North-East Armenia.<fnref n="65" />

“...Prince of Gag Vahram...

After the victorious battle of Garni (1225) and the plunder of Dvin City, Khorezm's Shah Jalal-ad-Din

(1220 to 1231) "...spread ruin and devastation throughout Dvin, Ani and Gag, reaching even Gandzak and Shamkor. In a word, he conquered almost the whole country of Somkhit, most of the occupied territories once belonging to Vahram Gagetsy, a prudent man who had distinguished himself in many fights."<fnref n="67" />

In 1231 the Mongols defeated Jalal-ad-Din's troops at the battle of Amid, which enabled Vahram Gagetsy to restore the territorial integrity of his estates.

After the conquest of Shamkor in the '30s of the 13th century, the Mongol-Tatars, led by commander Molar Nuin, occupied Vahram Gagetsy's castles and districts without encountering any resistance.<fnref n="68" /> Some time later, that nobleman succeeded in restoring his dominions, including the fort of Gag: "Then he came and reconquered the stronghold and district, bequeathed to him by his forefathers. He also re-captured his castles in Tavush, Katzaret, Terunanak, Yergevank and Matznaberd, this last one belonging to Askhartan Kyurikiants. Vahram also strengthened his positions in Nor Berd, then under Prince Vasak's rule,

<footnote n="65">65 For further information on Vahramian princes, see **Shahnazarian, A.**
The Principality of the Vahramians. Yerevan, 1990, in Armenian.</footnote>

<footnote n="66">66 **Grigor Aknertsy.** History of the Tartars (hereinafter: **Grigor Aknertsy**). Jerusalem, 1974, pp. 20-21, in Armenian.</footnote>

<footnote n="67">67 Georgian Chronicles, p. 62. Also see **Melikset-Bek, L. M.**, vol. 2, p. 52; vol. 3, p. 49. A record states the following in connection with the aforementioned events, "Arriving in Atropatene with an army of 140,000, Jalal-ad-Din started destroying Hayk and, particularly, Gag, without sparing even little children..."</footnote>

<footnote n="68">68 **Vardan Vardapet**, p. 144; **Kirakos Gandzaketsy**, p. 243.</footnote>
<figure><img src="image_420.png" /><figcaption>GAG. Stone inscriptions from St. Sargis Monastery (the last one deliberately scraped off)</figcaption></figure>

as well as in the impregnable fortress of Kavazin and famous Gag...”<fnref n="69" />

Archimandrite Vanakan Tavushetsy, who had been taken captive by the Mongols and was threatened with being sold, was set free only after the inhabitants of Gag Fort had paid ransom for him.<fnref n="70" />

In 1242 mention is made of Gag prince Vahram and his son Aghbugha, who assisted the Mongols in conquering South Armenia together with many Armenian and Georgian nobles. After the conquest of Karin in Bardzr Hayk Province of Metz Hayk, they paid ransom for numerous Christians, purchased some Armenian manuscripts and donated them to the religious institutions of North Armenia.<fnref n="71" />

In 1243 Vahram Gagetsy's son Aghbugha participated in the battle of Chemankatuk against the forces of the sultan of Ikonion: "Prince of Gag Aghbugha, Vahram the Great's son and Bluz Zakare's grandson, fought bravely against the sultan's troops..."<fnref n="72" />

From the second half of the 13th century onwards, the available historical sources do not contain any information on the castle.

*Topographical Records.* A visitor of the late 19th century describes the monument in the following way, "Since time immemorial the summit of Mount Gag has been encircled by some ramparts within which an impregnable stronghold soars aloft. Unfortunately, this solid fortification, which is quite powerful, is devoid of waterwork. In compensation for that, some stone basins have been built into its walls, that are mostly full of rainwater. The castle has more than 20 caves which may have served as barracks, for several of them have preserved their chimneys."<fnref n="73" />

<footnote n="69">⁶⁹ Vardan Vardapet, p. 145; *Kirakos Gandzaketsy*, p. 163. Another record states, "Vahram also reconquered a great number of districts and fortifications that were under Persian rule, including the castles of Gag, Gardman, Karherdz, Yergevank, Tavush, Katzaret and Terunakan. Shamkor, which had appeared in a tight corner, was later occupied by his son Vahram, who was Saghpugh's father and Vahram, Zakare and Ivane's grandfather."</footnote>

<footnote n="70">⁷⁰ Kirakos Gandzaketsy, p. 252.</footnote>

<footnote n="71">⁷¹ Idem, p. 280.</footnote>

<footnote n="72">⁷² Grigor Aknertsy, pp. 28-29.</footnote>

<footnote n="73">⁷³ *Barkhutariants, M.*, idem, p. 396. For further information on the castle of Gag, see *Hovhannessian, H. M.*, idem, pp. 487-492.</footnote>
THE MONASTERY OF GAG'S ST. SARGIS

*Location.* Gag's St. Sargis Monastery, one of the most famous sanctuaries in medieval Armenia, stands at the top of Mount Gag, hardly half a kilometre east of the frontier of the Republic of Armenia, 4 kilometres west of Dash-Salahli Village, at an altitude of 922 metres above sea level, and 420 metres above the foot of the mountain.

*A Historical Introduction.* Tradition connects the foundation of the monument with War-Lord Sargis, who suffered martyrdom as a preacher of Christianity and was later canonized. Supposedly, Mesrop Mashtots, the creator of the Armenian alphabet, interred part of his remains in Ushi Village of Aragatzotn Marz of the Republic of Armenia, and the rest in the vicinity of Gag Castle. He also built two churches in memory of the saint: "...The history of the church ascribes its foundation to Mesrop Mashtots, who buried part of St. Sargis' head here. The same is also attested by a church song, 'At the top of Mount Gag stands a church blessed by St. Mesrop the Holy Pastor...'"<fnref n="74" />

The fact that Gag Monastery is closely connected with the worship of St. Sargis is also confirmed by some Georgian sources, one of which states, "...A vast multitude of pilgrims from almost all Armenian (Somkhit) cities went to Isfahan, whence they moved Sargis' remains with high honours and brought his right hand to Gag Church built by a certain Petros."<fnref n="75" /> In 1130 "...a huge army of horsemen, comprising barbarians from different tribes, flooded into the plain of Gag, where they wanted to burn the Holy Cross standing in memory of War-Lord Sargis. The Lord, however, gave vent to His wrath and they killed each other in a crazy fight..."<fnref n="76" />

Yeltkuz Atabek, who invaded the field of Gag with an immense army in 1163, wanted to set alight St. Sargis Church. The saint's might, however, saved the monument, for all the enemy forces fell victim to a poisonous snake which suddenly turned up there..."<fnref n="77" />

A 13th-century record mentions Gag's St. Sargis among the oldest and most remarkable monuments in the plain of Gag: "The Georgian territories... extend up to the Caspian Sea and the field of Gag, where St. Sargis stands..."<fnref n="78" />

Further reference is made to the sanctuary in the '30s of the 13th century, when Armenian historiographer Vanakan Tavushetsy the Archimandrite (1181 to 1251), a church and public figure, applied to the inhabitants of Gag Fort for his pupils' and his salvation: "...I am going to kneel before the Holy Cross standing in commemoration of St. Sargis and beg the Lord to redeem us from the cruel enemy..."<fnref n="79" />

Gag's St. Sargis Monastery was a renowned pilgrimage site, believers generally visiting it at Easter and on New Sunday.

**The inscriptions of Gag's St. Sargis Monastery,** which date from the 13th to 19th centuries, are of great historical significance. Unfortunately, however, the specialists, engaged in the copy, decipherment and publication of the region's Armenian lapidary inscriptions, have neglected this. With this respect, S. Jalaliants and the correspondent of the "Ardzagank" constitute the only exception: the latter published 5 inscriptions, of which only one was preserved during our visit to the sanctuary in 1986. Another one had been deliberately scraped out, with only some letters still discernible in certain parts.

**Repairs.** As attested by some inscriptions and archive documents, Gag's St. Sargis Monastery often underwent overhaul. For the last time, Agha Sargis Varshamian undertook renovation there, the work being completed in 1851 by mason Yesayi Nuriniants from Tiflis: "...thanks to their hard, strenuous endeavours, the church went through major overhaul which was completed in the year 1851. Having been rebuilt into a fine stone edifice with an arched ceiling and a small dome, it was also fortified by ramparts. The road leading to the monument, which was once so difficult of passage, was thoroughly repaired so that pilgrims would not face any difficulty in visiting it."<fnref n="80" /> By the way, the renovation expenses totaled 2,210 rubles 23 kopecks, of which 736 had been donated by believers.

Further repairs were carried out in the monastery by Arzuman Khachatrian Ter-Sargissians from Kot Village of Ghazakh District.<fnref n="81" />

Below follow the inscriptions of the sanctuary:

Once carved on the facade of the gavit and obliterated by 1986:

Է ք ա ս տ ո ւ բ ե ա ն վ ր ա ց Գ ա ր գ ա յ...:

<footnote n="74">74 "Ardzagank," 1886, No. 12, p. 161. Some other records read, "...A miracle-working cross, towering at the summit of Gag, attracted all those suffering and held captive. People visited it with profound faith in their hearts, and Sargis the Holy Martyr himself opened the doors of all prisons, broke all iron chains, his vision showing everybody the path they were to follow. The fame of the wonder-working cross, which was said to have been erected by Mesrop the Holy Archimandrite, had permeated through the entire nation" (Kirakos Gandzaketsy, p. 252). "... At the top of Mount Gag, in the vicinity of a castle of the same name founded by King Gagik stands a famous church built in memory of Holy Commander Sargis by Archimandrite Mesrop, the Great Armenian Translator" (Samuel Anetsy, p. 145).</footnote>

<footnote n="75">75 *Melikset-Bek, L. M.*, vol. 1, p. 115.</footnote>

<footnote n="76">76 *Vardan Vardapet*, p. 123.</footnote>

<footnote n="77">77 *Samuel Anetsy*, p. 138.</footnote>

<footnote n="78">78 A Geographical Atlas by **Vardan Vardapet**. Paris, 1960, p. 34, in Armenian.</footnote>

<footnote n="79">79 *Kirakos Gandzaketsy*, pp. 221-252.</footnote>

<footnote n="80">80 National Archives of Armenia, fund 56, list 1, file 3735, p. 1.</footnote>

<footnote n="81">81 *Barkhutariants, M.*, idem, p. 396.</footnote>
<figure><img src="image_421.png" /></figure>

<figure><img src="image_422.png" /><figcaption>GAG. Partial views of a medieval cemetery preserved at the south-western foot of Mount Gag</figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="image_423.png" /></figure>

<figure><img src="image_424.png" /></figure>

transl.: *Under Georgian King Giorgi...*

The Armenian original published in: "Ardzagank," 1886, No. 12, p. 162.

Engraved on the entrance facade of the larger chapel and obliterated by 1986:

Չուրբս յիշատակ և հայրենիք յազգէ յազգ, յորդիցէ յորդիք մինչև յախտեան գանձ մեզ անկողոպտելի. և սկիզբն արարի նորոգման եկեղեցույս, որ խախտեալ էր ի բազում ժամանակաց, և զարդարիցի զայս և շինեցի իմ հաւատարմութեամբ որ ոչ ում աւգնութիւն, ես (առ իս) չկէր և կանգնեցի գփառաւոր նշան ոսկեաւով բազմացուցի ի գլոխ գումքէքին ի բարեխաւտւթիւն ինձ և ծնողաց իմոց և զաւակաց և զորդեցի զժամն յերկրորդի մի շաբաքն աւրն և կիրակնէն մատուցանի ծնողաց իմոց և յետ մահուան իմո ինձ հանապազ, և ով որ խափանէ նգովեալ եղիցի յԱստուծոյ և մասնակից Յուդայի ամէն:

transl.: This sanctuary [which stands] in perpetual memory of all our nation, should be treasured forever by the coming generations. And I initiated the repairs of this church that had been in a dilapidated state for a long time and decorated it, building it through my faithfulness, without anybody's support. All by myself, I erected a magnificent gilded cross on top of its dome in memory of

my parents, children and me. ...On Saturday and Sunday divine service should be held in commemoration of my parents and me after I consign my soul to God. May those who hinder this be cursed by the Lord and share Judas' fate. Amen.

The Armenian original published in: **Jalaliants, S.** Journey to Greater Armenia, part 1. Tpghis, 1842, p. 158; "Ardzagank," 1886, No. 12, pp. 161-162.

Misreading: Jalaliants' decipherment of the end of the inscription reads as follows, "...May those who hinder this and remove the cross be cursed by the Lord and share Judas' fate."

Note: Presumably, the inscription dates from the 13th to 14th centuries.

Carved on the left of the entrance of the smaller chapel and obliterated by 1986:

Ի թույն ՉՀԱ (1332), ես Չվանչէր շինեցի զխորանս և կանգնեցի զխաչս բարե..., ով խափանէք իմ մեղացս տէր է և դատի յԱստուծոյ:

transl.: In the year 1332, I, Jvansher, built the bema and erected a cross in memory of..., may those who ruin it atone for my own sins and stand before the Divine Judgement.

The Armenian original published in: "Ardzagank," 1886, No. 12, p. 162.

Incised into the north-eastern facade of the gavit and obliterated by 1986:

Կամաւն Ա(ստուծո)յ ես Խաչերե/սս Գր(ի)գ(որ) Յակոս կանկ/նեցաք զխաչս ի
քարելխանս մեզ եւ ծն/ողաց մերոն, որ
երկիրպազեր յ(ա)ղ(աւ)քս յ/հշեցեր, իրունի
ՀԱՅԻ (1338):

transl.: By the Lord's will, Grigor, Hakob and I, Khacheres, erected this Holy Cross in memory of our parents' and our souls. May believers remember us in their prayers. In the year 1338.

The Armenian original published in: "Ardzagank," 1886, No. 12, p. 162.

Note: This publication of the inscription contains some minor errors.

Only two lines of a large Armenian inscription are preserved on a fragment fixed in one of the church walls:

...զխաչս ... ինձ / ... (ծնող)աց իսող, որք երկիրպազեր...:

transl.: ...this cross... my parents ...me. May believers...

Published for the first time.

Note: Most of the first line has been deliberately scraped away.

7 lines in the Armenian original (part of the last one in Georgian) carved on the entrance tympanum of the church:

Կառուցաւ Ս(ուր)ք Սարգիս եկեղեցիս ի հիմնել / աշխատուրեամք եւ արդեամքք Ղազիու / զաւառի Կօրի գիտացի Արգուման Խալ/չատուրեան Տէր Սահակեանցի, ի յիշատալիկիր ծնողաց եւ որուն իրոն, / 1838 ... / ...:

transl.: This church of St. Sargis was built from its very foundations through the efforts and means of Arzuman Khachaturian Ter-Sahakiants from Kot Village of Ghazakh District in memory of his parents and sons, 1838 ...

The Armenian original published in: "Ardzagank," 1886, No. 12, p. 161.

Note: This publication of the inscription contains only its initial 5 lines.

By 1886 most of the inscription had been deliberately scraped off, with only some parts discernible.

Preserved in a cave in one of the crevices of Mount Gag:

...ի քուխ հայն Ոճէ (1208), յիշխանուրեան...:

transl.: ...under... in the year 1208 of the Armenian era...

The Armenian original published in: "Ardzagank," 1886, No. 12, p. 162.

Note: "This huge mountain has numerous caves once forming part of a large castle which used to provide shelter for troops, or vast multitudes. Inside the two of them, the rocks are engraved with inscriptions which we were unable to read due to their old age. Besides, some bigoted Turkish stock-breeders generally spending winters there had damaged them out of spite. The only surviving part is the first line, which reads..." ("Ardzagank," ibid).

The fact of the deliberate obliteration of the inscriptions of St. Sargis Monastery was established in 1886, a record stating the following with this connection, "There are some other inscriptions carved near and on

the right of the aforementioned one. However, it is next to impossible to read them either due to their old age or distortion by the enemy..."<fnref n="82" />

The chapel of Sourb Kiraki (Holy Sunday) used to adjoin St. Sargis Monastery.

## DEMIRCHILYAR

Demirchilyar lies on the right bank of the river Kur, 26 kilometres north-west of the district centre, between 250 and 280 metres of altitude above sea level.

It represents a Turkish village founded in the Soviet years.

## DEMIRCHILYAR

Another Turkish village of the same name, it is situated on the right bank of the river Voskepar, 8 kilometres west of the district centre, at an altitude of 370 to 410 metres above sea level.

It was established in the site of an ancient Armenian village in the late 19th century.

The available scanty statistical data on the number of the local population represent the following picture:

<table><thead><tr><td>Year</td><td>Houses</td><td>Males</td><td>Females</td><td>Total</td></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1886<sup>83</sup></td><td>85</td><td>283</td><td>157</td><td>440</td></tr><tr><td>1908<sup>84</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>493</td></tr><tr><td>1914<sup>85</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>495</td></tr><tr><td>1977<sup>86</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>1,111</td></tr></tbody></table>

## DYUZGHESHLAGH (DYUZKHALFALU)

The village is located within 2 kilometres of the left bank of the river Aghstev, 8 kilometres north of the district centre, at an altitude of 320 to 330 metres above sea level.

It was founded in the late 19th century by some stock-breeding Turkish tribes which had already changed to a sedentary life.

The number of the local population was reliably entered into statistical registers only after they had shifted to a sedentary life. Thus, both in 1908⁸⁷ and in 1914, 225 inhabitants were registered in the newly-founded village.<fnref n="88" /> In contrast to that, during their nomadic life, the same people were counted for many times, as a result of which their number was highly exaggerated: for instance, in 1886 62 houses were recorded with 390 inhabitants, including 220 males and 170 females.<fnref n="89" />

<footnote n="82">82 "Ardzagank," 1886, No. 12, p. 162.</footnote>

<footnote n="83">83 A Statistical Survey..., pp. 146-147.</footnote>

<footnote n="84">84 Caucasian Calendar for 1910, p. 239.</footnote>

<footnote n="85">85 Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 117.</footnote>

<footnote n="86">86 SAE, vol. 3, p. 406.</footnote>

<footnote n="87">87 Caucasian Calendar for 1910, p. 250.</footnote>

<footnote n="88">88 Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 123.</footnote>

<footnote n="89">89 A Statistical Survey..., pp. 146-147.</footnote>
## EYNALI

This village, founded in the Soviet years, extends 12 kilometres east of the district centre.

## FARAHLI

Farahli represents a Turkish village situated 18 kilometres west of the district centre, at an altitude of 760 to 850 metres above sea level.

It was founded by some tribes of Turkish stock-breeders who had changed to a sedentary life in the site of an ancient Armenian village in the early 20th century.

According to an inaccurate statistical survey of the local people (their number is highly exaggerated), in 1886 the village had 40 families with 287 inhabitants.<fnref n="90" />

In 1914 it had a sedentary population of 182.<fnref n="91" />

## GHARAHASANLI

The village is located 6 kilometres north-east of the district centre, at an altitude of 320 to 330 metres above sea level.

The available statistical data on the number of the local population represent the following picture: 42 houses with 247 inhabitants (130 males, 117 females)<fnref n="92" /> in 1886, and 286 residents in 1914.<fnref n="93" />

## GHARAPAPAKH

The village, which adjoins Ghazakh City in the north-east, is situated on the right bank of the river Aghstev. It was founded during the period between the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

By 1864 Gharapapakh inhabitants had not changed to a sedentary life yet.<fnref n="94" />

The available scanty statistical data on the number of the local population represent the following picture:

<table><thead><tr><td>Year</td><td>Houses</td><td>Males</td><td>Females</td><td>Total</td></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1886<sup>95</sup></td><td>44</td><td>147</td><td>135</td><td>282</td></tr><tr><td>1907<sup>96</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>299</td></tr><tr><td>1914<sup>97</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>309</td></tr></tbody></table>

## GHAZAKH

**Location.** The city, dating from 1880, was founded in a fertile plain lying on the right bank of the river Aghstev, at an altitude of 350 to 390 metres above sea level.

**Foundation.** Before the establishment of Ghazakh, the administrative centre of the district was the village of Dagh-Kyasaman.

On 11 December 1880, the Caucasian vice-roy issued a decree under which 356 dessiatinas and 490 square sazhens of royal land were to be allocated for the construction of the future city, whose plan had already been approved.<fnref n="98" /> By 1883 the settlement had been granted municipal status.<fnref n="99" />

During the initial period of the existence of Ghazakh, the contemporary press was incredulous about the prospects of its development: "It is only a few years since this town was founded, but the number of the fine houses and shops is increasing here day by day. However, one can hardly think there is any future for it, since the terrible summer heat and unhealthy water can one day reduce it to the state of the township of Tartar in Jvanshir<fnref n="100" /> District."<fnref n="101" />

**Waterwork.** In 1897 the Government planned to introduce water supply system into Ghazakh to keep its inhabitants from moving to Dilijan, that was located in the same district.<fnref n="102" /> It took the local people 23,000 rubles to implement the aforementioned project, for the pipeline extended within a distance of 11 versts of the city.<fnref n="103" />

**Construction Activity.** In 1905 a visitor wrote, "At present Ghazakh is divided into 26 quarters, which consist of 276 subquarters, 156 of them still under construction. Most of the local single-storied, stone buildings represent the municipal style of architecture. The city has a mosque and two churches, one Orthodox and the other Armenian-Gregorian. It also boasts a marketplace located in the centre and surrounded by shopping malls..."<fnref n="104" />

In 1905 District Head Arnold, a person of German origin who was a fervent advocate of the city's progress and enlightenment, "... sold some unoccupied territories to enrich it."<fnref n="105" />

Ghazakh Armenians, who had been absorbed in their daily problems before the outbreak of the **Armeno-Turkish fights between 1905 and 1906**, were severely punished for having completely neglected the organization of their self-defence. The Turks set

<footnote n="90">⁹⁰ A Statistical Survey..., pp. 148-149.</footnote>

<footnote n="91">⁹¹ Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 193.</footnote>

<footnote n="92">⁹² A Statistical Survey..., pp. 146-147.</footnote>

<footnote n="93">⁹³ Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 134.</footnote>

<footnote n="94">⁹⁴ Meves, V., idem, in: "Kavkaz," 1865, No. 85, p. 420.</footnote>

<footnote n="95">⁹⁵ A Statistical Survey..., pp. 144-145.</footnote>

<footnote n="96">⁹⁶ Caucasian Calendar for 1910, p. 276.</footnote>

<footnote n="97">⁹⁷ Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 136.</footnote>

<footnote n="98">⁹⁸ "Kavkaz," Tiflis, 1905, No. 24, p. 3.</footnote>

<footnote n="99">⁹⁹ "Nor-Dar," 1886, No. 208. According to another source, Ghazakh was granted municipal status in 1909 (The Azerbaijanian SSR: Administrative-Territorial Division, p. 9).</footnote>

<footnote n="100">¹⁰⁰ In Yelizavetpol Province of the Caucasian Vice-royalty.</footnote>

<footnote n="101">¹⁰¹ "Ardzagank," 1886, No. 12, p. 162.</footnote>

<footnote n="102">¹⁰² "Nor-Dar," 1887, No. 53, p. 1.</footnote>

<footnote n="103">¹⁰³ "Kavkaz," Tiflis, 1905, No. 24, p. 3.</footnote>

<footnote n="104">¹⁰⁴ Ibid. (the original reads, "Въ настоящее время Казах разбить на 26 кварталовъ, въ которыхъ состоить 276 участковъ, изъ незастроенныхъ осталось всего 156. Большинство построекъ въ Казахе каменныя, одноэтажныя, городского типа. Имеются православная и армяно-григорианския церкви и магометанская мечеть. Посреди города расположена базарная площадь, окруженная торговыми рядами лавокъ").</footnote>

<footnote n="105">¹⁰⁵ National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 1254, p. 1.</footnote>
<figure><img src="image_425.png" /><figcaption>GHAZAKH. Archaeological finds unearthed on the hill of Saritapa</figcaption></figure>

alight the Jaghetiants', Melik-Israyelian's, Gulumian's, Khachatrian's and others' houses, plundering and destroying the local church and school. The Armenian citizens, who had lost everything they once possessed, could hardly have a narrow escape from extermination by running away to Tiflis and the nearby Armenian-populated villages.<fnref n="106" />

**Archaeological Monuments.** Between 1956 and 1957, the Caucasian Archaeological Expedition (headed by I. Narimanov) of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Azerbaijan conducted excavations in an ancient site located at the western extremity of Ghazakh City, in the territory of a brick mill, in the vicinity of a hill called Saritapa. The study of the archaeological finds revealed that the site dated back to the beginning of the I millennium B.C.<fnref n="107" />

**Population.** From the very day of its foundation, Ghazakh was populated by the Armenians.

As a postal station, it attracted tradesmen as a most convenient place of work. In 1885 the majority of the local merchants were Armenians, which is confirmed by the following record, "The population mainly consists of Armenian and foreign salesmen who have come

here from different places..."<fnref n="108" /> The newly-arrived settlers comprised both citizens and villagers: "Most of the inhabitants who are resettlers from Shushi and the nearby villages are occupied with trade and various crafts."<fnref n="109" />

The available statistical records on the number of the local population represent the following picture:

<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Houses</th><th>Males</th><th>Females</th><th>Total</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1890<sup>110</sup></td><td>50</td><td>120</td><td>110</td><td>230</td></tr><tr><td>1895<sup>111</sup></td><td></td><td>248</td><td>114</td><td>362</td></tr><tr><td>1897<sup>112</sup></td><td>60</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1900<sup>113</sup></td><td></td><td>300</td><td>150</td><td>450</td></tr><tr><td>1902<sup>114</sup></td><td></td><td>190</td><td>151</td><td>341</td></tr><tr><td>1917<sup>115</sup></td><td>60</td><td></td><td></td><td>320</td></tr></tbody></table>

In 1905 Ghazakh had 3,380 residents, the majority of them being Turks who had numerical superiority over the local Armenians and the small number of Russians.<fnref n="116" />

Before the foundation of a church, a prayer-house was built in Ghazakh, its construction lasting from 1885 until 1887.<fnref n="117" /> By 1886 some parts of the sanctuary, which is also referred to as a church in certain press publications, had already been completed. With this regard, a quotation states, "Through the strenuous efforts of local priest Abgarios Ter-Harutiunian, the walls of Ghazakh's church have already been erected. Now at least another 300 to 500 rubles are necessary for the accomplishment of its roof."<fnref n="118" />

In 1890 Baku inhabitants Elizabeth Sargissians and her brother, forest-guard Grigor Youzbashiants, embarked upon the overhaul of the prayer-house, which was consecrated on 29 October of the same year.<fnref n="119" />

The sanctuary served the citizens of Ghazakh until the construction of a church in 1901.<fnref n="120" />

In 1907 the parishioners of the city made a unanimous decision to "...reconstruct our old prayer-house and put it at the school's disposal."<fnref n="121" />

**St. Vardan Church.** In 1885 the Armenians of Ghazakh, who had been anxious about having their own church since the early 1880s, initiated fund-raising for that purpose: "...the people who are desperate for a

<footnote n="106">106 A-Do, idem, p. 360.</footnote>

<footnote n="107">107 Narimanov, I. Archaeological Excavations in the Settlement Site of the Hill of Saritapa (1956 to 1957). In: "Izvestya Akademii Nauk Azerbaijanskoy SSR," 1959, No. 3, pp. 31-43, in Russian.</footnote>

<footnote n="108">108 "Nor-Dar," 1885, No. 58, p. 1.</footnote>

<footnote n="109">109 "Ardzagank," 1897, No. 35, p. 3.</footnote>

<footnote n="110">110 **Barkhutariants**, M., idem, p. 60.</footnote>

<footnote n="111">111 "Ardzagank," 1895, No. 19, p. 3.</footnote>

<footnote n="112">112 "Ardzagank," 1897, No. 35, p. 3.</footnote>

<footnote n="113">113 National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3905, p. 28.</footnote>

<footnote n="114">114 National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3907, pp. 27-28.</footnote>

<footnote n="115">115 Avetissian, M. M., idem, p. 167.</footnote>

<footnote n="116">116 "Kavkaz," Tiflis, 1905, No. 24, p. 3.</footnote>

<footnote n="117">117 "Nor-Dar," 1887, No. 192, p. 3; No. 210, p. 2.</footnote>

<footnote n="118">118 "Nor-Dar," 1886, No. 208.</footnote>

<footnote n="119">119 "Ardzagank," 1890, No. 174, p. 2.</footnote>

<footnote n="120">120 National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 1254, p. 6.</footnote>

<footnote n="121">121 Idem, p. 14.</footnote>
<figure><img src="image_426.png" /><figcaption>GHAZAKH. St. Vardan Church (photo by courtesy of S. Darchinian)</figcaption></figure>

church have already embarked upon collecting money..."<fnref n="122" /> Soon, however, turned up a person who was willing to sponsor the construction of the sanctuary: "...Gandzak inhabitant Maki Ghazariants has applied to the leader of Tiflis Diocese for permission to build a church in Ghazakh with his own means. The construction expenses will amount to a minimum of 5,000 rubles. Both the priest and his flock are happy they will soon have a magnificent church."<fnref n="123" />

The foundations of the monument being blessed on 17 June 1889,<fnref n="124" /> Maki (Mkrtich) Jaghetiants embarked upon work. On 22 July 1890, however, he consigned his soul to God,<fnref n="125" /> handing down its completion to his son Alexandre. In the following several years (1890,<fnref n="126" /> 1891,<fnref n="127" /> 1895), the implementation of the project proceeded without any obstacles: "...At present a church is under construction with Mr. Jaghetiants' means..."<fnref n="128" />

The sanctuary was accomplished in 1901.

"During the feast of New Sunday celebrated on 8 April" 1901, "the solemn consecration of Ghazakh's newly-built Armenian church was held, with Bishop Anania, the vicar of Gandzak Diocese, officiating at the ceremony with ten priests..."<fnref n="129" /> On the same day, a lavish dinner party was given in honour of some 200 guests, and Alexandre Jaghetiants addressed them with the following remarkable speech, "My late father, who laid the foundations of St. Vardan Church, was destined to see its walls erected only to a height of 1.5 arshins. He failed to see it completed in his lifetime and yielded up his spirit to God, charging me with its accomplishment. To tell the truth, I myself was in rather a grave financial predicament at that time, but I carried

on the work, believing in the Lord's support. As you can see in the printed estimate of expenditures, I have spent 18, 500 rubles on this sacred building, which I am dedicating to my parents' memory. My only request to you is to keep a small corner near my parents' graves for my own remains."<fnref n="130" />

A short time later, the Catholicos addressed a bull of blessing and gratitude "...to Mr. Alexandre M. Jaghetiants for the construction of Ghazakh's church..."<fnref n="131" /> Another bull entitled his descendants to be buried in the church gavit.<fnref n="132" />

During the Armeno-Turkish fights of 1905 to 1906, St. Vardan Church was again plundered.

Different documents and letters written between 1907 and 1912 reveal that Ghazakh inhabitants wished to repair the church enclosure at an estimated 181 rubles. It was to be rebuilt of oak and have two gates fortified by iron wire. For the completion of that project, a Board of Trustees was approved with Guerasim Baghramiants, Ivan Jaghetiants and Matthew Baghdasariants as its members.<fnref n="133" /> Finally, in 1912 the spiritual powers granted permission for the beginning of the work.

In February 1918, Ghazakh Armenians abandoned the city for reasons of security and found haven in Karvansara (the present-day city of Ijevan in Tavush Marz of the Republic of Armenia). St. Vardan Church, which had been left derelict, was plundered by some Turkish bandits. With this regard, parish priest Zakaria Apressiants writes the following, "...in March the word spread that certain dark, bigoted Turkish elements had robbed and desecrated the Armenian and Orthodox churches of the city. Unwilling to believe that news which I regarded absolutely groundless, I started making inquiries which came to confirm what we had heard... The church had truly been pillaged: the brigands had first broken its windows and then committed various actions defiling the sanctuary. In the meantime, the authorities of Ghazakh did not bother themselves to take any measures against that, evidently finding it beyond the confines of their duties and responsibility..."<fnref n="134" />

<footnote n="122">122 "Nor-Dar," 1885, No. 58, p. 1.</footnote>

<footnote n="123">123 "Nor-Dar," 1887, No. 46, p. 3.</footnote>

<footnote n="124">124 "Mshak," 1889, No. 74, p. 3; "Ardzagank," 1890, No. 23, p. 8.</footnote>

<footnote n="125">125 "Ardzagank," 1890, No. 23, p. 8.</footnote>

<footnote n="126">126 "Ardzagank," 1890, No. 40, p. 4.</footnote>

<footnote n="127">127 "Mshak," 1891, No. 51, p. 3.</footnote>

<footnote n="128">128 "Ardzagank," 1895, No. 19, p. 3.</footnote>

<footnote n="129">129 "Mshak," 1901, No. 87, p. 3.</footnote>

<footnote n="130">130 "Taraz," 1901, No. 19, p. 220.</footnote>

<footnote n="131">131 "Ararat," 1901, p. 264. Also see National Archives of Armenia, fund 56, list 18, file 421, p. 4.</footnote>

<footnote n="132">132 "Ararat," 1901, p. 478. Al. Jaghetiants, who died in Karvansara on 26 August 1916, was buried in the gavit of St. Vardan Church. The following quotation provides an account of his burial ceremony, "The late Jaghetiants' funeral was also attended by some Turkish landowners and clergymen who expressed their gratitude to him for his great contribution to the accomplishment of the city's mosque." **Kharatian, H.** Mkrtich and Alexandre Jaghetiants as the Builders of Ghazakh's St. Vardan Church. In: "Echmiatzin," 1994, Nos. 6-7, p. 96, in Armenian.</footnote>

<footnote n="133">133 National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 1254, pp. 13, 15-18, 21.</footnote>

<footnote n="134">134 The Armenian Massacres in the Provinces of Baku and Yeliza-</footnote>
Priests. Zakaria Apressiants, who was ordained on 2 April 1896, served the local community untill 1918¹³⁵ (Ghazakh had not had its own priest formerly). A graduate of Tiflis' Nersissian School, he had worked as a teacher for four years,<fnref n="136" /> before occupying the post of spiritual shepherd.

In 1884 the issue of founding an Orthodox church in Ghazakh was put under consideration.<fnref n="137" /> By 1905 that sanctuary had already been accomplished.<fnref n="138" />

In 1899 a Turkish mosque was built in the city and dedicated to a certain Israfil Agha.<fnref n="139" />

### The Local Armenian Institutions of Education.

In 1873 Ghazakh had a functioning male school (its foundation date is unknown) with a teacher and 57 pupils.<fnref n="140" /> No information is available on its activity between 1873 and 1895.<fnref n="141" />

In 1895 the city had another functioning male school which might be the one founded by Alexandre Jaghetians.<fnref n="142" />

Ghazakh also had a female school, mentioned only in 1873, when it had a female teacher and 7 pupils.<fnref n="143" />

The available records on the activity of Ghazakh's unisex school represent the following picture:

<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>More Info</th><th>Teachers</th><th>Males</th><th>Females</th><th>Total</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1894<sup>144</sup></td><td></td><td>2</td><td>17</td><td>8</td><td>25</td></tr><tr><td>1907/08<sup>145</sup></td><td>Single-class</td><td></td><td>16</td><td>15</td><td>31</td></tr><tr><td>1908/09<sup>146</sup></td><td></td><td>2</td><td>33</td><td>25</td><td>58</td></tr><tr><td>1911/12<sup>147</sup></td><td>Functioned on a four-year basis</td><td>1</td><td>17</td><td>12</td><td>29</td></tr><tr><td>1914<sup>148</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>37</td></tr></tbody></table>

vetpol (1918 to 1920). A Collection of Documents. Yerevan, 2003, p. 69 (the Russian original reads, "...уже в марте месяце стали до нас доходить слухи о том, что армянская и православная церковь подверглись разграблению и кощунственному отношению со стороны фанатично настроенных масс. Считая эти слухи лишенными правдоподобности, я стал наводить более точные справки, коими вполне подтвердилось все то, что до этого говорилось... разграбили церковь, предварительно выломав окна и совершив кощунственные действия, а казахская администрация в это время никаких мер не принимала, считая это, очевидно, вне круга своих обязанностей...").

The institution was plundered during the Armeno-Turkish fights of 1905 to 1906. In 1907 the local inhabitants applied to the spiritual powers for support "...to repair the building of the parish school and provide it with new desks as well as all the necessary equipment."<fnref n="149" />

### GHAZAKHBEYLI

The village, founded in the early 19th century, is situated 9 kilometres north-west of the district centre, at an average altitude of 340 metres above sea level.

In 1886 the nomadic community of Ghazakhbeyli comprised 60 families with 277 people.<fnref n="150" /> The local inhabitants amounted to 166 in 1908,<fnref n="151" /> and 175 in 1914.<fnref n="152" />

### GHERAGH-KYASAMAN

Gheragh-Kyasaman lies on the right bank of the river Kur, 16 kilometres north-east of the district centre, at an altitude of 200 to 205 metres above sea level.

At present it is divided in two parts which originally constituted distinct villages, i.e. Verin (Upper) and Nerkin (Lower) Gheragh-Kyasaman.

The available statistical data on the number of the inhabitants of Verin Gheragh-Kyasaman represent the following picture:

<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Houses</th><th>Males</th><th>Females</th><th>Total</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1886<sup>153</sup></td><td>342</td><td>1,166</td><td>848</td><td>2,014</td></tr><tr><td>1908<sup>154</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>1,833</td></tr><tr><td>1914<sup>155</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>2,488</td></tr></tbody></table>

The population of Nerkin Gheragh-Kyasaman formed the following number:

<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Houses</th><th>Males</th><th>Females</th><th>Total</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1886<sup>156</sup></td><td>253</td><td>753</td><td>538</td><td>1,291</td></tr><tr><td>1908<sup>157</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>1,537</td></tr><tr><td>1914<sup>158</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>1,546</td></tr></tbody></table>

In 1977 the residents of both parts of the village together amounted to 1,306.<fnref n="159" />

### GHEREKHLI

The village, established in the early 20th century, extends 13 kilometres east of the district centre.

In 1914 it had a population of 81.<fnref n="160" />

<footnote n="135">135 National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 1079, p. 3. Also see The Armenian Massacres in the Provinces of Baku and Yelizavetpol (1918 to 1920), p. 69.</footnote>

<footnote n="136">136 "Ardzagank," 1897, No. 35, p. 3.</footnote>

<footnote n="137">137 "Nor-Dar," 1888, No. 52, p. 2.</footnote>

<footnote n="138">138 "Kavkaz," Tiflis, 1905, No. 24, p. 3.</footnote>

<footnote n="139">139 Fatullayev, Sh. S., idem, p. 433.</footnote>

<footnote n="140">140 Khudoyan, S., idem, p. 492.</footnote>

<footnote n="141">141 "Ardzagank," 1895, No. 19, p. 3.</footnote>

<footnote n="142">142 "Mshak," 1916, No. 216. Benefactor Jaghetians also donated some money for the further activity of the school.</footnote>

<footnote n="143">143 Khudoyan, S., ibid.</footnote>

<footnote n="144">144 National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3896, p. 34; file 3895, p. 99.</footnote>

<footnote n="145">145 National Archives of Armenia, fund 35, list 1, file 372, p. 1. Also see Khudoyan, S., idem, p. 492.</footnote>

<footnote n="146">146 National Archives of Armenia, fund 57, list 2, file 1849, p. 18. Also see fund 35, list 1, file 434, p. 1.</footnote>

<footnote n="147">147 National Archives of Armenia, fund 35, list 1, file 682, p. 58. Khudoyan, S., idem, p. 492.</footnote>

<footnote n="148">148 Khudoyan, S., idem, p. 492.</footnote>

<footnote n="149">149 National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 1254, p. 13.</footnote>

<footnote n="150">150 A Statistical Survey..., pp. 150-151.</footnote>

<footnote n="151">151 Caucasian Calendar for 1910, p. 266.</footnote>

<footnote n="152">152 Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 131.</footnote>

<footnote n="153">153 A Statistical Survey..., pp. 148-149.</footnote>

<footnote n="154">154 Caucasian Calendar for 1910, p. 298.</footnote>

<footnote n="155">155 Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 146.</footnote>

<footnote n="156">156 A Statistical Survey..., pp. 148-149.</footnote>

<footnote n="157">157 Caucasian Calendar for 1910, p. 298.</footnote>

<footnote n="158">158 Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 146.</footnote>

<footnote n="159">159 SAE, vol. 3, p. 164.</footnote>

<footnote n="160">160 Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 142.</footnote>
## GHEZEL-HAJILI

The village is situated on the right bank of the river Voskepar, 16 kilometres west of the district centre, between 590 and 640 metres of altitude above sea level.

In the late 19th century, the newly-founded settlement consisted of several winter encampments belonging to some Turkish landowners.<fnref n="161" />

The available scanty statistical data on the number of the local population represent the following picture:

<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Houses</th><th>Males</th><th>Females</th><th>Total</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1886<sup>162</sup></td><td>56</td><td>161</td><td>125</td><td>286</td></tr><tr><td>1907<sup>163</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>390</td></tr><tr><td>1914<sup>164</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>402</td></tr></tbody></table>

## GHUSHCHI-AYRUM

The village is located 22 kilometres west of the district centre, at an altitude of 820 to 900 metres above sea level.

The Ayrums, representing a tribe of Turkish stockbreeders, changed to a sedentary life in the site of a derelict ancient Armenian village in the late 19th century. As of 1864, however, the nomadic community of Ghushchi-Ayrum, that comprised 176 families, lived scattered not only throughout the district but in the neighbouring country as well. The following record gives us an eloquent picture about the location of the houses of the members of this tribe, “Four families within twenty versts, three houses situated still farther, i.e. within fifteen versts, another family within thirty versts and twelve more houses within ten versts. Besides, three families of this tribe live in Karabakh and two in Persia. Thus, house by house should be registered to finally achieve their true number, i.e. 176 families...”<fnref n="165" />

The available statistical data on the number of the local population represent the following picture:

<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Houses</th><th>Males</th><th>Females</th><th>Total</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1886<sup>166</sup></td><td>59</td><td>221</td><td>105</td><td>326</td></tr><tr><td>1908<sup>167</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>444</td></tr><tr><td>1914<sup>168</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>462</td></tr></tbody></table>

## GYOJJALI

Gyoyjali extends on the left bank of the river Hakhum, 11 kilometres south-east of the district centre, at an altitude of 430 to 480 metres above sea level.

The available statistical data on the number of the population of this Turkish village represent the following picture:

<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Houses</th><th>Males</th><th>Females</th><th>Total</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1886<sup>169</sup></td><td>304</td><td>847</td><td>613</td><td>1,460</td></tr><tr><td>1908<sup>170</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>985</td></tr><tr><td>1914<sup>171</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>2,985</td></tr><tr><td>1981<sup>172</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>1,795</td></tr></tbody></table>

## JAFARLI

The village is situated on the left bank of the river Aghstev (presently turned into a water reservoir), 12 kilometres south-west of the district centre, at an altitude of 480 to 510 metres above sea level.

The available scanty statistical data on the number of the local population represent the following picture:

<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Houses</th><th>Males</th><th>Females</th><th>Total</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1886<sup>173</sup></td><td>48</td><td>134</td><td>83</td><td>217</td></tr><tr><td>1908<sup>174</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>332</td></tr><tr><td>1914<sup>175</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>302</td></tr><tr><td>1986<sup>176</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>1,579</td></tr></tbody></table>

## JANALI

The village extends 3.5 kilometres north-west of the district centre, at an altitude of 380 to 390 metres above sea level.

The available scanty statistical data on the number of the local population represent the following picture:

<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Houses</th><th>Males</th><th>Females</th><th>Total</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1886<sup>177</sup></td><td>38</td><td>146</td><td>112</td><td>258</td></tr><tr><td>1908<sup>178</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>102</td></tr><tr><td>1914<sup>179</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>103</td></tr></tbody></table>

## KAYMAGHLI

Kaymaghli lies 24 kilometres north-west of the district centre, at an altitude of 400 to 480 metres above sea level.

It was founded by some stock-breeding Turkish tribes which had changed to a sedentary life in the second half of the 19th century.

The available statistical data on the number of the local population represent the following picture:

<footnote n="161">161 National Archives of Armenia, fund 93, list 1, file 388, pp. 18-19, 25-26, 28-30, 39-40.</footnote>

<footnote n="162">162 A Statistical Survey..., pp. 82-83.</footnote>

<footnote n="163">163 Caucasian Calendar for 1910, p. 287.</footnote>

<footnote n="164">164 Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 141.</footnote>

<footnote n="165">165 Meves, V., idem, in: “Kavkaz,” 1865, No. 85, p. 420 (the Russian original reads, “Верст за 20 отсюда живут 4 дыма, дальше верст 15 живут 3 дыма; дальше, верст 30 в сторону, живут 1 дым; дальше, верстах в 10, живут 12 дымов; в Карабахе 3 дыма, в Персии 2 дыма. И так продолжает высчитывать всех поименно, пока не составится 176 дымов...”).</footnote>

<footnote n="166">166 A Statistical Survey..., pp. 148-149.</footnote>

<footnote n="167">167 Caucasian Calendar for 1910, p. 303.</footnote>

<footnote n="168">168 Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 149.</footnote>

<footnote n="169">169 A Statistical Survey..., pp. 144-145 (these figures are not trustworthy at all).</footnote>

<footnote n="170">170 Caucasian Calendar for 1910, p. 221.</footnote>

<footnote n="171">171 Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 109.</footnote>

<footnote n="172">172 SAE, vol. 6, p. 111.</footnote>

<footnote n="173">173 A Statistical Survey..., pp. 152-153.</footnote>

<footnote n="174">174 Caucasian Calendar for 1910, p. 242.</footnote>

<footnote n="175">175 Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 119.</footnote>

<footnote n="176">176 SAE, vol. 10, p. 431.</footnote>

<footnote n="177">177 A Statistical Survey..., pp. 144-145.</footnote>

<footnote n="178">178 Caucasian Calendar for 1910, p. 241.</footnote>

<footnote n="179">179 Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 118.</footnote>
<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Houses</th><th>Males</th><th>Females</th><th>Total</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1886<sup>180</sup></td><td>108</td><td>389</td><td>279</td><td>668</td></tr><tr><td>1914<sup>181</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>1,472</td></tr><tr><td>1977<sup>182</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>1,990</td></tr></tbody></table>

## KECHASKER

This Turkish village extends 14 kilometres south-east of the district centre.

It was established in the late 19th century by some cattle-breeding tribes which had already changed to a sedentary life.

The available scanty statistical data on the number of the local population represent the following picture:

<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Houses</th><th>Males</th><th>Females</th><th>Total</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1886<sup>183</sup></td><td>101</td><td>433</td><td>289</td><td>722</td></tr><tr><td>1908<sup>184</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>785</td></tr><tr><td>1914<sup>185</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>1,032</td></tr></tbody></table>

## KELKHALAFLI

Kelkhalafli is situated within hardly a kilometre of the left bank of the river Aghstev, 14 kilometres north-east of the district centre, at an average altitude of 240 metres above sea level.

In 1914 it had 216 inhabitants.<fnref n="186" />

## KEMERLI

Kemerli represents a Turkish village lying on both banks of the river Koghbopor, 26 kilometres north-west of the district centre, at an altitude of 440 to 550 metres above sea level.

It was established in the site of a derelict ancient Armenian village in the second half of the 19th century. In the early 20th century, it was divided in two parts named Verin (Upper) and Nerkin (Lower) Kemerli, which later united and formed a village extending at a distance of about 5 kilometres.

The available scanty statistical data on the number of the local population represent the following picture:

<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Houses</th><th>Males</th><th>Females</th><th>Total</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1886<sup>187</sup></td><td>193</td><td>597</td><td>423</td><td>1,020</td></tr><tr><td>1914<sup>188</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>1,557</td></tr><tr><td>1980<sup>189</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>2,603</td></tr></tbody></table>

## KHEYRIMLI

The village, which almost adjoins Kirants Village of Tavush Marz, Republic of Armenia, in the east, is

situated 22 kilometres south-west of the district centre, at an altitude of 660 to 700 metres above sea level.

Originally a small village established in the early 20th century, it was enlarged by the Azerbaijani authorities in the Soviet years. They were guided by purely political considerations, their action being motivated by the strategic importance of Ijevan-Noyemberian Highway of the Republic of Armenia.

Kheylimli had 75 inhabitants in 1886,<fnref n="190" /> and 78 in 1914.<fnref n="191" />

## KHILKHINA (KHULKHINA)

The village extends 10 kilometres north-east of the district centre, between 300 and 305 metres of altitude above sea level.

In 1914 it had a population of 311.<fnref n="192" />

## KOLAIR (KOLAGIR)

Kolair is located 9 kilometres north of the district centre, at an altitude of 310 to 320 metres above sea level.

The available statistical data on the number of the local Turkish inhabitants represent the following picture:

<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Houses</th><th>Males</th><th>Females</th><th>Total</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1886<sup>193</sup></td><td>33</td><td>116</td><td>73</td><td>189</td></tr><tr><td>1907<sup>194</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>298</td></tr><tr><td>1914<sup>195</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>321</td></tr></tbody></table>

## KOSALAR

The village is situated 5 kilometres north of the district centre, at an average altitude of 320 metres above sea level.

It was established in the late 19th century by some cattle-breeding tribes which had changed to a sedentary life.

The available scanty statistical data on the number of the local people represent the following picture:

<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Houses</th><th>Males</th><th>Females</th><th>Total</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1886<sup>196</sup></td><td>125</td><td>514</td><td>380</td><td>894</td></tr><tr><td>1907<sup>197</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>460</td></tr><tr><td>1914<sup>198</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>467</td></tr><tr><td>1980<sup>199</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>2,782</td></tr></tbody></table>

<footnote n="180">180 A Statistical Survey..., pp. 144-145.</footnote>

<footnote n="181">181 Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 131.</footnote>

<footnote n="182">182 SAE, vol. 3, p. 6.</footnote>

<footnote n="183">183 A Statistical Survey..., pp. 150-151.</footnote>

<footnote n="184">184 Caucasian Calendar for 1910, p. 297.</footnote>

<footnote n="185">185 Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 146.</footnote>

<footnote n="186">186 Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 139.</footnote>

<footnote n="187">187 A Statistical Survey..., pp. 146-147.</footnote>

<footnote n="188">188 Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 150.</footnote>

<footnote n="189">189 SAE, vol. 5, p. 338.</footnote>

<footnote n="190">190 A Statistical Survey..., pp. 144-145.</footnote>

<footnote n="191">191 Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 197.</footnote>

<footnote n="192">192 Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 197.</footnote>

<footnote n="193">193 A Statistical Survey..., pp. 146-147.</footnote>

<footnote n="194">194 Caucasian Calendar for 1910, p. 283.</footnote>

<footnote n="195">195 Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 139.</footnote>

<footnote n="196">196 A Statistical Survey..., pp. 152-153 (these figures are, evidently, exaggerated).</footnote>

<footnote n="197">197 Caucasian Calendar for 1910, p. 285.</footnote>

<footnote n="198">198 Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 140.</footnote>

<footnote n="199">199 SAE, vol. 5, p. 526.</footnote>
## KYOHNAGHESHLAGH

This Turkish village, dating back to the early 20th century, lies 12 kilometres south-east of the district centre.

It was founded in the site of an ancient Armenian village by some stock-breeding tribes which had shifted to a sedentary life.

The local inhabitants amounted to 335 in 1907,<fnref n="200" /> and 338 in 1914.<fnref n="201" />

## MARXOVKA

The village, that was founded in the Soviet years, extends 9 kilometres north-east of the district centre.

In 1981 it had a population of 1,517.<fnref n="202" />

## MAZAMLI

Mazamli represents a Turkish village located on the left bank of the river Voskepar, 20 kilometres west of the district centre, at an altitude of 650 to 700 metres above sea level.

It was established in the site of a derelict Armenian village in the late 19th century.

The available statistical data on the number of the local population represent the following picture:

<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Houses</th><th>Males</th><th>Females</th><th>Total</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1886<sup>203</sup></td><td>25</td><td>62</td><td>47</td><td>109</td></tr><tr><td>1908<sup>204</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>243</td></tr><tr><td>1914<sup>205</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>245</td></tr></tbody></table>

## MOLLAJAFARLI

This village, tracing back to the early 20th century, extends 9 kilometres north-east of the district centre.

## MUSAKEY (KHANUKHLAR METZ)

The village lies on the right bank of the river Aghstev, 5 kilometres south-west of the district centre, at an altitude of 400 to 420 metres above sea level.

An 18th-century watchtower, called Ditavan, is preserved in its territory.

In 1908²⁰⁶ and 1914, the local people totaled 258.<fnref n="207" />

## OMARAGHALI

This Turkish village, founded in the early 20th century, is situated on the right bank of the river Kur, 25 kilometres north-west of the district centre.

In 1907 it had a population of 58.<fnref n="208" />

## ORTA-SALAHLI

The village is located 11 kilometres north of the district centre, at an altitude of 300 to 320 metres above sea level.

In 1983 it had 1,123 inhabitants.<fnref n="209" />

Some tombs, dating back to the pre-Christian era, have been discovered in the vicinity of the village.

## PIRILI

The village lies within 2 kilometres of the right bank of the river Kur, 13 kilometres north of the district centre, at an average altitude of 300 metres above sea level.

The available scanty statistical data on the number of the local population represent the following picture:

<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Houses</th><th>Males</th><th>Females</th><th>Total</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1886<sup>210</sup></td><td>104</td><td>343</td><td>290</td><td>633</td></tr><tr><td>1908<sup>211</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>1,152</td></tr><tr><td>1914<sup>212</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>783</td></tr></tbody></table>

## POYLU

Poylu represents a Turkish village extending on the right bank of the river Aghstev, within hardly a kilometre of the confluence of the rivers Aghstev and Kur, 10 kilometres north-east of the district centre, at an altitude of 210 to 220 metres above sea level.

It was established in the site of a derelict ancient Armenian village in the late 19th century.

The available scanty statistical data on the number of the local population represent the following picture:

<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Houses</th><th>Males</th><th>Females</th><th>Total</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1886<sup>213</sup></td><td>149</td><td>508</td><td>388</td><td>896</td></tr><tr><td>1908<sup>214</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>1,133</td></tr><tr><td>1914<sup>215</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>1,236</td></tr><tr><td>1983<sup>216</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>2,527</td></tr></tbody></table>

Some tombs, tracing back to the late 19th century, have been preserved in the village territory.

## SHEKHLI-1

The village is situated on the right bank of the river Kur, 28 kilometres north-west of the district centre, at an altitude of 275 to 290 metres above sea level.

The available scanty statistical data on the number of the local population represent the following picture:

<footnote n="200">200 Caucasian Calendar for 1910, p. 283.</footnote>

<footnote n="201">201 Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 139.</footnote>

<footnote n="202">202 SAE, vol. 6, p. 373.</footnote>

<footnote n="203">203 A Statistical Survey..., pp. 144-145.</footnote>

<footnote n="204">204 Caucasian Calendar for 1910, p. 312.</footnote>

<footnote n="205">205 Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 153.</footnote>

<footnote n="206">206 Caucasian Calendar for 1910, p. 204.</footnote>

<footnote n="207">207 Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 99.</footnote>

<footnote n="208">208 Caucasian Calendar for 1910, p. 340.</footnote>

<footnote n="209">209 SAE, vol. 7, p. 377.</footnote>

<footnote n="210">210 A Statistical Survey..., pp. 150-151.</footnote>

<footnote n="211">211 Caucasian Calendar for 1910, p. 347.</footnote>

<footnote n="212">212 Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 172.</footnote>

<footnote n="213">213 A Statistical Survey..., pp. 150-151.</footnote>

<footnote n="214">214 Caucasian Calendar for 1910, p. 348.</footnote>

<footnote n="215">215 Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 173.</footnote>

<footnote n="216">216 SAE, vol. 7, p. 569.</footnote>
<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Houses</th><th>Males</th><th>Females</th><th>Total</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1886<sup>217</sup></td><td>325</td><td>1176</td><td>881</td><td>2,057</td></tr><tr><td>1908<sup>218</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>2,400</td></tr><tr><td>1914<sup>219</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>2,570</td></tr><tr><td>1977<sup>220</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>2,209</td></tr></tbody></table>

Three 19th-century tombs have been preserved in the village.

### SHEKHLI-2

This Turkish village is located on the right bank of the river Kur, 33 kilometres north-west of the district centre, at an altitude of 270 to 300 metres above sea level.

It was founded in the second half of the 19th century.

The available scanty statistical data on the number of the local population represent the following picture:

<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Houses</th><th>Males</th><th>Females</th><th>Total</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1886<sup>221</sup></td><td>318</td><td>1126</td><td>778</td><td>1,904</td></tr><tr><td>1908<sup>222</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>1,867</td></tr><tr><td>1914<sup>223</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>2,034</td></tr><tr><td>1979<sup>224</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>3,027</td></tr></tbody></table>

The village retains a tomb dating back to the late 19th century.

### SOFULU

Sofulu represents a Turkish village extending on the left bank of the river Aghstev, 16 kilometres south-west of the district centre, at an altitude of 420 to 460 metres above sea level.

It was founded by some stock-breeders who had changed to a sedentary life in the late 19th century.

The available statistical data on the number of the local population represent the following picture: 17 houses with 103 inhabitants<fnref n="225" /> in 1886, and 128 residents<fnref n="226" /> in 1914.

### TATLI

The village lies on the left bank of the river Hakhum, 10 kilometres south-west of the district centre, at an altitude of 500 to 540 metres above sea level.

It was set up by some stock-breeders who had changed to a sedentary life in the late 19th century. In 1886 they were referred to as ‘Tats,’ in 1914 as ‘Tatars,’ and later as ‘Azerbaijanians.’

The available scanty statistical data on the number of the local population represent the following picture:

<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Houses</th><th>Males</th><th>Females</th><th>Total</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1886<sup>227</sup></td><td>229</td><td>806</td><td>518</td><td>1,324</td></tr><tr><td>1914<sup>228</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>940</td></tr></tbody></table>

### URKMAZLI

Urkmazli is another Turkish village situated on the left bank of the river Voskanapat, 9 kilometres west of the district centre, at an altitude of 470 to 490 metres above sea level.

It was established in the site of an ancient derelict Armenian village in the late 19th century.

The available statistical data on the number of the local population represent the following picture: 45 families with 260 residents in 1886,<fnref n="229" /> 300²³⁰ inhabitants in 1908, and 266 in 1914.<fnref n="231" />

### YARADULU

The village, that adjoins the frontier of the Republic of Armenia and Tatli Village, is located on the left bank of the river Hakhum, 9.5 kilometres south-east of the district centre.

It had 151²³² inhabitants in 1908, and 120 in 1914.<fnref n="233" />

### YUKHARI-ASKIPARA (HIN, VERIN VOSKEPAR)

The village, forming part of Tavush Marz of the Republic of Armenia at present, extends on the left bank of the river Voskepar, 28 kilometres west of the district centre, at an altitude of 780 to 850 metres above sea level.

The site of the ancient Armenian village provided shelter for some stock-breeding Turkish tribes in the late 19th century.

It was only during the Liberation Struggle of Artsakh that it got rid of the alien elements.

The available scanty statistical data on the number of the local population represent the following picture:

<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Houses</th><th>Males</th><th>Females</th><th>Total</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1886<sup>234</sup></td><td>33</td><td>114</td><td>88</td><td>202</td></tr><tr><td>1914<sup>235</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>320</td></tr><tr><td>1980<sup>236</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>593</td></tr></tbody></table>

Three medieval bridges, the ruins of a castle, a monastery complex (12th to 13th centuries) as well as a watchtower (17th century) and a secret underground

<footnote n="217">217 A Statistical Survey..., pp. 152-153.</footnote>

<footnote n="218">218 Caucasian Calendar for 1910, p. 423.</footnote>

<footnote n="219">219 Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 211.</footnote>

<footnote n="220">220 SAE, vol. 2, p. 186.</footnote>

<footnote n="221">221 A Statistical Survey..., pp. 152-153.</footnote>

<footnote n="222">222 Caucasian Calendar for 1910, p. 423.</footnote>

<footnote n="223">223 Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 211.</footnote>

<footnote n="224">224 SAE, vol. 4, p. 413.</footnote>

<footnote n="225">225 A Statistical Survey..., pp. 152-153.</footnote>

<footnote n="226">226 Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 182.</footnote>

<footnote n="227">227 A Statistical Survey..., pp. 150-151.</footnote>

<footnote n="228">228 Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 187.</footnote>

<footnote n="229">229 A Statistical Survey..., pp. 146-147 (these figures are, evidently, exaggerated).</footnote>

<footnote n="230">230 Caucasian Calendar for 1910, p. 387.</footnote>

<footnote n="231">231 Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 192.</footnote>

<footnote n="232">232 Caucasian Calendar for 1910, p. 430.</footnote>

<footnote n="233">233 Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 214.</footnote>

<footnote n="234">234 A Statistical Survey..., pp. 144-145.</footnote>

<footnote n="235">235 Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 85.</footnote>

<footnote n="236">236 SAE, vol. 5, p. 187.</footnote>
passage (14th century) are preserved in the village territory.

## YUKHARI-SALAHLI

The village, dating from the late 19th century, is situated within hardly half a kilometre of the right bank of the river Kur, 19 kilometres north-west of the district centre, at an altitude of 230 to 240 metres above sea level.

The available statistical data on the number of the local population represent the following picture:

<table><thead><tr><td>Year</td><td>Houses</td><td>Males</td><td>Females</td><td>Total</td></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1886<sup>237</sup></td><td>345</td><td>1186</td><td>925</td><td>2,111</td></tr><tr><td>1908<sup>238</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>3,030</td></tr><tr><td>1914<sup>239</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>3,529</td></tr><tr><td>1980<sup>240</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>2,419</td></tr></tbody></table>

## YENIGYUN

The village, founded in the Soviet years, lies 8 kilometres north-east of the district centre.

In 1980 it had a population of 1,106.241

## YENIKEND

The village, established in the Soviet years, extends 13 kilometres north-east of the district centre, at an average altitude of 310 metres above sea level.

In 1980 the local inhabitants totaled 1,859.242

## ZELIMKHAN

The village, tracing back to the Soviet years, is situated 13 kilometres north-east of the district centre, at an altitude of 300 to 310 metres above sea level.

<footnote n="237">237 A Statistical Survey..., pp. 150-151.</footnote>

<footnote n="238">238 Caucasian Calendar for 1910, p. 357.</footnote>

<footnote n="239">239 Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 177.</footnote>

<footnote n="240">240 SAE, vol. 5, p. 187.</footnote>

<footnote n="241">241 SAE, vol. 5, p. 118.</footnote>

<footnote n="242">242 Idem, p. 118.</footnote>
KASUM-ISMAYILOV DISTRICT

The administrative district of Kasum-Ismayilov (Gyoran), established in 1930, occupies an area of 1, 231 square kilometres and consists of 67 residential settlements, including 64 villages, 2 townships and a city.

It borders on Khanlar, Yevlakh and Tartar Districts of the Republic of Azerbaijan as well as Martakert and Shahumian Districts of the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh.

<figure><img src="image_427.png" /></figure>
## AGHAMALIOGHLU (SAFIKYURD)

**Location.** The village is situated 5 kilometres north-west of the railway station of Dalmamedli, 25 kilometres north-west of the district centre, at an altitude of 215 to 225 metres above sea level.

It was called Abdullahbeykurdu before 1925.<fnref n="1" />

**Population.** During a population census carried out in 1886, the same members of the stock-breeding nomadic tribe inhabiting Aghamalioghlu were registered in different places, as a result of which their true number was highly exaggerated.

This is substantiated by the results of the statistical surveys carried out in 1886 and 1914, when more than a double reduction was observed in that number:

<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Houses</th><th>Males</th><th>Females</th><th>Total</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1886<sup>2</sup></td><td>277</td><td>817</td><td>706</td><td>1,523</td></tr><tr><td>1908<sup>3</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>1,640</td></tr><tr><td>1914<sup>4</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>750</td></tr><tr><td>1976<sup>5</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>1,757</td></tr></tbody></table>

## AHMEDABAD

The village, dating back to the Soviet years, lies 16 kilometres north-west of the district centre, at an altitude of 165 to 170 metres above sea level.

## ALPOUT

**Location.** The village is situated in a plain 26 kilometres north-west of the district centre, at an altitude of 197 to 202 metres above sea level.

It was founded in the site of a winter encampment in the early 20th century.

**Population.** Alpout had 165 inhabitants in 1908,<fnref n="6" /> and 235 in 1914.<fnref n="7" />

## AZAR-AHMEDLI

**Location.** The village is situated 8 kilometres north-east of the township of Dalmamedli, 19 kilometres north-west of the district centre, between 160 and 170 metres of altitude above sea level.

**Population.** One of the earliest records on the Turkish tribe of Azar-Ahmedlu dates back to 1804.<fnref n="8" />

During a population census carried out in 1886, the same members of the tribe were registered in different places, as a result of which their number was highly exaggerated.

In contrast to that, in 1914, when the tribe had already shifted to a sedentary life by turning its former winter encampment into a village, the population census yielded a much smaller but trustworthy number:

<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Houses</th><th>Males</th><th>Females</th><th>Total</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1886<sup>9</sup></td><td>94</td><td>231</td><td>179</td><td>410</td></tr><tr><td>1908<sup>10</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>1,078</td></tr><tr><td>1914<sup>11</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>199</td></tr><tr><td>1986<sup>12</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>803</td></tr></tbody></table>

## AZAT (ARANI-AZAT)

**Location.** The village lies in a plain extending at an altitude of 255 to 262 metres above sea level, right of the railway of Gandzak-Yevlakh, 13 kilometres east of Gandzak, 25 kilometres north-west of the district centre, and 27 kilometres north-east of Azat (Suluk) Village of Khanlar District.

**A Historical Introduction.** Between 1948 and 1949, the inhabitants of Azat who had large arable lands in Arani-Azat were forced into cultivating cotton; otherwise, the Azerbaijani authorities threatened them with the confiscation of their farming territories. Soon about 20 local families took up permanent residence in Arani-Azat.

In the early 1970s, the Armenians of Arani-Azat started gradually abandoning the village, where they had lived and worked for about a quarter of a century. They scattered in different places, mostly returning to Azat and leaving everything in Arani-Azat to the Turks.

Stripped of the possibility of getting education at national schools, the children of Arani-Azat attended a 7-year Russian school in the neighbouring village of Aran-Mikhailovka.

## AZIZBEKOV (DALMAMEDLI)

**Location.** This Turkish village lies in a plain 16 kilometres north-west of the district centre, at an altitude of 180 to 190 metres above sea level.

It was established in the mid-19th century.

Below follow the available statistical data regarding its population:

<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Houses</th><th>Males</th><th>Females</th><th>Total</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1886<sup>13</sup></td><td>11</td><td>32</td><td>29</td><td>61</td></tr><tr><td>1908<sup>14</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>327</td></tr><tr><td>1914<sup>15</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>264</td></tr><tr><td>1978<sup>16</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>464</td></tr></tbody></table>

<footnote n="1">1 SAE, vol. 1, p. 98.</footnote>

<footnote n="2">2 A Statistical Survey..., pp. 86-87.</footnote>

<footnote n="3">3 Caucasian Calendar for 1910, p. 361.</footnote>

<footnote n="4">4 Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 179.</footnote>

<footnote n="5">5 SAE, vol. 1, p. 98.</footnote>

<footnote n="6">6 Caucasian Calendar for 1910, p. 180.</footnote>

<footnote n="7">7 Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 87.</footnote>

<footnote n="8">8 Collected Acts..., vol. 2, p. 596.</footnote>

<footnote n="9">9 A Statistical Survey..., pp. 76-77.</footnote>

<footnote n="10">10 Caucasian Calendar for 1910, p. 175. Evidently, this number is exaggerated.</footnote>

<footnote n="11">11 Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 84.</footnote>

<footnote n="12">12 SAE, vol. 10, p. 127.</footnote>

<footnote n="13">13 A Statistical Survey..., pp. 146-147.</footnote>

<footnote n="14">14 Caucasian Calendar for 1910, p. 235.</footnote>

<footnote n="15">15 Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 116.</footnote>

<footnote n="16">16 SAE, vol. 4, p. 147.</footnote>
## BAKHCHAKYURD

**Location.** This Turkish village is situated 27 kilometres north-west of the district centre, at an altitude of 215 to 223 metres above sea level.

It was founded in the Soviet years.

## BALLEGHAYA

**Location.** The village extends 9 kilometres south-east of the district centre.

It was founded by some nomadic Turkish tribes which had changed to a sedentary life in the early 20th century.

It had 87 inhabitants in 1908¹⁷ and 146 in 1914.<fnref n="18" />

## BORSUNLU

**Location.** This densely-populated village is situated 12 kilometres north-west of the district centre, between 185 and 220 metres of altitude above sea level.

**Population.** It was founded by some Turkish stock-breeders who had shifted to a sedentary life in the late 19th century.

During a population census carried out in 1886, the same members of the aforementioned nomadic tribe were registered in different places, as a result of which their number was highly exaggerated.

<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Houses</th><th>Males</th><th>Females</th><th>Total</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1886<sup>19</sup></td><td>196</td><td>514</td><td>448</td><td>962</td></tr><tr><td>1914<sup>20</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>474</td></tr><tr><td>1976<sup>21</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>2,260</td></tr></tbody></table>

The village retains a tomb tracing back to the early 20th century.<fnref n="22" />

## CHELABERTI

**Location.** The settlement is situated 6 kilometres south-west of the district centre, at an altitude of 230 to 250 metres above sea level.

Established in the Soviet years by several Armenian families from Getashen, it later turned into a purely Turkish village.

In 1987 Chelaberti had 1,210 inhabitants.<fnref n="23" />

## DALMAMEDLI

**Location.** The village is situated 18 kilometres east of Gandzak, 21 kilometres north-west of the district centre, at an altitude of 220 to 250 metres above sea level.

Presently a railway station, it was granted the status of township in 1958.<fnref n="24" />

The available data on the local **population** represent the following picture: 57 houses with 295 inhabitants (163 males and 132 females) in 1886,<fnref n="25" /> and 143 residents in 1914.<fnref n="26" />

## EYVAZALILAR

**Location.** The settlement, founded in the early 20th century, lies 8 kilometres east of the district centre, at an average altitude of 100 metres above sea level.

It had 110 inhabitants in 1914.<fnref n="27" />

## FAKHRALI

**Location.** The village extends 6 kilometres north of the township of Dalmamedli, 25 kilometres north-west of the district centre, at an altitude of 190 to 198 metres above sea level.

A record of 1804 mentions Fakhrali as the encampment of a stock-breeding Turkish tribe.<fnref n="28" />

The analysis of the available statistical data on the local **population** reveals that a researcher can trust only the figures registered after the aforementioned herdsmen had changed to a sedentary life:

<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Houses</th><th>Males</th><th>Females</th><th>Total</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1886<sup>29</sup></td><td>106</td><td>300</td><td>248</td><td>548</td></tr><tr><td>1914<sup>30</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>218</td></tr><tr><td>1985<sup>31</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>1,787</td></tr></tbody></table>

## GAMANLI

**Location.** Gamanli lies within hardly a kilometre of the left bank of the river Kurak, 12 kilometres north of the district centre, at an altitude of 85 to 90 metres above sea level.

It represents a Turkish village established in the late 19th century.

The available statistical data on the local population represent the following picture:

<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Houses</th><th>Males</th><th>Females</th><th>Total</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1886<sup>32</sup></td><td>33</td><td>123</td><td>73</td><td>196</td></tr><tr><td>1908<sup>33</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>102</td></tr><tr><td>1914<sup>34</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>103</td></tr></tbody></table>

## GHARADAGHLU (KHANKEND)

**Location.** The village is situated on the left bank of the river Kurak, in a slightly slanting and north-east-facing plain lying in the area of its lower course, 21

<footnote n="17">17 Caucasian Calendar for 1910, p. 197.</footnote>

<footnote n="18">18 Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 96.</footnote>

<footnote n="19">19 A Statistical Survey..., pp. 78-79.</footnote>

<footnote n="20">20 Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 101.</footnote>

<footnote n="21">21 SAE, vol. 2, p. 254.</footnote>

<footnote n="22">22 Fatullayev, Sh. S., idem, p. 433.</footnote>

<footnote n="23">23 SAE, vol. 10, p. 302.</footnote>

<footnote n="24">24 SAE, vol. 3, p. 398.</footnote>

<footnote n="25">25 A Statistical Survey..., pp. 78-79.</footnote>

<footnote n="26">26 Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 115.</footnote>

<footnote n="27">27 Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 212.</footnote>

<footnote n="28">28 Collected Acts..., vol. 2, p. 596.</footnote>

<footnote n="29">29 A Statistical Survey..., pp. 86-87.</footnote>

<footnote n="30">30 Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 193.</footnote>

<footnote n="31">31 SAE, vol. 9, Baku, 1986, p. 540.</footnote>

<footnote n="32">32 A Statistical Survey..., pp. 82-83. For reasons already specified, this number cannot be considered reliable.</footnote>

<footnote n="33">33 Caucasian Calendar for 1910, p. 218.</footnote>

<footnote n="34">34 Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 107.</footnote>
kilometres north-west of the district centre, between 330 and 360 metres of altitude above sea level.

**The Origin of the Toponym.** Until the 1880s, it was mentioned by the name of Gharadaghlu, but the sources of the subsequent periods refer to it as Khankend. The former derives from Gharadagh, i.e. the birthplace of part of the local inhabitants: "Some of them resettled here from Gharadagh, Persia; hence the name of the present-day village."<fnref n="35" />

**Population.** Below follows a list (1839) of the inhabitants of Gharadaghlu which is of great value from the standpoint of the history of local families:

“1 Harutiun Melikjanov, his wife Anayi as well as his sons Hayrapet and Ghazar;

2 Hakob Sargisov, his wife Nabat as well as their sons Yeghiazar and Hovsep;

3 Arustam Gabrielov, his wife Mariam, their daughter Yeghisabet as well as their sons Gevorg and Harutiun;

4 Verdi Kavoanov, his wife Yetar, his daughter Yeghisabet as well as his sons Petros and Gevorg;

5 Hovhannes Abrahamov, his wife Horomsim as well as his sons Vardan and Harutiun; Hovhannes' brother Mkrtich, his wife Sanam and their son Abraham;

6 Poghos Tumayov, his wife Zanazan, his daughter Dastakul as well as his sons Hayrapet, Galust, Tsakan, Sargis and Harutiun;

7 Ghazar Ohanesov, his mother Horom and his wife Sona;

8 Verdi Tatarov and his wife Shoghi;

9 Mkrtum Khachaturov, his wife Sarah and their son Hovhannes;

10 Arakel Harutiunov, his mother Yetar and his sister Herik;

11 Arzuman Hovsepov and his mother Rehan;

12 Stepan Ghukassov, his wife Mariam as well as their sons Hovakim, Harutiun, Galust, Margar and Hambardzum;

13 Movses Bodalov, his wife Vari as well as their children Shoghi and Hayrapet;

14 Pala Tekanov, his wife Mariam and his son Hovhannes;

15 Gevorg Allahverdov, his wife Horomsim, their sons Aghajan, Astvatzatur and Harutiun as well as their daughters Yeghisabet and Gyuli;

16 Khachatur Tevanov, his wife Ahar and his mother Rehan;

17 Vardazar Martirosov and his wife Hori;

18 Simon Sargisov, his wife Yeghisabet as well as his sons Harutiun and Khachatur;

19 Adam Tanghriverdian, his wife Mariam and their son Astvatzatur; Adam's sister Tamam, his brother Habul and his wife Vardi;

20 Hayrapet Harutiunian, his wife Zanazan as well as their sons Allahverdi, Sargis and Grigor;

21 Harutiun Ohanessov, his wife Horom as well as their daughters Sayi and Anayi;

22 Hovhannes Tuniov, his daughter-in-law, widow Anayi as well as his daughters Sabed and Zanazan;

23 Harutiun Ghukassov, his mother Horom and his wife Sabed;

24 Grigor Niazov, his wife Shahkhanum as well as their sons Poghos and Sargis; Grigor's brother Sahak, his wife

Sanam, their daughter Pari as well as their sons Harutiun, Hovhannes and Hovsep;

25 Ohanjan Khachaturov, his wife Javi as well as their daughters Mariam, Herik and Sandukht;

26 Galust Melkumov, his wife Mariam, their sons Kochari and Nerses as well as their daughters Vardi and Heriknaz;

27 Harutiun Danelov, his wife Sona, their son Sargis as well as their daughters Mariam, Sarah and Heghnan;

28 Grigor Harutiunov and his mother Rehan;

29 Ohannes Martirosov, his wife Katan, their daughter Javahir as well as their sons Hovsep, Movses and Harutiun;

30 Mkrtum and Grigor Ghazarian with their mother Tellu;

31 Martiros Harutiunov, his mother Horom, his wife Shoghi and their son Astvatzatur;

32 Pilippos Yepremian, his wife Nazlu and their daughter Sazlu."<fnref n="36" />

The available statistical data on the number of Gharadaghlu's population between the 19th century and 1917 represent the following picture:

<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Houses</th><th>Males</th><th>Females</th><th>Total</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1839<sup>37</sup></td><td>32</td><td>81</td><td>62</td><td>143</td></tr><tr><td>1845<sup>38</sup></td><td></td><td>109</td><td>91</td><td>200</td></tr><tr><td>1847<sup>39</sup></td><td></td><td>102</td><td>74</td><td>186</td></tr><tr><td>1849<sup>40</sup></td><td></td><td>70</td><td>63</td><td>133</td></tr><tr><td>1852<sup>41</sup></td><td></td><td>80</td><td>64</td><td>144</td></tr><tr><td>1861<sup>42</sup></td><td>20</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1866<sup>43</sup></td><td>29</td><td>118</td><td>103</td><td>221</td></tr><tr><td>1872<sup>44</sup></td><td></td><td>170</td><td>146</td><td>316</td></tr><tr><td>1873<sup>45</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>263</td></tr><tr><td>1875<sup>46</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>277</td></tr><tr><td>1876<sup>47</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>234</td></tr><tr><td>1877<sup>48</sup></td><td></td><td>157</td><td>140</td><td>297</td></tr><tr><td>1878<sup>49</sup></td><td></td><td>161</td><td>136</td><td>297</td></tr><tr><td>1881<sup>50</sup></td><td></td><td>172</td><td>147</td><td>319</td></tr><tr><td>1882<sup>51</sup></td><td></td><td>177</td><td>151</td><td>328</td></tr><tr><td>1883<sup>52</sup></td><td></td><td>181</td><td>152</td><td>333</td></tr><tr><td>1885<sup>53</sup></td><td></td><td>152</td><td>134</td><td>286</td></tr><tr><td>1886<sup>54</sup></td><td>86</td><td>189</td><td>174</td><td>363</td></tr><tr><td>1887<sup>55</sup></td><td></td><td>167</td><td>144</td><td>311</td></tr></tbody></table>

<footnote n="36">36 National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3800, p. 26.</footnote>

<footnote n="37">37 Ibid.</footnote>

<footnote n="38">38 Idem, file 3811, pp. 5-6.</footnote>

<footnote n="39">39 Idem, file 3814, pp. 97-98.</footnote>

<footnote n="40">40 Idem, file 3818, pp. 95-96.</footnote>

<footnote n="41">41 Idem, file 3819, pp. 105-106.</footnote>

<footnote n="42">42 Idem, file 3835, pp. 147-148.</footnote>

<footnote n="43">43 Idem, file 3848, p. 57.</footnote>

<footnote n="44">44 Idem, file 3872, pp. 62-63.</footnote>

<footnote n="45">45 Idem, file 3864, pp. 39-40.</footnote>

<footnote n="46">46 Idem, file 3866, pp. 44-45.</footnote>

<footnote n="47">47 Idem, file 3868, pp. 57-58.</footnote>

<footnote n="48">48 Idem, file 3869, pp. 54-55.</footnote>

<footnote n="49">49 Idem, file 3870, pp. 22-23.</footnote>

<footnote n="50">50 Idem, file 3873, pp. 27-28.</footnote>

<footnote n="51">51 Idem, file 3874, p. 30.</footnote>

<footnote n="52">52 Idem, file 3875, pp. 56-57.</footnote>

<footnote n="53">53 Idem, file 3877, p. 29.</footnote>

<footnote n="54">54 A Statistical Survey..., pp. 86-87. According to another source, the village had 40 houses in the same year ("Ardzagank," 1886, No. 19, p. 279).</footnote>

<footnote n="55">55 National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3880, p. 72.</footnote>

<footnote n="35">35 "Ardzagank," 1886, No. 19, pp. 279-280; Lalayan, Yer. Gandzak District, p. 307.</footnote>
<table><tr><td>1888<sup>56</sup></td><td>174</td><td>148</td><td>322</td></tr><tr><td>1889<sup>57</sup></td><td>175</td><td>152</td><td>327</td></tr><tr><td>1890<sup>58</sup></td><td>183</td><td>158</td><td>341</td></tr><tr><td>1891<sup>59</sup></td><td>174</td><td>166</td><td>340</td></tr><tr><td>1892<sup>60</sup></td><td>178</td><td>164</td><td>342</td></tr><tr><td>1893<sup>61</sup></td><td>176</td><td>165</td><td>341</td></tr><tr><td>1894<sup>62</sup></td><td>193</td><td>172</td><td>365</td></tr><tr><td>1897<sup>63</sup></td><td>189</td><td>182</td><td>371</td></tr><tr><td>1898<sup>64</sup></td><td>197</td><td>183</td><td>380</td></tr><tr><td>1899<sup>65</sup></td><td>208</td><td>189</td><td>397</td></tr><tr><td>1900<sup>66</sup></td><td>207</td><td>189</td><td>396</td></tr><tr><td>1901<sup>67</sup></td><td>209</td><td>185</td><td>394</td></tr><tr><td>1902<sup>68</sup></td><td>217</td><td>191</td><td>408</td></tr><tr><td>1905<sup>69</sup></td><td>220</td><td>205</td><td>425</td></tr><tr><td>1906<sup>70</sup></td><td>258</td><td>225</td><td>483</td></tr><tr><td>1907<sup>71</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td>470</td></tr><tr><td>1908<sup>72</sup></td><td>69</td><td>244</td><td>229</td><td>473</td></tr><tr><td>1909<sup>73</sup></td><td></td><td>246</td><td>239</td><td>485</td></tr><tr><td>1910<sup>74</sup></td><td></td><td>246</td><td>238</td><td>484</td></tr><tr><td>1912<sup>75</sup></td><td></td><td>245</td><td>238</td><td>483</td></tr><tr><td>1913<sup>76</sup></td><td>70</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1914<sup>77</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>180</td></tr><tr><td>1917<sup>78</sup></td><td>80</td><td></td><td></td><td>495</td></tr></table>

As is apparent from this table, the village population constantly grew during the aforementioned period.

In 1977 Gharadaghlu had 1,231 inhabitants, most of whom were Turks.<fnref n="79" />

The village was stripped of its Armenian residents in the aftermath of the forced deportation of 1988.

**The Armeno-Turkish Fights between 1905 and 1906.** In the autumn of 1905, the Turkish mob mounted an attack against Gharadaghlu, that was surrounded

by Turkish villages, totally isolated from the region's Armenian-inhabited villages. On 17 November, two Armenians were killed in a nearby mill. Three days later, the local people somehow broke through the enemy encirclement and found refuge in Getashen Village of Khanlar District, their derelict houses being immediately plundered and burnt down by the Turks.<fnref n="80" /> After a three-month stay in the aforementioned village, Gharadaghlu Armenians moved to Gandzak.<fnref n="81" />

Suppressing their fears, between 1906 and 1907, the former residents of Gharadaghlu went to their ruined village to farm the land, the local church, the only roofed building throughout the village, serving them as a night shelter.<fnref n="82" />

After peace had been restored in the region, the inhabitants of Gharadaghlu returned to their birthplace and started reviving it. That was evident in 1913, when “...the villagers were likely to overcome their financial predicament and improve their conditions within a short time...”<fnref n="83" />

Numerous archive documents (1847, 1849, 1852)<fnref n="84" /> mention the local church of St. Gevorg as an earthen building of wooden roof, but the exact date of its foundation is unknown. Beginning with 1861, it is spoken about as a stone structure bearing the same name.<fnref n="85" />

Fortunately, the construction inscription of the sanctuary was copied and published in due time. It reveals that the stone church replaced the older one in 1855:

1855 ամի 20 մարտի ի սեր սիրելի հայրենից, որդեց սիօնի փորունց և մեծաց. այս տաճար փորրիկ ի հիմանց անտի, բարեակաշտ կամօր աստ կառուցանի, սեպիական արդեամքր մեծի իշխանի աղա Ո-ուստամի որդյ Դանիէլի, յանուն սիրոյն Գէորգայ մեծի, շքեղ հանդիսիս աստէն օծանի:

transl.: On 20 March 1855, in memory of my dear compatriots... I laid the foundations of this small church by the Lord's good will, with the means of Daniel, the son of great Prince, Agha Rustam [and] had it dedicated to St. Gevorg at a solemn ceremony.

The Armenian original published in: “Ardzagank,” 1886, No. 19, p. 280.

Note: M. Barkhutarians refers to the same source in his republication of the inscription (idem, p. 53).

The church, inside which its builder's remains were interred,<fnref n="86" /> served as a repository for St. Gevorg's and

<footnote n="56">56 Idem, file 3882, p. 130.</footnote>

<footnote n="57">57 Idem, file 3884, pp. 226-227.</footnote>

<footnote n="58">58 Idem, file 3887, p. 149.</footnote>

<footnote n="59">59 Idem, file 3889, p. 148.</footnote>

<footnote n="60">60 Idem, file 3891, p. 120.</footnote>

<footnote n="61">61 Idem, file 3895, pp. 77-78.</footnote>

<footnote n="62">62 Idem, file 3896, pp. 71-72.</footnote>

<footnote n="63">63 Idem, file 3899, pp. 146-147.</footnote>

<footnote n="64">64 Idem, file 3897, p. 168.</footnote>

<footnote n="65">65 Idem, file 3903, pp. 125-126.</footnote>

<footnote n="66">66 Idem, file 3905, pp. 90-91.</footnote>

<footnote n="67">67 Idem, file 3906, pp. 96-97.</footnote>

<footnote n="68">68 Idem, file 3907, pp. 22-23.</footnote>

<footnote n="69">69 Idem, file 3912, pp. 265-266.</footnote>

<footnote n="70">70 Idem, file 3915, p. 24.</footnote>

<footnote n="71">71 National Archives of Armenia, fund 56, list 1, file 240, p. 2.</footnote>

<footnote n="72">72 National Archives of Armenia, fund 35, list 1, file 559, p. 11. According to another source of 1908, Gharadaghlu had 149 residents that year (Caucasian Calendar for 1910, p. 273).</footnote>

<footnote n="73">73 National Archives of Armenia, fund 56, list 18, file 764, p. 116.</footnote>

<footnote n="74">74 National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3917, pp. 56-57.</footnote>

<footnote n="75">75 Idem, file 3919, pp. 61-62.</footnote>

<footnote n="76">76 “Horizon,” 1913, No. 177, p. 4.</footnote>

<footnote n="77">77 Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 195. This number seems far from trustworthy.</footnote>

<footnote n="78">78 Avetissian, M. M., idem, p. 166.</footnote>

<footnote n="79">79 SAE, vol. 3, p. 57.</footnote>

<footnote n="80">80 A-Do, idem, p. 332.</footnote>

<footnote n="81">81 “Mshak,” 1906, No. 64, 24 March, p. 2.</footnote>

<footnote n="82">82 A-Do, ibid.</footnote>

<footnote n="83">83 “Horizon,” 1913, No. 177, p. 4.</footnote>

<footnote n="84">84 National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3814, pp. 97-98; file 3818, pp. 95-96; file 3819, p. 105.</footnote>

<footnote n="85">85 Idem, file 3835, pp. 147-148; file 33874, p. 30.</footnote>

<footnote n="86">86 “Ardzagank,” ibid.</footnote>