steps south of these findings) comprising several big and small burial urns (no metalware was found there). Three hundred steps south of the latter were unearthed several heathen cists of stone containing bronze items (similar structures are typical of many localities in Caucasia). All the aforementioned comes to suggest that this small territory has been inhabited since time immemorial when man had no idea about metals. ...All the findings have been handed to the Caucasian Museum and Smbat Ter-Avetissian has been assigned to start larger-scale excavations in August.”<fnref n="370" />

## ENGELSKEND (IRMASHLI)

**Location.** This Turkish village is situated 11 kilometres west of the district centre, at an altitude of 490 to 530 metres above sea level.

**A Historical Introduction.** It was established in the late 19th century by some stock-breeders who had shifted to a sedentary life. Originally, it represented a cluster of several small villages located within some distance of each other, but known by the same name. Between 1894 and 1895, they belonged to nineteen Turkish landowners and Tiflis citizen Grigor Sargissian Atabekians.<fnref n="371" />

**Population.** The available statistical data regarding 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>1886³⁷²</td><td>117</td><td>376</td><td>261</td><td>637</td></tr><tr><td>1914³⁷³</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>679</td></tr><tr><td>1978³⁷⁴</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>2,401</td></tr></tbody></table>

## FIZULI

The village, dating from the Soviet years, extends on the right bank of the river Shamkor, 10 kilometres east of the district centre, at an altitude of 330 to 340 metres above sea level.

## GARNAKER (BARUM, BARUMSHEN)

**Location.** Garnaker is situated on the south-facing slope of a gorge lying on the left bank of the river Shamkor, 23 kilometres south of the district centre.

In the mid-19th century, it was described as “a village founded on the bank of the river Shamkor. It enjoys a favourable position, abounds in gardens and does not know any shortage of water...”<fnref n="375" />

**A Historical Introduction.** The earliest records of Garnaker mention it in the mid-15th century in connection with Sourb Astvatzatzin Church of Tzaghkots Monastery built on an elevation on the left bank of the river Shamkor, about 0.7 kilometre south of the village.

In 1691 reference is made to “head of Garnaker Village Sedkh” with regard to the struggle of superiority between Aghvank Catholicoses Simeon and Yeremia: together with many other spiritual and secular dignitaries of the region, he recognized the authority of the former by putting his signature to a “Document of Unity.”<fnref n="376" />

**Means of Communication.** The roads leading to Garnaker did not boast good conditions, a record tracing back to the first quarter of the 19th century attesting this: “...the bumpy roads of this village are extremely difficult of passage, the nearby deep, harrowing abysses frightening passers-by to death. The local residents, however, should thank their lucky stars for the impregnable position of their village, since it saves them the trouble of incursions by various barbarians.”<fnref n="377" />

In 1884 the road connecting Garnaker with the adjacent villages was renovated.<fnref n="378" />

**Population.** An archive document of 1839 has preserved a list of 15 families dwelling in Garnaker which is of special value for the study of their history:

“1 Petros Khojian, his wife Mariam and their son Mkrtich;

2 Hovhannes Sahakian, his wife Shoghakat, their sons Poghos and Hovakim as well as their daughters Hori, Shahgul and Taguhi; Hovhannes’ brother, widower Stepan, his son Karapet as well as his daughters Voski and Herik;

3 Hayrapet Ter-Yeghiazarian, his mother Rehan, his wife Mariam, his sons Sahak and Hovhannes as well as his daughters Hori, Khanum, Herik and Margaret; Hayrapet’s brothers 1. Babi with his spouse Gozal, and 2. Grigor with his wife Ghumash;

4 Sargis Matevosov, his brother Harutiun with his spouse Annayi, their daughter Nazi as well as their sons Mkrtich and Poghos;

5 Gevorg Ohanesov, his wife Sarah, their daughter Margaret, their daughter-in-law Khatayi as well as their sons Makar and Simeon;

6 Aghajan Khachaturian, his wife Anna, their sons Avag and Khachatur as well as their daughters Aziz and Anakhas; Aghajan’s brother Ghazar, his wife Margaret as well as their children Stepan and Mariam;

7 Anton Khachaturian, his wife Mariam as well as their sons Tuni and Hovsep;

8 Mkrtum Sargissian, his mother Khanum, his wife Mariam, their sons Harutiun and Karapet as well as their daughters Hori and Yeghisabet;

9 Hovhannes Arzumanian with his mother Mariam;

<footnote n="370">³⁷⁰ Gitak. The Antiquities of Zageam. In: “Mshak,” 1914, No. 123, p. 4, in Armenian. Also see *A Report on the Caucasian Museum for 1914*. Tiflis, 1917, pp. 21, 23, in Russian.</footnote>

<footnote n="371">³⁷¹ National Archives of Armenia, fund 93, list 1, file 388, pp. 6-7, 9.</footnote>

<footnote n="372">³⁷² A Statistical Survey..., pp. 80-81.</footnote>

<footnote n="373">³⁷³ Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 129.</footnote>

<footnote n="374">³⁷⁴ SAE, vol. 4, p. 67.</footnote>

<footnote n="375">³⁷⁵ Jalaliants, S., idem, part 1, p. 162.</footnote>

<footnote n="376">³⁷⁶ “Ararat,” 1900, p. 320.</footnote>

<footnote n="377">³⁷⁷ Jalaliants, S., ibid.</footnote>

<footnote n="378">³⁷⁸ “Nor-Dar,” 1884, No. 121, p. 2.</footnote>
10 Hovhannes Minassian, his mother Mariam, his daughter Vardi as well as his sons Avag and Hakob;

11 Harutiun Avagian, his wife Nazlukhan as well as their sons Sahak and Mkrtich; Harutiun's brother Zakaria, his spouse Gozal and their daughter Khatayi;

12 Papi Hovsepian, his mother Margaret, his wife Aziz and his brother Mkrtich with his spouse Nubar;

13 Grigor Maghakian with his wife Hori;

14 Vardan Harutiunian, his wife Zani, their daughter Mariam as well as their sons Ghazar and Grigor;

15 Hovhannes Voskanian, his wife Vardi, their sons Harutiun, and Khachatur with his spouse Anna."379

The available statistical data concerning the number of Garnaker's 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>1804<sup>380</sup></td><td>9</td><td>19</td><td>17</td><td>36</td></tr><tr><td>1839<sup>381</sup></td><td>15</td><td>47</td><td>47</td><td>94</td></tr><tr><td>1845<sup>382</sup></td><td></td><td>129</td><td>115</td><td>244</td></tr><tr><td>1847<sup>383</sup></td><td></td><td>124</td><td>127</td><td>251</td></tr><tr><td>1849<sup>384</sup></td><td></td><td>186</td><td>160</td><td>346</td></tr><tr><td>1852<sup>385</sup></td><td></td><td>157</td><td>150</td><td>307</td></tr><tr><td>1861<sup>386</sup></td><td>25</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1866<sup>387</sup></td><td>43</td><td>253</td><td>141</td><td>394</td></tr><tr><td>1872<sup>388</sup></td><td></td><td>338</td><td>295</td><td>633</td></tr><tr><td>1874<sup>389</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>502</td></tr><tr><td>1875<sup>390</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>511</td></tr><tr><td>1876<sup>391</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>513</td></tr><tr><td>1877<sup>392</sup></td><td></td><td>321</td><td>279</td><td>600</td></tr><tr><td>1878<sup>393</sup></td><td></td><td>312</td><td>283</td><td>595</td></tr><tr><td>1880<sup>394</sup></td><td></td><td>338</td><td>295</td><td>633</td></tr><tr><td>1881<sup>395</sup></td><td></td><td>341</td><td>292</td><td>633</td></tr><tr><td>1882<sup>396</sup></td><td></td><td>358</td><td>299</td><td>657</td></tr><tr><td>1883<sup>397</sup></td><td></td><td>371</td><td>312</td><td>683</td></tr><tr><td>1885<sup>398</sup></td><td>90</td><td>546</td><td>464</td><td>1,010</td></tr><tr><td>1886<sup>399</sup></td><td>84</td><td>380</td><td>360</td><td>740</td></tr></tbody></table>

<table><tbody><tr><td>1887<sup>400</sup></td><td>573</td><td>498</td><td>1,071</td></tr><tr><td>1888<sup>401</sup></td><td>573</td><td>496</td><td>1,069</td></tr><tr><td>1889<sup>402</sup></td><td>576</td><td>508</td><td>1,084</td></tr><tr><td>1890<sup>403</sup></td><td>588</td><td>508</td><td>1,096</td></tr><tr><td>1891<sup>404</sup></td><td>618</td><td>533</td><td>1,151</td></tr><tr><td>1892<sup>405</sup></td><td>628</td><td>545</td><td>1,173</td></tr><tr><td>1893<sup>406</sup></td><td>649</td><td>554</td><td>1,203</td></tr><tr><td>1894<sup>407</sup></td><td>669</td><td>571</td><td>1,240</td></tr><tr><td>1897<sup>408</sup></td><td>715</td><td>598</td><td>1,313</td></tr><tr><td>1898<sup>409</sup></td><td>730</td><td>607</td><td>1,337</td></tr><tr><td>1899<sup>410</sup></td><td>735</td><td>609</td><td>1,344</td></tr><tr><td>1900<sup>411</sup></td><td>752</td><td>627</td><td>1,379</td></tr><tr><td>1901<sup>412</sup></td><td>752</td><td>631</td><td>1,383</td></tr><tr><td>1902<sup>413</sup></td><td>760</td><td>634</td><td>1,394</td></tr><tr><td>1905<sup>414</sup></td><td>766</td><td>638</td><td>1,404</td></tr><tr><td>1906<sup>415</sup></td><td>706</td><td>597</td><td>1,303</td></tr><tr><td>1907<sup>416</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td>800</td></tr><tr><td>1908<sup>417</sup></td><td>135</td><td>562</td><td>1,075</td></tr><tr><td>1909<sup>418</sup></td><td></td><td>752</td><td>631</td><td>1,383</td></tr><tr><td>1910<sup>419</sup></td><td></td><td>439</td><td>361</td><td>800</td></tr><tr><td>1912<sup>420</sup></td><td></td><td>767</td><td>651</td><td>1,418</td></tr><tr><td>1914<sup>421</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td>1,500</td></tr><tr><td>1917<sup>422</sup></td><td>102</td><td></td><td>1,500</td></tr><tr><td>1985<sup>423</sup></td><td>9</td><td></td><td>14</td></tr></tbody></table>

As is apparent from the statistical evidence presented above, the local population continually increased during the period between the 19th century and the establishment of the Soviet regime.

The Armenians of Garnaker were mainly occupied with gardening and farming.

Some data we have dug out of different sources enable us to compile a chronology of the activity of Garnaker's parish school:

<footnote n="379">379 National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3800, p. 28.</footnote>

<footnote n="380">380 Collected Acts..., vol. 2, p. 596.</footnote>

<footnote n="381">381 National Archives of Armenia, ibid.</footnote>

<footnote n="382">382 Idem, file 3811, pp. 5-6.</footnote>

<footnote n="383">383 Idem, file 3814, pp. 97-98.</footnote>

<footnote n="384">384 Idem, file 3818, pp. 97-98.</footnote>

<footnote n="385">385 Idem, file 3819, pp. 106-107.</footnote>

<footnote n="386">386 Idem, file 3835, pp. 148-149. Also see National Archives of Armenia, fund 56, list 1, file 4254, p. 11.</footnote>

<footnote n="387">387 National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3848, p. 57.</footnote>

<footnote n="388">388 Idem, file 3872, pp. 62-63. Another statistical source reports 476 inhabitants (idem, file 3859, pp. 161-162).</footnote>

<footnote n="389">389 Idem, file 3864, pp. 41-42.</footnote>

<footnote n="390">390 Idem, file 3866, pp. 45-46.</footnote>

<footnote n="391">391 Idem, file 3868, pp. 57-58.</footnote>

<footnote n="392">392 Idem, file 3869, pp. 54-55.</footnote>

<footnote n="393">393 Idem, file 3870, pp. 23-24.</footnote>

<footnote n="394">394 Idem, file 3872, pp. 30-31.</footnote>

<footnote n="395">395 Idem, file 3873, pp. 27-28.</footnote>

<footnote n="396">396 Idem, file 3874, p. 30.</footnote>

<footnote n="397">397 Idem, file 3875, pp. 56-57.</footnote>

<footnote n="398">398 Idem, file 3877, p. 30. Also see "Ardzagank," 1885, No. 4, p. 51.</footnote>

<footnote n="399">399 A Statistical Survey..., pp. 76-77. Another source reports 56 houses ("Ardzagank," 1886, No. 21, p. 308).</footnote>

<footnote n="400">400 National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3880, p. 74.</footnote>

<footnote n="401">401 Idem, file 3882, p. 131.</footnote>

<footnote n="402">402 Idem, file 3884, pp. 228-229.</footnote>

<footnote n="403">403 Idem, file 3887, p. 150.</footnote>

<footnote n="404">404 Idem, file 3889, p. 149.</footnote>

<footnote n="405">405 Idem, file 3891, p. 121.</footnote>

<footnote n="406">406 Idem, file 3895, pp. 78-79.</footnote>

<footnote n="407">407 Idem, file 3896, pp.174-175.</footnote>

<footnote n="408">408 Idem, file 3899, pp. 147-148.</footnote>

<footnote n="409">409 Idem, file 3897, p. 169.</footnote>

<footnote n="410">410 Idem, file 3903, pp. 128-129.</footnote>

<footnote n="411">411 Idem, file 3905, pp. 93-94.</footnote>

<footnote n="412">412 Idem, file 3906, pp. 99-100.</footnote>

<footnote n="413">413 Idem, file 3907, pp. 23-24.</footnote>

<footnote n="414">414 Idem, file 3912, pp. 266-267.</footnote>

<footnote n="415">415 Idem, file 3915, p. 75.</footnote>

<footnote n="416">416 National Archives of Armenia, fund 56, list 1, file 240, p. 2.</footnote>

<footnote n="417">417 National Archives of Armenia, fund 35, list 1, file 559, p. 12. Also see Caucasian Calendar for 1910, p. 199.</footnote>

<footnote n="418">418 National Archives of Armenia, fund 56, list 18, file 764, p. 117.</footnote>

<footnote n="419">419 National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3917, pp. 59-60.</footnote>

<footnote n="420">420 Idem, file 3919, pp. 62-63.</footnote>

<footnote n="421">421 Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 96.</footnote>

<footnote n="422">422 Avetissian, M. M., idem, p. 166.</footnote>

<footnote n="423">423 Karapetian, S. Abandoned Armenian Settlements in Azerbaijan (1988 to 1991). In: "Hayreniki Dzayn," 9 February 1993, p. 4.</footnote>
<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>More Information</th><th>Teachers</th><th>Pupils</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1905<sup>424</sup></td><td>Opened on 5 October as a one-year school.</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1906<sup>425</sup></td><td>Karapet Ter-Hovsepian Balayants' candidacy for teacher was put forward.</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1907/08<sup>426</sup></td><td>Unisex</td><td>50 (3 females)</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1908/09<sup>427</sup></td><td>1</td><td>62 (11 females)</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1911/12<sup>428</sup></td><td>Comprised a single class. Functioned as a one-year school.</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1913/14<sup>429</sup></td><td>Closed</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1914/15<sup>430</sup></td><td>Reopened</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1915-16<sup>431</sup></td><td>Functioned at an allowance of a 100 rubles received from the School Budget of the Diocese.</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1919<sup>432</sup></td><td>Closed</td><td></td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

The village church, mentioned in some archive documents of 1849,433 1852,434 1858,435 1861,436 1862,437 1878438 and 1885439 (by the names of St. Hakob in 1861 and Sourb Astvatzatzin in 1858, 1885 and afterwards) traces back to 1838. This year is engraved on a cornerstone placed right of its entrance.440

The church, whose entrance opens in the south, is entirely built of undressed stone and mortar, except for its cornerstones and the most important sections which are finely-cut. Its walls bear some cross-stones and sculptured fragments. The architectural peculiarities of the church, which functioned until 1928,441 trace it back to the 19th century.

Priests. *Simon Ter-Yeghiazariants*, born in 1791 (he had 5 sons: Harutiun, born in 1817; Hovsep born in 1825; Martiros born in 1828; Poghos born in 1836, and Petros born in 1839),442 served Garnaker between 1832 and 1861:443 “...having learnt reading and conduct of divine service in Tzaghkots Monastery...”,444 he was ordained by Archbishop Baghdasar on 27 March 1832. In 1861 “...Priest Simeon Ter-Yeghiazariants, who had reached rather an advanced age, still lived in Garnaker, being, indeed, in bad need of a helper...”445

Simon Ter-Yeghiazariants also performed priestly duties in Jagir.

In 1908 *Karapet Ter-Hovsepian Balayants* served the local community.446

**Tzaghkots Cloister. Location.** The most famous monument in Garnaker (also called Garnaker Monastery), it is situated on the left bank of the river Shamkor, 0.7 kilometre south of the village.

**A Historical Introduction.** The earliest record of this cloister dates back to 1467, when a certain Azaria illustrated a manuscript Gospel there and wrote the following in its colophon, “Enriched with illustrations in Sourb Astvatzatzin of Tzaghkots [situated] in Garnaker, Gandzak District, in the days of Catholicos Hovhannes and Archbishop Tzeruny...”447 The colophon of another manuscript (1634) entitled *Meknutiun Saghmosats ('Interpretation of Some Psalms')* and copied in Tseghna Village of Goghtan District (Vaspu-rakan Province, Metz Hayk) mentions the monument by the name of Garnaker Monastery: “...Garnik Garnetsy from Garnaker Monastery...”448

When Sultan Murad invaded Armenia with an army of 700,000 in 1635 and conquered the castle of Yerevan, Bishop Hovhannes of Hovhannavank (in present-day Aragatzotn Marz of the Republic of Armenia) and his pupils found refuge in Garnaker: “...After Muslims’ leader Murad had captured the castle of Yerevan, all the local residents scattered here and there. The same fate befell Bishop Hovhannes of Hovhannavank, who moved to Aghvank together with his pupils and found haven in Garnaker Monastery.”449

<footnote n="424">424 National Archives of Armenia, fund 35, list 1, file 146, p. 1. According to another source, the school opened on 15 September 1906 (idem, file 207, p. 19).</footnote>

<footnote n="425">425 Idem, file 226, p. 1.</footnote>

<footnote n="426">426 Idem, file 262, p. 1. Also see file 427, p. 2; *Khudoyan, S.*, idem, p. 474.</footnote>

<footnote n="427">427 National Archives of Armenia, fund 35, list 1, file 495, p. 1. Also see fund 57, list 2, file 1849, p. 17; *Khudoyan, S.*, ibid.</footnote>

<footnote n="428">428 *Khudoyan, S.*, ibid.</footnote>

<footnote n="429">429 National Archives of Armenia, fund 56, list 6, file 1062, p. 1.</footnote>

<footnote n="430">430 Ibid. Also see National Archives of Armenia, fund 56, list 18, file 1062, pp. 1, 4, 6. Vicar of Gandzak Diocese Levon the Archimandrite interceded before the Synod of Echmiatzin for permission to cut down some trees in a wood belonging to Charek Monastery free of charge. His request, however, was rejected due to the opposition of L. Ter-Avetikian, Manager General of the estates of the Holy See.</footnote>

<footnote n="431">431 “Ararat,” 1916, p. 13. Also see *Khudoyan, S.*, ibid.</footnote>

<footnote n="432">432 National Archives of Armenia, fund 56, list 4, file 927, p. 33. Also see file 811, p. 1. The local inhabitants wanted to allocate the income of Tzaghkots Monastery to the school.</footnote>

<footnote n="433">433 *Barkhutariants, M.*, idem, p. 315.</footnote>

<footnote n="434">434 National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3818, pp. 97-98.</footnote>

<footnote n="435">435 Idem, file 3819, p. 106.</footnote>

<footnote n="436">436 Idem, file 3831, pp. 25-26.</footnote>

<footnote n="437">437 Idem, file 3835, pp. 148-149.</footnote>

<footnote n="438">438 Idem, file 3836, p. 58.</footnote>

<footnote n="439">439 Idem, file 3870, pp. 23-24.</footnote>

<footnote n="440">440 Idem, file 3877, p. 29.</footnote>

<footnote n="441">441 National Archives of Armenia, fund 409, list 1, file 2658, p. 12.</footnote>

<footnote n="442">442 National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3831, pp. 25-26. Also see file 3835, pp. 148-149.</footnote>

<footnote n="443">443 Idem, file 3831, pp. 25-26. Also see file 3833, pp. 134-135; fund 56, list 1, file 4254, p. 11.</footnote>

<footnote n="444">444 National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3831, pp. 25-26. Also see file 3833, pp. 134-135.</footnote>

<footnote n="445">445 National Archives of Armenia, fund 56, list 1, file 4254, p. 11.</footnote>

<footnote n="446">446 National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 817, p. 7.</footnote>

<footnote n="447">447 Colophons, 15th century, vol. 2, p. 244. The colophon of another manuscript created in Tzaghkots Monastery in 1468 and illustrated by the same person repeats this passage (Colophons, 15th century, vol. 2, p. 272).</footnote>

<footnote n="448">448 Colophons, 17th century, vol. 2, p. 548.</footnote>

<footnote n="449">449 Historiography by *Zacharia Sarkavag*, vol. 2, Vagharshapat, 1870, p. 47, in Armenian.</footnote>
<figure><img src="image_715.png" /><figcaption>GARNAKER (BARUMSHEN). The village seen from the south-west</figcaption></figure>

A press publication of 1886 describes the monument as follows, “...it represents a vaulted stone church of small dimensions with a small gavit retaining two unknown graves held in profound reverence by the local people. According to them, originally this sanctuary was a convent, its name of Tzaghkots deriving from that of Mother Superior Tzaghik.”<fnref n="450" />

**An Architectural Description.** Tzaghkots Cloister, which consists of Sourb Astvatzatzin Church and a gavit, used to have “...a large dwelling and four small monastic cells” within its enclosure.<fnref n="451" />

The church (exterior dimensions: 9.25 x 6.4 metres), built of undressed stone and mortar, represents a uni-nave vaulted basilica. It is illuminated through

four narrow windows widening inside, each of them opening from one of the four facades of the monument. Its only entrance connects it with a gavit of rectangular plan which adjoins it in the west.

This gavit replaced an older one in the last quarter of the 19th century, its foundation being initiated by Priest Hovsep Baliants: “The monastery used to have a wooden gavit, but Priest Hovsep urged the inhabitants of Garnaker to destroy it. At present a new one, designed to have stone walls and a wooden roof, is under construction. It comprises two graves which the local residents believe retain the remains of some hermits. Their tombstones, representing crude slabs, are bare of any epitaphs.”<fnref n="452" />

In the 1980s, the gavit, whose walls were preserved to a height of 1.5 metres, was in a semi-ruined state. Its only entrance opened from its southern facade which retained the remnants of two windows.

In 1919 the cloister was in a state of decrepitude.<fnref n="453" />

In 1840 **the dominions of Tzaghkots Cloister** were described as follows, “...it has a garden of 250 rubles which yields 40 rubles per annum, and a mulberry wood of 40 rubles, providing an income of 10 rubles.”<fnref n="454" />

<figure><img src="image_716.png" /><figcaption>GARNAKER (BARUMSHEN). The plan of Tzaghkots Cloister</figcaption></figure>

<footnote n="450">450 “Ardzagank,” 1886, No. 21, p. 308.</footnote>

<footnote n="451">451 National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3814, pp. 107-108.</footnote>

<footnote n="452">452 *Barkhutariants, M.*, idem, p. 316. By the time Yer. Lalayan visited the monastery the gavit had already been completed (*Lalayan, Yer*, idem, p. 343).</footnote>

<footnote n="453">453 National Archives of Armenia, fund 56, list 4, file 927, p. 32.</footnote>

<footnote n="454">454 National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3798, pp. 63-64.</footnote>
<figure><img src="image_717.png" /></figure>

<figure><img src="image_718.png" /><figcaption>GARNAKER (BARUMSHEN). Sourb Astvatzatzin Church seen from the west; a window opening from the western facade of the church, and its only entrance opening from its southern facade</figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="image_719.png" /></figure>

<figure><img src="image_720.png" /></figure>

In 1847 the cloister had a vineyard, a mulberry wood, a large house and four small cells.<fnref n="455" /> A vineyard, four small rooms and a large dwelling adjoined its enclosure in 1852.<fnref n="456" /> A garden and three wooden rooms abutted on its enclosure between 1860 and 1862.<fnref n="457" />

In 1886 the estates of Tzaghkots Cloister comprised some arable land, a vineyard and three rooms.<fnref n="458" /> In 1910 it held possession of some vineyards and mulberry woods covering three dessiatinas.<fnref n="459" />

**Lapidary Inscriptions.** The walls of Sourb Astvatzatzin Church bear some cross-stones (they date from the 15th to 17th centuries) which are inscribed:

Carved on a khachkar set in the southern window of the church. Half of it being buried in the stonework of the wall, the inscription is only partly intelligible, with the part containing the year broken:

[Թվին] Ջ..(առնվազն՝ 1451 թ.)...[հաւ]րն իմ Թումկիթ[ն, մար]/ն իմոյ Ծանի...:

transl.: *In the year ... [at least 1451] to my father Tumik [and] my mother Janp...*

The Armenian original published in: **Karpetian, S.** The Historical Monuments of Northern Artsakh. In: "Lragir," 1995, p. 6.

A single line in the Armenian original:

ՋԻՆ (1476):

The Armenian original published in: **Lalayan, Yer. Gandzak District, p. 343; Corpus..., part 5, p. 269.**

6 lines in the Armenian original incised into a cross-stone inwardly set in the upper part of the window of the northern facade:

Թվ(ին) | ՋԼԹ (1490). խաչս փ/լկուքիւն հլ/գոյ Ամիր/հասանին:

transl.: *In the year 1490. This Holy Cross [stands] for the salvation of Amirhasan's soul.*

The Armenian original published in: **Karpetian, S., ibid.**

Engraved on a cross-stone set in the niche of the font:

Թվ(ին) Ո-ԺԱ (1562):

transl.: *In the year 1562.*

The Armenian original published in: **Karpetian, S., ibid.**

Inscribed on a khachkar inwardly set in the northern wall of the church:

Սուրբ խաչ տէր պարոն Գաբրիելին քաւարան. թվ Ո-ՃԼԸ (1689):

transl.: *This Holy Cross [stands in memory of] Mr. Gabriel... in the year 1689.*

The Armenian original published in: **Barkhutarians, M. Artsakh, p. 316; Lalayan, Yer., ibid; Corpus..., ibid.**

3 lines in the Armenian original carved on the lower part of a cross-stone set near the window of the northern facade:

...Ներսէս էրեց/ կա(ն)գնեցի զխաչս / ձևողաց խոց:

<footnote n="455">455 Idem, file 3814, pp. 107-108.</footnote>

<footnote n="456">456 Idem, file 3819, pp. 116-117.</footnote>

<footnote n="457">457 Idem, file 3834, pp. 24-25; file 3836, pp. 44-45.</footnote>

<footnote n="458">458 National Archives of Armenia, fund 56, list 18, file 138.</footnote>

<footnote n="459">459 National Archives of Armenia, fund 56, list 6, file 775, p. 27.</footnote>
<figure><img src="image_721.png" /></figure>

<figure><img src="image_722.png" /><figcaption>GARNAKER (BARUMSHEN). The remnants of a double-span bridge over the river Shamkor</figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="image_723.png" /></figure>

<figure><img src="image_724.png" /><figcaption>GARNAKER (BARUMSHEN). Tzaghkots Cloister seen from the south and south-west</figcaption></figure>

transl.: ...I, Priest Nerses, erected this Cross for my parents.

The Armenian original published in: **Karapetian, S.**, ibid.

Note: The inscription dates back to the period between the 16th and 17th centuries.

2 lines in the Armenian original incised into a cross-stone set in the northern niche of the bema:

Նագ|ր(ա)ն:

transl.: Nazran.

The Armenian original published in: **Karapetian, S.**, ibid.

4 lines in the Armenian original engraved on a tombstone lying in the yard, near the northern wall of the church:

Այս է տապան կ(ա)րն(ա)գ(ե)ցի | Աղանանանց Ուկանին, | որր հանդիպիր տուր | ողորմի, 1859 ամի:

transl.: In this grave reposes Voskan Aghajaniants from Garnaker. May you who come across it pray for him. In the year 1859.

The Armenian original published in: **Karapetian, S.**, ibid.

The school of Tzaghkots Cloister played an important educational role in Garnaker before the establishment of a parish school there. This institution, where “scholar Hovhannes Maghakiants the Archimandrite”<fnref n="460" /> is known to have worked, taught its pupils

“...Armenian, church songs and conduct of divine service.”<fnref n="461" />

The available information regarding the **priors of Tzaghkots Cloister** is as follows:

Archimandrite Hovhannes Maghakiants, mentioned between the early 1820s and 1839, taught the Armenian language in the school of Tzaghkots Cloister.<fnref n="462" /> In 1839 he shared his post with Coenobite Movses Maghakiants.<fnref n="463" />

In 1860 reference is made to Archimandrite Harutiun.<fnref n="464" /> Another archimandrite served as Father Superior in 1853⁴⁶⁵ and 1862.<fnref n="466" />

In 1864 the spiritual leader of the cloister was Archimandrite Harutiun Mamikoniants.<fnref n="467" />

An archimandrite, whose name remains unknown, performed the duties of Prior in 1878.<fnref n="468" />

Archimandrite Hovhannes Baraghamiants, who was appointed Father Superior in 1882, held that post for over 28 years.<fnref n="469" /> He still headed the monastic com-

<footnote n="460">460 National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3831, p. 40; file 3833, pp. 134-135.</footnote>

<footnote n="461">461 National Archives of Armenia, fund 56, list 1, file 4254, p. 11.</footnote>

<footnote n="462">462 National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3831, pp. 39-40.</footnote>

<footnote n="463">463 Idem, file 457, p. 8.</footnote>

<footnote n="464">464 Idem, file 3834, pp. 24-25; file 3833, pp. 112-113.</footnote>

<footnote n="465">465 Idem, file 2743, pp. 20-21.</footnote>

<footnote n="466">466 Idem, file 3836, p. 56.</footnote>

<footnote n="467">467 Idem, file 3843, p. 7.</footnote>

<footnote n="468">468 Idem, file 3870, p. 26.</footnote>

<footnote n="469">469 National Archives of Armenia, fund 56, list 6, file 775, p. 27, list 5, file 320, p. 1.</footnote>
<figure><img src="image_725.png" /><figcaption>GARNAKER (BARUMSHEN). Tzaghkots Cloister seen from the west. Khachkars (14th cent.) set around a window opening from the northern wall of the church. A tombstone (1859)</figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="image_726.png" /></figure>

munity in 1910, despite the fact that he was over 106: "...The spiritual leader of the cloister is Archimandrite Hovhannes Baraghamian, who has seen 106 springs... Rather advanced in years, he is absolutely unable, both physically and mentally, to govern the monastery so that it is high time he should be released from his duties."<fnref n="470" />

**Hreshtakapetats (of the Holy Archangels) Monastery** is situated on the left bank of the river Shamkor, 150 metres south of Tzaghkots Cloister.

The only building of this monastery to have come down to us is a church. Its construction inscription, which was fortunately copied and published in the late 19th century, reveals that it was founded in 1816 by Archimandrite Hovhannes and Mahtesy Hovhannes:

Carved on the northern wall of the gavit:

Ընորիչ Աստուծոյ շինեցաւ տւրք Միքայէլ և Գարիէլս ձեռամք Յովհաննէս վարդապետի եւ մահտեսի Յովհաննէսի հանդերձ միարան երբարք. թվ(հն) ՈՄԿԵ (1816):

transl.: By the grace of God, Archimandrite Hovhannes and Mahtesy Hovhannes built this church of Sts. Michael and Gabriel together with the brethren of the community in the year 1816.

The Armenian original published in: **Jalaliants**, S. Journey to Great Armenia, part 1, Tpkhis, 1842, p. 163; "Ardzagank," 1886, No. 21, p. 308; **Barkhutariants**, M. Artsakh, p. 316.

Note: Jalaliants deciphers the year as '1616.'

Archimandrite Hovhannes' remains were interred in the gavit of the monastery, with the following epitaph engraved on his gravestone:

Այս է հանգիստ ճգնաւոր Յոհաննէս վարդապետի, շինող վանիս, Մաղաքի որդի. թվ ՈՄՀէ (1828):

transl.: In this grave reposes hermit Hovhannes the Archimandrite, the founder of this monastery [and] the son of Maghak. 1828.

The Armenian original published in: **Barkhutariants**, M., idem, pp. 316-317.

Some topographers who visited Hreshtakapetats Monastery at the close of the 19th century describe it as

<footnote n="470">⁴⁷⁰ Idem, file 775, pp. 27-28.</footnote>
<figure><img src="image_727.png" /></figure>

<figure><img src="image_728.png" /><figcaption>GARNAKER (BARUMSHEN). Hreshtakapetats Monastery with Tzaghkots Cloister in the background. The church of Hreshtakapetats Monastery seen from the north-west</figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="image_729.png" /></figure>

<figure><img src="image_730.png" /><figcaption>GARNAKER (BARUMSHEN). The church of Hreshtakapetats Monastery seen from the south-west and west</figcaption></figure>

a semi-ruined, derelict complex devoid of any lands (all that it possessed comprised a garden) and con- signed to the care of a solitary priest.<fnref n="471" />

The monument was in the same state in the first decades of the 20th century: thus, a register of the dominions of Gandzak monasteries, made up on 28 June 1910, states the following, "...a vineyard and mul- berry wood occupying an area of about three dessiati- nas and hardly yielding forty buckets of wine a year. The post of Prior is held by Archimandrite Hovhannes Baraghamian, who has seen 106 springs, ...being appointed in 1882."<fnref n="472" />

**An Architectural Description.** At the end of the 19th century, Hreshtakapetats Monastery still preserved its church, the adjoining gavit and monks' dwellings: "The cloister also has a gavit of stone and mortar which retains some graves. ...It possesses a garden and nine old cells with narrow windows and low doors..."<fnref n="473" />

By the time we visited the monastery in 1984, only its church had been preserved, and that on the verge of final collapse.

This church (exterior dimensions: 10.7 x 8 metres), built of undressed stone and mortar, represents a uni- nave vaulted basilica, with two vaulted sacristies of rectangular plan in the east. Its main peculiarity con-

<figure><img src="image_731.png" /><figcaption>GARNAKER (BARUMSHEN). The plan of the church of Hreshtakapetats Monastery</figcaption></figure>

<footnote n="471">471 Barkhutariants, M., idem, pp. 316-317; Lalayan, Yer, ibid.</footnote>

<footnote n="472">472 National Archives of Armenia, fund 56, list 6, file 775, p. 27.</footnote>

<footnote n="473">473 Barkhutariants, M., idem, pp. 316, 317.</footnote>
<figure><img src="image_732.png" /></figure>

<figure><img src="image_733.png" /></figure>

<figure><img src="image_734.png" /></figure>

<figure><img src="image_735.png" /><figcaption>GARNAKER (BARUMSHEN). Khachkars in the walls and in the yard of the church of Hreshtakapetats Monastery</figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="image_736.png" /></figure>

<figure><img src="image_737.png" /><figcaption>GARNAKER (BARUMSHEN). A border cross (1314) found in the yard of the church of Hreshtakapetats Monastery</figcaption></figure>

sists in the dimensions of its northern vestry, which juts out of the main structure of the church. Its only entrance opens from the western facade. The church is plastered inside, its walls, mainly those of the bema, bearing the traces of some frescoes. The stonework of the building also includes small, finely-adorned khachkars one of which is fitted into a frame for the southern window. This cross-stone, whose only remnants comprise its girdle, was engraved with the following inscription:

Թ-(1)հ(ն) Ո-Ը(1559):
transl.: *In the year 1559.*

In the Soviet years, the bell of the church was taken to Barum (Sari Barum) to be used in the local school. On 20 January 1980, however, some unidentified thieves stole it.

This bell was engraved with an inscription which was fortunately copied in due time by Barum inhabitant Pavel Khojayan:

Զանգակս շամխոսեցի Խշխան(ե)անց Յոհանջանի որդի ... ի դուռն Ծաղկուա Հրեշտակապետաց ... յիշ(ա)տ(ա)կ է 1815:

transl.: *The son of Ohanjan Ishkhaniants from Shamkhor...this bell ...Hreshtakapetats of Tzaghkots ...in memory 1815.*

Published for the first time.

Sourb Astvatzatzin Church of Tzaghkots retains a finely-decorated **border cross** of exceptional value and significance. Originally, Hreshtakapetats Monastery was home to it, but in 1984 we moved it for the sake of preserving it, since the sanctuary was on the verge of collapse. This border cross bore the following inscription, three lines in the Armenian original:

Յրուց գետ ի Տաւոշ ձո/բոյ մինչեւ Ուկանապետ, /բոլին ՉԿԳ (1314).. տ(ետ)ն Ս(ա)րզիս:

transl.: *From the river Kur to Voskanapat via Tavush Gorge. In the year 1314... father Sargis.*

The Armenian original published in: **Karatpetian, S.** A Border Cross from Gardmank. In: 'Azatamart," N 43, 1994, p. 13, in Armenian.
Note: By fixing the aforementioned toponyms on a map, we get a vast territory whose borders were marked by the historical village of Voskanapat (present-day Zurnabad Village in Khanlar District of Northern Artsakh) in the east; the river Tavush in the west; the river Kur in the north, and the watershed of Mrav and Sevan in the south. As for Sargis, mentioned as the proprietor of these lands, we failed to find any reference to him in other sources so that his identity remains obscure.

**Harants Cemetery**, located west of Hreshtakapets Monastery, retains “...many graves with the remains of some hermits, archimandrites and monks.”<fnref n="474" />

Amidst the rocks towering on the right bank of the river Shamkor, east of Hreshtakapets Monastery can be seen a cavern called *Harants Ignaran* (*the Armenian equivalent for 'Fathers' Hermitage'*). In the late 19th century, this cave “...where some hermits are said to have spent their lives in total asceticism” boasted “...three magnificent cross-stones.”<fnref n="475" /> They, however, had been removed by the time we visited Harants Ignaran in 1984.

**Other Monuments Preserved in the Neighbourhood of Garnaker.** A church used to be situated on the brink of a gorge, at the north-western extremity of the village, in a site called Tsits Kar. According to Barsum inhabitant Nikolai Ghazarian, it represented a structure of white sandstone and had a gable roof built of wood. The facade-bearing stone of its entrance was engraved with the following construction inscription:

Θυλ(Ηύ) Πλαφ (1244):

transl.: In the year 1244.

Note: The inscription is taken from N. Ghazarian's unpublished work.

The church was demolished in 1934 and replaced by a school.

**A pilgrimage destination** called *Nahatak* (*the Armenian equivalent for 'Martyr'* ) is located on the right bank of the river Shamkor, in the north-east of Garnaker. In the late 19th century, it comprised “...a chapel of a wooden roof which retains the remains of an unknown martyr.”<fnref n="476" /> By 1984, however, only some meagre vestiges had survived as silent reminders of the once standing sanctuary.

**Another pilgrimage site** named *Tratz Khach* (*the Armenian equivalent for 'A Soaring Cross'* ) is situated on a watershed between two gorges called *Spitak Aru* (*the Armenian equivalent for 'White Canal'* ) and *Tsamak Aru* (*the Armenian equivalent for 'Dried Canal'* ).

The ruins of a **chapel** and a **cemetery** of cross-stones are preserved at the north-eastern extremity of the **village site of Hndzadzori Pkategher** situated on

the right bank of the Hndzadzor, i.e. the tributary of the river Shamkor.

The territory of another village site, called **Bov Dzori Pkategher** and located north of Garnaker, served for the establishment of some farms in the Soviet years.

**The cavern of Dzor Prak** was one of the fortifications of Garnaker Village. It could accommodate between 10 and 15 people in case of necessity.

### GHARAGHOJALI

Gharaghojali lies on the left bank of the river Shamkor, 13 kilometres south of the district centre, at an altitude of 530 to 570 metres above sea level.

It was established by some Turkish cattle-breeders who shifted to a sedentary life in the site of an ancient abandoned Armenian village in the early 20th century.

### GHARAJAMIRLI

This large Turkish village is situated 17 kilometres east of the district centre, at an altitude of 210 to 225 metres above sea level.

It was established in the second half of the 19th century by some cattle-breeding tribes which had shifted to a sedentary life.

The available statistical data regarding 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>477</sup></td><td>197</td><td>1,018</td><td>781</td><td>1,799</td></tr><tr><td>1914<sup>478</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>2,151</td></tr><tr><td>1977<sup>479</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>4,331</td></tr></tbody></table>

### GHARANUY (GHARAGHOYUNLU)

The village extends 11 kilometres north-east of the district centre, at an altitude of 200 to 210 metres above sea level.

It was founded at the beginning of the 20th century by some Turkish stock-breeders who had changed to a sedentary mode of life.

### GHASUMALILAR

This village, dating back to the Soviet years, is situated in the middle of the highway of Shamkor-Charakhlu, 7.5 kilometres south-west of the district centre, at an altitude of 1,130 to 1,140 metres above sea level.

### GYOYMAMEDLI

**Location.** This Turkish village lies on the left side of the highway of Chardakhlu-Shamkhor, 8 kilometres south-west of the district centre, at an altitude of 1,090 to 1,150 metres above sea level.

<footnote n="474">474 Idem, p. 317.</footnote>

<footnote n="475">475 Ibid.</footnote>

<footnote n="476">476 Ibid.</footnote>

<footnote n="477">477 A Statistical Survey..., pp. 82-83.</footnote>

<footnote n="478">478 Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 134.</footnote>

<footnote n="479">479 SAE, vol. 3, p. 69.</footnote>
It dates from the Soviet years and was established
in the territories seized from Chardakhlu out of certain
political considerations.

GYULAMBAR
(GYULAMBIR, GLAMBAR, GYULAMBYUR,
KYULAMBYUR)

**Location.** The village is situated on the right bank of the river Shamkor, 17 kilometres south of the district centre, at an altitude of 1,090 to 1,150 metres above sea level.

**A Historical Introduction.** The available sources do not provide any information concerning the foundation and medieval history of the village, but the monuments preserved in the area attest that it dates back to at least the 12th century. Beginning with the 18th century, the archive documents and topographical works mention it by the name of Gyulambar (its historical name has probably sunk into oblivion).

In the ‘60s of the 18th century, Georgian King Heracle, who had deported the Armenian inhabitants of many Northern Artsakh villages to Tiflis, attempted to do the same with the residents of Gyulambar. They, however, managed to escape forced resettlement and took up residence in Tavush (Shamshadin) District, where they founded the village of Aygedzor (Ghulali): “...to evade obeying the king’s order, they applied to Ali-Sultan, the ruler of Shamshadin District, and swore subjection to him, provided that they should be permitted to establish a village in the site of the present-day one.”<fnref n="480" />

In 1804, when the issue of the belonging of Nukzar’s *Sourb Amenaprkich* (*the Armenian equivalent for ‘Holy Saviour’*) Monastery became a subject of debate, Archbishop Hovhannes received a letter stating the following, “The residents of both Barsum and Garnaker attest that Gyulambir belongs to Amenaprkich. This was common knowledge even among our ancestors so that it has become customary to refer to it as the village of the monastery.”<fnref n="481" />

A record of 1842 states that Gyulambar “...extends on the bank of the river Shamkor and enjoys a favourable position, the area abounding in magnificent gardens. ...It used to comprise thirty families which left the village, moving to a mountainous area.”<fnref n="482" />

According to a source of the late 19th century, Gyulambar, that lay completely derelict, revived only thanks to several Armenian families from Nukzar.<fnref n="483" />

<figure><img src="image_738.png" /></figure>

<figure><img src="image_739.png" /><figcaption>GYULAMBAR (GYULAMBYUR). The remnants of the church of Karmir (Dasno) Monastery. Its plan</figcaption></figure>

In 1886 the village, having merely 7 houses (its inhabitants were mainly occupied with farming), belonged to the Tsiraliants, a rich, Tiflis-based family.<fnref n="484" /> Gyulambar, that had 325 residents in 1917⁴⁸⁵ and 15 to 20 (12 to 15 houses) in 1986,<fnref n="486" /> was stripped of its Armenian population in 1988.

The village used to have “...a simple” **parish church** “...of a wooden roof....” where sometimes a priest from Barsum held divine service.<fnref n="487" /> The sanctuary was demolished in the Soviet years.

**Karmir Monastery.** The ruins of Dasno (Horomashen) Monastery (commonly known by the name of ‘Karmir Vank,’ i.e. ‘Red Monastery’), that is distinguished for its remarkable history, are preserved at the north-western extremity of the village, on the right bank of the river Shamkor. Representing a structure of cruciform composition (Getabak’s St. Sargis Church can be considered its parallel with this regard), it occupies a special place among the religious monuments in the region.

**A Historical Introduction.** As legend has it, the monastery was founded “...by some Armenian clergymen who had fled from Greece in the year 751.”<fnref n="488" />

<footnote n="480">480 **Gaspar, H.** Village Legends. In: “Nor-Dar,” 1889, No. 50, in Armenian.</footnote>

<footnote n="481">481 National Archives of Armenia, fund 332, list 1, file 596, p. 1.</footnote>

<footnote n="482">482 **Jalaliants, S.**, idem, part 1, p. 162. According to Lalayan, they moved to Jagir and other villages (Gandzak District, p. 324).</footnote>

<footnote n="483">483 **Lalayan, Yer**, idem, p. 325; **Barkhutariants, M.**, idem, p. 296.</footnote>

<footnote n="484">484 “Ardzagank,” 1886, No. 21, p. 307.</footnote>

<footnote n="485">485 **Avetissian, M. M.**, idem, p. 166.</footnote>

<footnote n="486">486 **Karapetian, S.** The Historical Monuments of Northern Artsakh. In: “Lragir,” 4 March 1995, p. 6. **Karapetian, B.**, **Karapetian, S.** The Mysteries of Gandzak (Kirovabad) and Northern Artsakh. Moscow, 1998, p. 307, in Russian.</footnote>

<footnote n="487">487 “Ardzagank,” 1886, No. 21, p. 307.</footnote>

<footnote n="488">488 **Jalaliants, S.**, ibid.</footnote>
It is mentioned in 1184 as the place where Mkhitar Gosh wrote his famous Code of Laws: "It was completed in a monastery named Dasno, ... in a province called after its capital Gandzak, in the land of Arran,<fnref n="489" /> through Father Hovsep and monk Poghos' support."<fnref n="490" />

In 1804 the sanctuary was dependent on Nukzar's Sourb Amenaprkich Monastery (the sources of the preceding period do not contain any reference to it): "...Karmir... belongs to the great monastery of Amena-prkich and its village of Gyulambir, all the food and various articles received from other villages being gathered there and then taken to the latter."<fnref n="491" />

The following lines quoted from an archive document (28 September 1853) come to prove the aforementioned, "...another pilgrimage site, called Karmir Yekeghetsy<fnref n="492" /> and possessing great divine power, is located a verst and a half from the river Shamkor: it is subject to this monastery..."<fnref n="493" />

Although the monastery ceased functioning in the '40s of the 19th century, its buildings stood intact for a few decades.

In 1886 the state of the monument was described as follows: "...on the right bank of the river, one can see a chapel called Karmir Yekeghetsy, which represents a vaulted structure of stone: it is adjoined by a gavit retaining three unknown graves. Its outer niches, southern and northern, used to be engraved with some inscriptions which have been deliberately annihilated so that only the initial letters of the lines can be discerned."<fnref n="494" />

At the close of the 19th century, the monastery represented the following picture, "The sanctuary, soaring high on the road on the right bank of the river Shamkor, represents a small, cruciform structure entirely built of finely-cut red stone; hence its name of Karmir Vank."<fnref n="495" />

The monument, which bears a close resemblance to a monastery rather than a church, has a fine, pointed dome and a small, dark sacristy in the southern corner of its main apse. It consists of a grave-yard, an enclosure of stone and mortar, some cells intended for the monks, and a gavit retaining many graves which are bare of any epitaphs (all these buildings are in a state of dilapidation). The part below the cornice of the exterior northern wall of the monastery used to bear a long Armenian inscrip-

tion, enumerating the entire real estate it was in possession of. Several years ago, however, a dishonest Armenian broke the inscribed stones and fraudulently arrogated the dominions of the sanctuary."<fnref n="496" />

Karmir Vank was levelled with the ground in the 1930s, its stones serving as building material for a cattle-shed situated about 100 metres north of it. By 1980 only some remnants of its main walls had survived suggesting that the monument had been either a tri-nave or a quadri-nave structure, most presumably, dating back to the period between the 6th and 7th centuries.

The vestiges of the piers of a multi-span medieval bridge, built of cobblestone and mortar, are preserved over the river Shamkor, west of the village.<fnref n="497" />

## HAJJIALILAR

**Location.** The village lies 13 kilometres south-west of the district centre, at an altitude of 1,180 to 1,200 metres above sea level.

At the beginning of the 20th century, it served as a summer encampment for the village community of Dzegam-Jerdakhan (Yukhari Ayipli).

## JAGIR

**Location.** Jagir is situated 16 kilometres south-west of the district centre, at an altitude of 1,300 to 1,420 metres above sea level.

**A Historical Introduction.** The village, whose date of foundation is unknown, retains some monuments (such as a Bronze Age castle, etc.) attesting that man has inhabited it since time immemorial.

**Apostasy.** The unspeakable persecution and the clergymen's indifference to the village in general, intertwined with the absence of a school and a priest, eventually aroused some tendency of apostasy among the local inhabitants. Jagir's desperate Armenians voluntarily applied to the Georgian Exarch with a petition to be converted to the Georgian Orthodox faith. On 22 July 1913 Gandzak's vicar informed Catholicos of All Armenians Gevorg V about that painful fact.<fnref n="498" />

**Population.** In the early 19th century, "...between 20 and 25 families resettled here from Gyulambar Village..."<fnref n="499" />

The following list (1839), including the names of the members of 14 local families (56 people on the whole) is of great importance from the standpoint of the study of their history:

<footnote n="489">489 Caucasian Albania, mainly referred to in this work by the Armenian version of its name, i.e. Aghvank.</footnote>

<footnote n="490">490 Code of Laws by Mkhitar Gosh. Prepared for publication by Thorossian, Kh. Yerevan, 1975, p. 25, in Armenian. Also see Colophons of the Armenian Manuscripts of the 5th to 12th centuries, pp. 242-243.</footnote>

<footnote n="491">491 National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 596, p. 1.</footnote>

<footnote n="492">492 The Armenian equivalent for 'Red Church.'</footnote>

<footnote n="493">493 National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 2742, p. 17.</footnote>

<footnote n="494">494 "Ardzagank," 1886, No. 21, p. 307.</footnote>

<footnote n="495">495 As we have already mentioned above, 'karmir' is the Armenian equivalent for 'red.'</footnote>

<footnote n="496">496 Barkhutariants, M., idem, pp. 295-296.</footnote>

<footnote n="497">497 Karapetian, S. A New Year in the Shamkor Gorge (Travelling Notes). In: "Gardmank," 1996, No. 3, p. 13, in Armenian.</footnote>

<footnote n="498">498 National Archives of Armenia, fund 57, list 2, file 2139, pp. 2-3.</footnote>

<footnote n="499">499 "Ardzagank," 1886, No. 21, p. 308. Also see Jalaliants, S., ibid.</footnote>
"1 Sargis Grigorian, his wife Guli and their adopted son Arzuman with his spouse Sandukht and his daughter Pari;

2 Anania Sahakian, his mother Vardi, his brother Grigor and their cousin Ghambar;

3 Gabriel Sargissian, his wife Yeghisabet, as well as their children Ghevond and Mariam;

4 Arakel Petrossian, his wife Anayi, as well as their sons Poghos and Harutiun;

5 Kirakos Sargissian, his spouse Javahir, as well as their son Stepan and their daughter Manushak;

6 Hovakim Danielian, his wife Gozal and their son Gevorg;

7 Ghukas Khachaturian, his mother Hyurzada, his spouse Mariam and his brother Mnatsakan with his wife Ghumash;

8 Mateos Baghiov, his wife Yeghsum and his nephew Hayrapet;

9 Tzatur Ohanian, his wife Aziz and their son Ohan with his spouse Horom and his daughter Mariam;

10 Grigor Kirakossian, his wife Khatun and his nephew Harutiun;

11 Harutiun Braziants, his wife Shahgyul, as well as his brother Papi with his spouse Sabet;

12 Abraham Khachaturian, his wife Anna and their son David;

13 Avet Tzaturian, his wife Vari and their son Hovsep; Avet's brother Grigor with his spouse Margaret and his son Gevorg;

14 Virap Mkrtchian with his step children Mirza and Anman."500

The available 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>1845<sup>501</sup></td><td></td><td>142</td><td>122</td><td>264</td></tr><tr><td>1847<sup>502</sup></td><td></td><td>146</td><td>109</td><td>255</td></tr><tr><td>1849<sup>503</sup></td><td></td><td>152</td><td>141</td><td>293</td></tr><tr><td>1852<sup>504</sup></td><td></td><td>101</td><td>90</td><td>191</td></tr><tr><td>1861<sup>505</sup></td><td>28</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1866<sup>506</sup></td><td>68</td><td>284</td><td>223</td><td>507</td></tr><tr><td>1872<sup>507</sup></td><td></td><td>321</td><td>274</td><td>595</td></tr><tr><td>1874<sup>508</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>477</td></tr><tr><td>1875<sup>509</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>495</td></tr><tr><td>1876<sup>510</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>511</td></tr><tr><td>1877<sup>511</sup></td><td></td><td>324</td><td>264</td><td>588</td></tr><tr><td>1878<sup>512</sup></td><td></td><td>322</td><td>268</td><td>590</td></tr><tr><td>1880<sup>513</sup></td><td></td><td>321</td><td>274</td><td>595</td></tr><tr><td>1881<sup>514</sup></td><td></td><td>332</td><td>279</td><td>611</td></tr></tbody></table>

<table><tbody><tr><td>1882<sup>515</sup></td><td></td><td>336</td><td>285</td><td>621</td></tr><tr><td>1883<sup>516</sup></td><td></td><td>352</td><td>303</td><td>655</td></tr><tr><td>1885<sup>517</sup></td><td>73</td><td>351</td><td>395</td><td>746</td></tr><tr><td>1886<sup>518</sup></td><td>75</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1887<sup>519</sup></td><td></td><td>387</td><td>402</td><td>789</td></tr><tr><td>1888<sup>520</sup></td><td></td><td>386</td><td>402</td><td>788</td></tr><tr><td>1889<sup>521</sup></td><td></td><td>326</td><td>426</td><td>752</td></tr><tr><td>1890<sup>522</sup></td><td></td><td>336</td><td>431</td><td>767</td></tr><tr><td>1891<sup>523</sup></td><td></td><td>349</td><td>444</td><td>793</td></tr><tr><td>1892<sup>524</sup></td><td></td><td>362</td><td>462</td><td>824</td></tr><tr><td>1893<sup>525</sup></td><td></td><td>369</td><td>477</td><td>846</td></tr><tr><td>1894<sup>526</sup></td><td></td><td>388</td><td>495</td><td>883</td></tr><tr><td>1897<sup>527</sup></td><td></td><td>388</td><td>544</td><td>932</td></tr><tr><td>1898<sup>528</sup></td><td></td><td>401</td><td>529</td><td>930</td></tr><tr><td>1899<sup>529</sup></td><td></td><td>408</td><td>534</td><td>942</td></tr><tr><td>1900<sup>530</sup></td><td></td><td>423</td><td>452</td><td>875</td></tr><tr><td>1901<sup>531</sup></td><td></td><td>417</td><td>471</td><td>888</td></tr><tr><td>1902<sup>532</sup></td><td></td><td>425</td><td>484</td><td>909</td></tr><tr><td>1905<sup>533</sup></td><td></td><td>432</td><td>487</td><td>919</td></tr><tr><td>1906<sup>534</sup></td><td></td><td>489</td><td>532</td><td>1,021</td></tr><tr><td>1907<sup>535</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>1,232</td></tr><tr><td>1908<sup>536</sup></td><td>160</td><td>740</td><td>657</td><td>1,397</td></tr><tr><td>1909<sup>537</sup></td><td></td><td>463</td><td>491</td><td>954</td></tr><tr><td>1910<sup>538</sup></td><td></td><td>765</td><td>676</td><td>1,441</td></tr><tr><td>1912<sup>539</sup></td><td></td><td>468</td><td>496</td><td>964</td></tr><tr><td>1914<sup>540</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>1,600</td></tr><tr><td>1917<sup>541</sup></td><td>140</td><td></td><td></td><td>1,360</td></tr><tr><td>1977<sup>542</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>989</td></tr><tr><td>1985<sup>543</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>786</td></tr></tbody></table>

In 1988 the local Armenians, amounting to 700, were forced to leave Jagir and resettle in Shishkaya Village of Vardenis District in Gegharkunik Marz of the Republic of Armenia.

<footnote n="500">500 National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3800, p. 28.</footnote>

<footnote n="501">501 Idem, file 3811, pp. 5-6.</footnote>

<footnote n="502">502 Idem, file 3814, pp. 97-98.</footnote>

<footnote n="503">503 Idem, file 3818, pp. 97-98.</footnote>

<footnote n="504">504 Idem, file 3819, pp. 106-107.</footnote>

<footnote n="505">505 Idem, file 3835, pp. 148-149. Also see fund 56, list 1, file 4254, p. 11.</footnote>

<footnote n="506">506 National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3848, p. 57.</footnote>

<footnote n="507">507 Idem, file 3872, pp. 62-63. Another statistical source reports 435 inhabitants (idem, file 3859, pp. 161-162).</footnote>

<footnote n="508">508 Idem, file 3864, pp. 41-42.</footnote>

<footnote n="509">509 Idem, file 3866, pp. 45-46.</footnote>

<footnote n="510">510 Idem, file 3868, pp. 57-58.</footnote>

<footnote n="511">511 Idem, file 3869, pp. 54-55.</footnote>

<footnote n="512">512 Idem, file 3870, pp. 22-23.</footnote>

<footnote n="513">513 Idem, file 3872, pp. 30-31.</footnote>

<footnote n="514">514 Idem, file 3873, pp. 27-28.</footnote>

<footnote n="515">515 Idem, file 3874, p. 30.</footnote>

<footnote n="516">516 Idem, file 3875, pp. 56-57.</footnote>

<footnote n="517">517 Idem, file 3877, p. 30. Also see "Ardzagank," 1885, No. 4, p. 51.</footnote>

<footnote n="518">518 A Statistical Survey..., pp. 76-77. Also see "Ardzagank," 1886, No. 21, p. 308.</footnote>

<footnote n="519">519 National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3880, p. 74.</footnote>

<footnote n="520">520 Idem, file 3882, p. 131.</footnote>

<footnote n="521">521 Idem, file 3884, pp. 228-229.</footnote>

<footnote n="522">522 Idem, file 3887, p. 150.</footnote>

<footnote n="523">523 Idem, file 3889, p. 149.</footnote>

<footnote n="524">524 Idem, file 3891, p. 121.</footnote>

<footnote n="525">525 Idem, file 3895, pp. 78-79.</footnote>

<footnote n="526">526 Idem, file 3896, pp. 174-175.</footnote>

<footnote n="527">527 Idem, file 3899, pp. 147-148.</footnote>

<footnote n="528">528 Idem, file 3897, p. 169.</footnote>

<footnote n="529">529 Idem, file 3903, pp. 128-129.</footnote>

<footnote n="530">530 Idem, file 3905, pp. 93-94.</footnote>

<footnote n="531">531 Idem, file 3906, pp. 99-100.</footnote>

<footnote n="532">532 Idem, file 3907, pp. 23-24.</footnote>

<footnote n="533">533 Idem, file 3912, pp. 266-267.</footnote>

<footnote n="534">534 Idem, file 3915, p. 24.</footnote>

<footnote n="535">535 National Archives of Armenia, fund 56, list 1, file 240, p. 2.
536 National Archives of Armenia, fund 35, list 1, file 559, p. 11. Also see Caucasian Calendar for 1911, Tiflis, 1910, p. 240.</footnote>

<footnote n="537">537 National Archives of Armenia, fund 56, list 18, file 764, p. 117.</footnote>

<footnote n="538">538 National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list1, file 3917, pp. 59-60.</footnote>

<footnote n="539">539 National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list1, file 3919, pp. 62-63.</footnote>

<footnote n="540">540 Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 118.</footnote>

<footnote n="541">541 Avetissian, M. M., idem, p. 167.</footnote>

<footnote n="542">542 Karapetian, S. Abandoned Armenian Settlements in Azerbaijan. In: "Hayreniki Dzayn," No. 3, 9 February 1993, p. 4.</footnote>

<footnote n="543">543 As attested by the Village Council.</footnote>
<figure><img src="image_740.png" /><figcaption>JAGIR. A general view of the village</figcaption></figure>

The Armeno-Turkish Fights between 1905 and 1906. Panic-stricken at the news of the devastation of Bada and the impending Turkish attack, on 27 November 1905 the local people abandoned the village, finding shelter in Barsum and Garnaker.<fnref n="544" />

In 1985 Jagir had a functioning 8-year school of 120 pupils.

The stylistic and architectural peculiarities of the local church of **Sourb Astvatzatzin** rank it among the monuments of the period between the 17th and 18th centuries. In the 19th century the sanctuary (by our second visit to it in 1985, its vault had totally collapsed) was reconstructed, its windows opening in the southern facade being widened.

The earliest archive documents bearing reference to the church, originally called St. Gevorg<fnref n="545" /> and then Sourb Astvatzatzin (from 1885 onwards),<fnref n="546" /> date back to the 1840s.<fnref n="547" />

The sanctuary (exterior dimensions: 21.5 x 11.6 metres) represents a basilica of a wooden roof, with a vaulted rectangular vestry on both sides of the apse. Each of the eastern and southern facades has three windows widening inside which provide the monument with illumination together with another opening in the western facade. The building, which has two entrances, southern and western, is built of undressed stone and mortar, its walls bearing about thirty finely-decorated cross-stones engraved with inscriptions.

Ես Ասմաւոնս կանկնեցի | զգաչս եղբաւրն իմ Ուսէփին, | հաւր իմ Ոհանէսին, մաւր իմ(ոյ) | Նագխասրունին, քվ(ին) ՉհԴ (1275):

transl.: *I, Simon, erected this cross in memory of my brother Usep, my father Ohanes [and] my mother Nazkhatun in the year 1275.*

The Armenian original published in: **Karapetian, S.** The Historical Monuments of Northern Artsakh. In: "Lragir," 1995, N 38, March 22, p. 6.

Incised into both sides of the lower wing of the main cross of a khachkar set in the western facade and serving as a cornerstone right of the entrance:

Թվ(ին) ՋԱ (1452):

transl.: *In the year 1452.*

The Armenian original published in: "Ardzagank," 1886, No. 21, p. 308; **Karapetian, S.**, ibid.

Carved on a cross-stone set in the window of the southern vestry:

... կան(զ)նե[gի խաչս] քվ(ին) :ՈԹ: (1560):

transl.: ...erected this cross in the year 1560.

The Armenian original published in: **Karapetian, S.**, ibid.

Inscribed on the cornice of another cross-stone adjoining the aforementioned one:

U(ուր)ք խս(ա)չս ք(արէխաւ)ս Խաչիկին: Թ(վ): ՈԿԸ (1619):

transl.: *May this Holy Cross protect Khachik. In the year 1619.*

The Armenian original published in: **Karapetian, S.**, ibid.

2 lines in the Armenian original engraved on the upper part of a cross-stone set in the window of the northern vestry:

U(ուր)ք խաչս Շահնագարին, | քվ(ին) ՈՀԵ (1626):

transl.: *This Holy Cross [dedicated] to Shahna-zar. In the year 1626.*

The Armenian original published in: **Karapetian, S.**, ibid.

<footnote n="544">544 Kajberuny, idem, p. 733.</footnote>

<footnote n="545">545 National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3818, pp. 97-98; file 3819, p. 106; file 3836, p. 58.</footnote>

<footnote n="546">546 Idem, file 3835, pp. 148-149.</footnote>

<footnote n="547">547 Idem, file 3877, p. 29.</footnote>
<figure><img src="image_741.png" /><figcaption>JAGIR. Sourb Astvatzatzin Church seen from the west; an inscription (1655) found in the bema and commemorating the construction of the altar; a window opening from the bema, and a khachkar (1452) set in the western facade of the church</figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="image_742.png" /></figure>

<figure><img src="image_743.png" /><figcaption>JAGIR. The plan of Sourb Astvatzatzin Church</figcaption></figure>

2 lines in the Armenian original carved on the upper part of a khachkar placed in the southern niche of the bema:

[Խա]չս Փարիխանին է, / քվ(հն) ՈՀԵ (1626):

transl.: This Cross [dedicated] to Parikhan. In the year 1626.

The Armenian original published in: **Karapetian, S.** ibid.

Incised into a khachkar placed in the northern niche of the bema:

Թվ(հն) ՈՀԵ (1626):

transl.: *In the year 1626.*

The Armenian original published in: **Karapetian, S.**, ibid.

Inscribed on a cross-stone lying in the niche of the northern vestry:

...դիսի հ(n)գ(n)յն, / քվ(հն) ՈՀԵ (1626):

transl.: ...soul. In the year 1626.

Published for the first time.

Carved on another cross-stone lying in the niche of the northern vestry:

...խմին, քվ(հն) ՈՀԵ (1626):

transl.: ...in the year 1626.

Published for the first time.

2 lines in the Armenian original engraved on a khachkar set in the window of the bema:

U(որ)ք խ(ա)չս պ(ա)ր(n)ն..., / քվ(հն) ՈՀՋ (1627):

transl.: May this Holy Cross [protect] Mr. ... in the year 1627.

The Armenian original published in: **Karapetian, S.**, ibid.
<figure><img src="image_744.png" /><figcaption>JAGIR. Khachkars set in the walls of Sourd Astvatzatzin Church</figcaption></figure>

2 incomplete lines in the Armenian original incised into the cornice of a cross-stone set in the window of the northern vestry:

U(ուր)ք խ(ս)չս, / քվ(հն) Ո-ՉԴ (1635):
transl.: *This Holy Cross, in the year 1635.*

Published for the first time.

A partly distorted inscription engraved on the cornice of a cross-stone lying in the south of the bema:

U(ուր)ք խ(ս)չս ... քանիկն, / քվ(հն) Ո-ՉԴ (1635):
transl.: *This Holy Cross ..., in the year 1635.*

Published for the first time.
6 lines in the Armenian original carved on a finely-cut corner-stone lying in the north of the bema:

U(ηρ)ρ եղանս յիշ/ատակ է Ղազար / ρ(ω)-h(ω)ն(ω)ին, որ ωա/տարագէր յիշէ/ցէր սողօս, / ρվ(հն) ՈՇԴ (1655):

transl.: *This holy altar is in memory of Priest Ghazar. May you pray for him at the divine service. In the year 1655.*

The Armenian original published in: **Karatetian, S.**, ibid.

Note: This inscription attests to the existence of the church in 1655.

3 semi-distorted lines in the Armenian original carved on the upper part and near the projection of a cross-stone lying in the font:

[Խաչս] Փարին ... / Ոհմին, / ρվ(հն): ՈՇԴ (1655):

transl.: *This Cross [stands] for Par ... Rim. In the year 1655.*

Published for the first time.

Incised into one of the faces of a cross-stone lying in the southern niche of the bema:

U(ηρ)ρ խ(ω)չս փ(ρ)կ(η)τρ(հտ) ... / ρ(վ)ս
ՈՄԹ (1760):

transl.: *May this Holy Cross save ... in the year 1760.*

Published for the first time.

A single semi-distorted line in the Armenian original inscribed on the cornice of a cross-stone set in the eastern wall of the northern vestry, near the window:

[U(ηρ)ρ խաչս]ս ρω(η)ս)խ(աս) [է] ... Պաղ[հն]:

transl.: *May this Holy Cross protect ... Pagh.*

Published for the first time.

Note: The inscription dates back to the 17th century.

Engraved on the cornice of a khachkar lying in the southern niche of the bema:

Խաչս Ասլին ե...:

transl.: *This Cross [stands] for Asel ...*

Published for the first time.

Note: The inscription dates back to the 17th century.

Carved on a khachkar set in the south of the bema:

U(ηρ)ρ խաչս:

transl.: *This Holy Cross.*

Published for the first time.

Note: The inscription dates back to the 17th century.

Incised into a cross-stone lying in the northern niche of the southern sacristy:

[Uηρρ] խ(ω)չ(υ) ρ(ωρ)խ(ω)ս Նէր(է)ին:

transl.: *May this Holy Cross protect Nerses.*

Published for the first time.

Note: The inscription dates back to the 17th century.

Carved on a cross-stone set in the window of the southern sacristy:

U(ηρ)ρ խաչս Գիրանի:

transl.: *This Holy Cross [stands] for Gyukan.*

Published for the first time.

Note: The inscription dates back to the 17th century.

Inscribed on another cross-stone lying opposite the aforementioned one:

U(ηρ)ρ խաչս Խ(ե)չում/հն է:

transl.: *This Holy Cross [stands] for Khechum.*

Published for the first time.

Note: The inscription dates back to the 17th century.

A single, partly distorted line in the Armenian original engraved on the cornice of a cross-stone lying in the southern niche of the southern sacristy:

U(ηρ)ρ խ(ω)չս S... նին, Սս[ρ]եան[հն]:

transl.: *This Holy Cross [stands] for... [and] Marean.*

Published for the first time.

Note: The inscription dates back to the 17th century.

A single line in the Armenian original carved on the cornice of a khachkar inwardly set in the eastern wall of the bema, near the window:

U(ηρ)ρ խ(ω)չս ρ(ե)շρ(ω)ն(հն), U(ω)η(ե)-կ(հ)ն է:

transl.: *This Holy Cross [stands] for Beshkan [and] Sarek.*

Published for the first time.

Note: The inscription dates back to the 17th century.

Engraved on a cross-stone lying in the western wall of the vestry, south of the bema:

[Uηρρ խաչս] ρարէխ(աւ)ս է Խաբունի:

transl.: *May this Holy Cross protect Khatun.*

Published for the first time.

Note: The inscription dates back to the 17th century.

Carved on a khachkar set in the window of the bema:

[Uηρρ խաչ]ս Դաս...[հ]ն, Ծ...:

transl.: *This Holy Cross [stands] for...*

Published for the first time.

Note: The inscription dates back to the 17th century.

Inscribed on a khachkar placed near the window of the bema:

U(ηρ)ρ խաչս Խ(ω)ն(η)մին եւ Զ(ω)լս(ω)նի:

transl.: *This Holy Cross [stands] for Khanum and Zalkhan.*

Published for the first time.

Note: The inscription dates back to the 17th century.

Engraved on another cross-stone adjoining the aforementioned one:

U(ηρ)ρ խ(ω)չս ρ(ωρ)խ(ω)ս Ավանէսի(ն):

transl.: *May this Holy Cross protect Avanes.*

Published for the first time.

Note: The inscription dates back to the 17th century.

The Soviet authorities closed Sourb Astvatzatzin Church in 1928.<fnref n="548" />

Among **the local priests**, mention is made of *Simon Ter-Yeghiazariants*, who served Jagir between 1832 and 1861, also working as the spiritual shepherd of Garnaker Village.<fnref n="549" />

<footnote n="548">548 National Archives of Armenia, fund 409, list 1, file 2658, p. 12.</footnote>

<footnote n="549">549 Idem, file 3833, pp. 134-135; file 3835, pp. 148-149.</footnote>
<figure><img src="image_745.png" /><figcaption>JAGIR. An obelisk found in the older part of the village cemetery</figcaption></figure>

In 1908 Hovhannes Ter-Yeghiazariants performed priestly duties for the local parish.<fnref n="550" />

Jagir's **old and new cemeteries** that have merged into one another extend at the northern end of the village. The part of the earliest burials retains an inscribed memorial (220 x 48 x 35 centimetres) dating back to 1593. Its west-directed face bears some simple cross reliefs, with the following epitaphs incised into its east- and north-directed facets respectively:

Ես պ(ա)րոն Ղոր|խմաք, Բշի/պաթս կ(ա)նկ(նե)ց|ի... խ(ա)չս հա(ւ)րն եւ մո|րն մ(ե)րոյ:

transl.: Beshipat and I, Mr. Ghorkhmaz, erected...
this cross in memory of our father and mother.

<figure><img src="image_746.png" /></figure>

U(ուր)ք խ(ա)չս ք/(ա)րէխաւս | Սիրքայ աղին, | քւ(ին) ՈԽք (1593):

transl.: May this Holy Cross protect Mirza Agha. In the year 1593.

The Armenian original published in: **Karapetian, S.** The Historical Monuments of Northern Artsakh, p. 6.

Jagir has a functioning **spring** built in 1900 and engraved with the following inscription:

Հիշատակ: (Կ)արա/քէղ եւ որդի Գրի/գոր Բաղիեանց, | 1900 ամի:

transl.: In memory of Karapet and his son Grigor Baghiants. 1900.

The Armenian original published in: **Karapetian, S.**, ibid.

The territory of the village also retains some pilgrimage sites.

<footnote n="550">550 National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 817, p. 7.</footnote>
<figure><img src="image_747.png" /><figcaption>JAGIR. Specimens of applied art</figcaption></figure>

## JELHAN

We failed to find out the exact location of this village, but a small number of archive documents mention it together with the villages of Bada, Krzen and Chardakhlu; therefore, Jelhan, that was stripped of its Armenian population in the second half of the 19th century, must be, or must have been, situated somewhere in their neighbourhood.

The available scanty statistical data concerning the number of its residents are as follows:

<table><thead><tr><td>Year</td><td>Houses</td><td>Males</td><td>Females</td><td>Total</td></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1841<sup>551</sup></td><td>35</td><td>21</td><td></td><td>56</td></tr><tr><td>1853<sup>552</sup></td><td>16</td><td>13</td><td></td><td>29</td></tr></tbody></table>

## KAMANDAR

**Location.** The village lies 25 kilometres west of the district centre, at an altitude of 1,200 to 1,320 metres above sea level.

**A Historical Introduction.** The monuments surviving in the territory of Kamandar, whose historical name has sunk into oblivion, trace it back to at least the Middle Ages.

Most presumably, it shared the fate of the other villages of the region and was stripped of its population in the 1770s, the local people moving to

Shulaver: “Apparently, *Kamandar*, part of whose inhabitants now live in *Shulaver*, used to be a large settlement: present-day Legharak (Bada) residents use its name to refer to several village sites together with a grave-yard.”<fnref n="553" />

An inscribed tombstone preserved in a cemetery in Metz Shulaver perpetuates the memory of one of Kamandar Armenians who found refuge there:

10 lines in the Armenian original engraved on a rectangular gravestone (147 x 73 x 25 centimetres):

Այս է տապան Գրիգո/բի, որ է որդի Յարու-բին, / մայրն տրա Սամաի եւ / եղպայր Ըստե-փանի կամ / Յակօբի, սա է կեղծէն / Քաման-ղարի, թվ(ի)ն ՈՒԽԷ (1798) / հրնքերցորդ որ հան/տպի մէկ պէրան Ա(ստուա)ծ ողո/բմի ասի, Ա(ստուա)ծ ծնողա/ց ողորմի:

transl.: In this grave reposes Grigor, the son of Harutiun and Sama and the brother of Stepan or Hakob from Kamandar Village. In the year 1798. May you who read this pray for his parents and his soul.

Published for the first time.

The village site of Kamandar revived in the early 20th century thanks to 30 families from Bada.<fnref n="554" />

<footnote n="551">551 National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3802.</footnote>

<footnote n="552">552 Idem, file 2743, pp. 102-103.</footnote>

<footnote n="553">553 **S. Kamalian** Fund, copy-book No. 1, VI-11, p. 8.</footnote>

<footnote n="554">554 National Archives of Armenia, fund 57, list 2, file 2139, pp. 2-3.</footnote>
**The Village Lands.** According to a visitor who travelled in Kamandar between 1906 and 1907, it “...was surrounded by vast arable lands, so-called Archimandrite Lands, once belonging to Khoranashat Monastery but at present under state control. Extending up to the royal forest of Kalkar in one direction, they merge into a large plain in the other: the latter retains some ancient cemeteries and chapels amidst which a thick, centuries-old oak-tree of rich foliage stands as a pilgrimage destination for Bada inhabitants.”<fnref n="555" />

**Apostasy.** The unspeakable persecution and the clergymen's indifference to the village in general, intertwined with a number of other factors, eventually aroused some tendency of apostasy among Kamandar's population. The desperate Armenians voluntarily applied to the Georgian Exarch with a petition to be converted to the Georgian Orthodox faith. On 22 July 1913 Gandzak's vicar informed Catholicos of All Armenians Gevorg V about that painful fact, particularly stating that “...the reasons that had forced them into resorting to that step included the shortage of lands, the social pressure, heavy taxation, as well as the absence of a school and a church.”<fnref n="556" />

In 1986 the village had a population of 40 houses, including more than 100 inhabitants.<fnref n="557" />

Kamandar was stripped of its residents in the aftermath of the deportation between 1988 and 1989.

Three medieval cemeteries, preserved in the village, are of great importance from the standpoint of the study of its history. The surviving cross-stones trace its existence to at least the period between the 9th and 11th centuries.

The oldest of the grave-yards, which is located in the southeast of Kamandar, retains some densely-lying graves with undressed vertical rock slabs bare of any epitaphs. Their west-directed faces bear reliefs of simple, old-styled crosses typical of the aforementioned period.

<figure><img src="image_748.png" /></figure>

<figure><img src="image_749.png" /><figcaption>KAMANDAR. Fragment of a khachkar (12th cent.), and a khachkar (1672)</figcaption></figure>

Another large cemetery, extending in the east of the village, comprises a number of finely-decorated cross-stones dating back to the period between the 10th and 17th centuries. Some of them are engraved with epitaphs which are presented below:

A single line in the Armenian original carved on the lower part of a cross-stone standing at the western end of the cemetery (its western face bears a cross relief):

ԹՎ(Հ) ՆԽԳ (994):

transl.: *In the year 994.*

The Armenian original published in: **Karpetian, S.** The Historical Monuments of Northern Artsakh, p. 6.

3 semi-distorted lines in the Armenian original incised into the cornice and near the upper cross wing of a khachkar standing in the central part of the cemetery:

[Խ]ա(չ)ս քա(ք)է(խ)ա(տ)ս .../[Կ]ողակցին
Φ(ա)քիզ...ի ... Վ.../[ք]վ ՈՒԻԱ (1672):

<footnote n="555">555 **Kajberuny**, idem, p. 228. A record of 1890 states the following about this sacred site, "South of Keshish oghli, Khachyal was located. Riding our horses in that direction, ... we saw a huge oak-tree with splendid branches, its trunk exceeding seven arshins. Nobody dared cut a single branch off that holy tree; that is why, some immense branches that resembled logs were rotting underneath, torn off by the storm. The tree, which was a place of pilgrimage for the inhabitants of Legharak, was surrounded by some old graves, remains of fires as well as countless legs and feathers of sacrificed roosters squeezed into its tough bark and clefts. In a slightly elevated area west of it, its sister was said to be buried: allegedly, both of them suffered martyrdom in earlier times.
"The remains of a chapel were still preserved in that place. Leaving the tremendous oak-tree behind, we descended towards the rock of Aghaj Ghala where lay a Turkish encampment overlooking the gorge. Opposite Aghaj Ghala rose Mount Choban Seghnakh, at the northern skirts of which could be found a chapel..." (S. **Kamalian** Fund, copy-book No. 1, VI-11, p. 10).</footnote>

<footnote n="556">556 National Archives of Armenia, fund 57, list 2, file 2139, pp. 2-3.</footnote>

<footnote n="557">557 As attested by the Village Council.</footnote>
transl.: May this Cross protect ...Paris' spouse ...1672.

The Armenian original published in: **Karapetian, S.**, ibid.

Preserved on the upper fragment of a cross-stone:

Սուրբ Գրիչորլիս վասն...

transl.: St. Grigores...

The Armenian original published in: **Karapetian, S.**, ibid.

The third, i.e. northern cemetery of the village is situated on a mountain slope.

The neighbourhood of Kamandar is rich in a great variety of **monuments and ancient sites** dating back to different periods. The only topographer to have visited them is philologist S. Kamalian, whose unpublished manuscript contains their descriptions together with the decipherings of all the inscriptions he found there. The work he carried out is of immense significance not only for the history of Kamandar but also for that of the entire region. Below follow his records of the village:

1. On the road leading from Bada to Kamandar, “...on the other side...” of Shamkor Gorge, “...the lair of Ojagh Ghuli is situated, with a canal flowing above it in the gorge: the latter is under Legharak inhabitants’ control.

“On an elevation in the area between Ojagh Ghuli and Kendivan, another village site at present uninhabited, a semi-ruined chapel called Santruk can be seen, animals being often sacrificed there.

“A thicket a little above it retains some graves, yard sites and a lying cross-stone, 2.5 arshins long and 2 arshins wide, with its year distorted. The territory above the thicket contains a spate of big and small khachkars, both lying and standing, which are not dated.

“A cart-road leads from Santruk to Kendivan: the latter, which comprises some ruined house sites and a cemetery of old blocks of stone, is inhabited by several families from Legharak who are not able to convey farming tools, as well as carts and bunches of grass from one village to another. A ghobi (?) extends in the direction of the gorge, right kran (?) of Boz Aghbyur: it retains a grave-yard...”⁵⁸⁸

One of the cross-stones preserved in the aforementioned cemetery was engraved with the following inscription:

Մի խաչս քարեխոս է Ամիրայի և կողակցին
Փարին... քվ ՈՇ (1651):

transl.: May this Holy Cross protect Amira and his spouse Par... in the year 1651.

Reference: **S. Kamalian** Fund, copy-book No. 1, VI-11, p. 8.

2. “The main village site in the neighbourhood of Kamandar is Kendivan, with a spring at its beginning: its population once inhabited both slopes of the gorge. ...It also has a thoroughly reconstructed church of a wooden roof and a small door, with all its cross-stones gathered together.”<fnref n="559" />

Some of the aforementioned khachkars bore inscriptions which are presented below:

Ս(ուրբ) խաչս քարեխոս է Սարգիս, Դաս-ստան, Հազարվանի կողակցին:

transl.: May this Holy Cross protect Sargis, Dastan [and] Ghazarvan's spouse.

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

Ս(ուրբ) խաչս քարեխոս է Թակոր(ին), Մաս-սոս(ին), Ծահնազարին, քվ(ին) ՈՇԱ (1652):

transl.: May this Holy Cross protect Thamar, Zata Bajji [and] Shahnazar. In the year 1652.

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

Ս(ուրբ) խաչս քարեխոս է Յակոր(ին), Մաս-սոս(ին), ...սին կողակցին Թեզային, ք(վին) ՈՇԱ (1652):

transl.: May this Holy Cross protect Hakob, Matos and ...spouse Teza. In the year 1652.

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

3. “...north-west...” of the village site of Kendivan, “...a road leads to the top of a hill along which some graves, lying in moss, can be seen. According to Legharak inhabitants, this site, called Keshish Oghli Hangstaran, belongs to Kamandar. I copied all the epitaphs I found there one by one...”<fnref n="560" />

“...It is so called due to the fact that two priests, a man and his son, are buried here.”<fnref n="561" />

Below follow the epitaphs of the grave-yard:

Engraved on a tombstone:

Այս է տապան Աալին, քվ. ՈՇԳ (1654) ին:

transl.: In this grave reposes Aval. In the year 1654.

Reference: **S. Kamalian** Fund, copy-book No. 1, VI-11, p. 10.

Carved on a tombstone:

Այս է տապան ղարամուրացի Իսկանդարի որդ... ոխպին, որ վոխեցակ կեանս վերին, քվ. ՈՇԻ (1771):

transl.: In this grave reposes... of Iskandar from Gharamurat. He departed to heaven in the year 1771.

Reference: **S. Kamalian** Fund, copy-book No. 1, VI-11, p. 9.

<footnote n="558">558 **S. Kamalian** Fund, copy-book No. 1, VI-11, p. 8.</footnote>

<footnote n="559">559 Idem, pp. 8, 9.</footnote>

<footnote n="560">560 Idem, p. 9.</footnote>

<footnote n="561">561 Idem, p. 10.</footnote>
Incised into a tombstone:

Այս է տապան... իմ ... խին, որ է Թո... Ծհապագին, փոխեցաւ քվին ՈՄԺԳ (1664):

transl.: In this grave reposes... my ... Shahpaş [who] died in the year 1664.

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

Inscribed on a tombstone:

Այս է տապան Մարիամին, որ է դուստր Սարգսին, քվ. ՈՇԻ (1671):

transl.: In this grave reposes Mariam, who is the daughter of Sargis. In the year 1671.

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

Engraved on a tombstone:

Այս է տապան դարամուրատեցի Դուլապան լուսահոգի տէր Սարգսին, որ է որդի տէր Ոհանին, ՈՄԺԷ (1768) քվին:

transl.: In this grave reposes Father Sargis Dulkariants of blessed memory from Gharamurat. He is the son of Father Uhan. In the year 1768.

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

Carved on a tombstone:

Ղարամուրատեցի լուսահոգի ...քոս տէր Ղազարի որ ... ՈՄԺԷ (1768):

transl.: ...Priest Ghazar of blessed memory from Gharamurat... 1768.

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

Incised into a tombstone:

Այս է տապան կորլսցի մելիք Հախնագրի դուստր Խալվին. Հայն ՈՄԺԷ (1768):

transl.: In this grave reposes Khalva, the daughter of Melik Hakhnazar from Korkh. 1768 of the Armenian era.

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

Inscribed on a tombstone:

Այս է տապան դարամուրատեցի Կիրակոսին, որ փոխեցաւ ի կեանս վերին, ՈՄԻ (1771) քվին:

transl.: In this grave reposes Kirakos from Gharamurat, who departed to heaven in the year 1771.

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

Incised into a gravestone bearing a relief of sun rays:

Այս է տապան Ավալի կողակից Նազուխան:

transl.: In this grave reposes Aval's spouse Nazlukhan.

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

Engraved on a tombstone bearing a relief of a club with one of its ends bended:

Յիշատակ է այս տապանս Աւալի որդի Պապասին, երդարք էին, որ Ած. փոխեցաւ, ով որ կարդա ողորմի ասի, քվ. ՈՇԿԳ (1714):

transl.: In this grave reposes Aval's son Papas... May those who read this pray for his soul. In the year 1714.

Reference: **S. Kamalian** Fund, copy-book No. 1, VI-11, p. 10.

Incised into a tombstone "crashed to pieces...":

Թվ. ՈՄԻ (1771):

transl.: In the year 1771.

Reference: **S. Kamalian** Fund, copy-book No. 1, VI-11, p. 9.

Engraved on a gravestone representing "a small stone":

Ար. խաչ տապան Զոհրապին:

transl.: In this... grave [reposes] Zohrap.

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

Inscribed on another tombstone representing "a small stone":

Սեհրարինը է:

transl.: To Mehrab.

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

A gorge lying about 2 kilometres north-east of Kandar retains a spring called Pekhakats (Jahjaghbyur). It is decorated by a finely-carved cross-stone bearing an incomplete inscription:

Incised left of the lower wing of the main cross:

ՊԲ (1353) թ(ի)/ս ... լրաց / ելարար:

transl.: In the year 1353...

Published for the first time.

## KASUM-ISMAYILOV (GHARA-ARKH)

The village is situated 21 kilometres east of the district centre, at an altitude of 208 to 210 metres above sea level.

It was founded in the late 19th century by some Turkish cattle-breeders who had changed to a sedentary life. In 1977 it had 1,282 residents.<fnref n="562" />

## KOLKHOZKEND

**Location.** The village, dating from the Soviet years, is situated in a plain lying within 2 kilometres of the right bank of the river Zakam, 14 kilometres northwest of the district centre, at an altitude of 270 to 280 metres above sea level.

A village site called Chugunlu is located 3 kilometres north-west of Kolkhozkend. In the late 19th century, it belonged to eight Turkish landowners.<fnref n="563" />

Below follow the available statistical data regarding the number of the local population:

<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>564</sup></td><td>99</td><td>232</td><td>149</td><td>381</td></tr><tr><td>1914<sup>565</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>521</td></tr></tbody></table>

<footnote n="562">562 SAE, vol. 3, p. 80.</footnote>

<footnote n="563">563 National Archives of Armenia, fund 93, list 1, file 388, pp. 13-14.</footnote>

<footnote n="564">564 A Statistical Survey..., pp. 78-79.</footnote>

<footnote n="565">565 Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 208.</footnote>
## KOMSOMOL

The village, which bears the name of the Young Communists' Union ('Komsomol' is a Russian abbreviation for 'Коммунистический Союз МолоДЕЖИ'), is situated 18 kilometres east of the district centre, at an altitude of 255 to 260 metres above sea level.

It was founded in the Soviet years.

## KOSALAR (MESHADIHUSEINLI)

**Location.** The village is situated 8 kilometres north-east of the district centre, at an altitude of 260 to 270 metres above sea level.

It was founded in the early 20th century by some Turkish herdsmen who were members of the tribe of Kechili.

## KYONYULLYU

This village, founded in the Soviet years, extends 19 kilometres southeast of the district centre, at an altitude of 270 to 290 metres above sea level.

## LEGHAN

The village, whose exact location is unknown, is mentioned in the available bibliographical sources by the names of Leghan and Gheghan.<fnref n="566" />

The first record containing a reference to it is the colophon of a manuscript copied in Haghpat Monastery (in present-day Lori Marz of the Republic of Armenia) in 1441 ("...Leghan's *Sourb Nshan*<fnref n="567" />...").<fnref n="568" />

The village is mentioned as a scriptorium between the 15th and 16th centuries. Two manuscripts, dating back to that period, have come down to us:

1. *A Gospel* (15th century) copied by Coenbite Stepanos for a certain hermit named Sahak: "...in Leghan's *Sourb Astvatzatzin* (Gandzak District) under Bishop Stepanos, Catholicos Hovhannes, Khan Jahanshah and Georgian King Gorki."<fnref n="569" />

2. *A Book of Fables* copied by scribe Yesayi in 1650: "...in Gheghan's *Sourb Astvatzatzin* (where Celibate Priest Hovhannes served), Shamkur<fnref n="570" /> District..."<fnref n="571" />

## LENINABAD

This Turkish village lies 10 kilometres east of the district centre, at an altitude of 180 to 190 metres above sea level.

It dates back to the Soviet years.

## LENINKEND (GEORGIEVSK, GEORGSFELD, LENINFELD)

**Location.** The village is situated on the right bank of the river Shamkor, 10 kilometres southeast of the district centre, at an altitude of 410 to 430 metres above sea level.

**A Historical Introduction.** It was founded in 1887: in 1912 the 25th anniversary of its establishment was celebrated with great solemnity.<fnref n="572" />

Renamed Leninkend in 1942,<fnref n="573" /> the village was granted the status of township in 1962.<fnref n="574" />

**Construction Activity.** In 1912 a visitor wrote the following in connection with the 25th anniversary of the foundation of Leninkend, "...its houses with their roofs, yards and even verandas give it the appearance of a purely German village. In many of them you can even see an accordion, the carpets, a necessary part of furnishing, being the only reminder that you are in an Asian village. ...The colonists are members of the Lutheran church: they have their own church statutes, and divine service is held in accordance with the ritual they have brought with them from their homeland..."<fnref n="575" />

**Population.** A colony established by some German immigrants, Leninfeld represented a German settlement until 1941. After its founders had been banished, it was re-populated by some Azerbaijanians from different parts of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

After the deportation of several Armenian families inhabiting Leninkend until 1988, the former German colony turned into a purely Turkish village.

Below follow the available statistical data regarding the number of the local population:

<table><thead><tr><td>Year</td><td>Houses</td><td>Males</td><td>Females</td><td>Total</td></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1908</td><td>576</td><td></td><td></td><td>757</td></tr><tr><td>1912</td><td>577</td><td></td><td></td><td>750</td></tr><tr><td>1914</td><td>578</td><td></td><td></td><td>151</td></tr></tbody></table>

**Archaeological Monuments.** In 1899 E. Resler unearthed and excavated 9 tombs in the area, the archaeological finds dating from the period between the Bronze and Iron Ages.<fnref n="579" />

<footnote n="566">566 The name of Gheghan may be a misprint of the word *Leghan*.</footnote>

<footnote n="567">567 'Sourb Nshan' is how the Armenians refer to the Holy Cross.</footnote>

<footnote n="568">568 Colophons, 15th century, vol. 1, p. 514.</footnote>

<footnote n="569">569 Colophons, 15th century, vol. 2, p. 246. **Voskian, H.** The Monasteries of Artsakh. In: "Handes Amsorea," August to October 1951, p. 342. Taking into account the period of time during which the people mentioned in the colophon lived (Georgian King Georgi VIII - 1446 to 1466; Jahanshah - 1437 to 1467, and Catholicos of Aghvank Hovhannes - 1441 to 1470), L. Khachikian traces the manuscript back to the year 1466 (Colophons, 15th century, vol. 2, p. 245).</footnote>

<footnote n="570">570 Another version of the name of Shamkor.</footnote>

<footnote n="571">571 Colophons, 17th century, vol. 3, p. 409.</footnote>

<footnote n="572">572 "Taraz," 1912, No. 11, p. 192.</footnote>

<footnote n="573">573 The Azerbaijanian SSR: Administrative-Territorial Division, p. 211.</footnote>

<footnote n="574">574 SAE, vol. 6, p. 194.</footnote>

<footnote n="575">575 "Taraz," 1912, No. 11, p. 192.</footnote>

<footnote n="576">576 Caucasian Calendar for 1910, p. 223.</footnote>

<footnote n="577">577 Ibid.</footnote>

<footnote n="578">578 Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 109.</footnote>

<footnote n="579">579 Resler, *E.*, op. cit., in: "Kavkaz," p. 2.</footnote>
## LYAZGILYAR

In the Soviet years, the village was within the jurisdiction of the Village Council of Plankend (Kechili).

## MAHMUDLU (TAKNALI)

**Location.** The village is situated on the right bank of the river Shamkor, 12 kilometres north-east of the district centre, at an altitude of 250 to 275 metres above sea level.

**A Historical Introduction.** Taknali, having a sedentary population of Shiah Muslims in the 17th century, belonged to landowner Musakhan Shamkhorski together with the villages of Dallyar, Okhchulu and Jeyranchyol in the late 19th century.<fnref n="580" />

The available statistical data regarding 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>1804<sup>581</sup></td><td>22</td><td>48</td><td>54</td><td>102</td></tr><tr><td>1886<sup>582</sup></td><td>101</td><td>481</td><td>294</td><td>775</td></tr><tr><td>1981<sup>583</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>2,232</td></tr></tbody></table>

The historical monuments preserved in Mahmudlu include a 17th-century mosque and the remains of a medieval bridge. The latter formerly lay over the river Shamkor, in the vicinity of the village.

## MAMEDALILAR (GHAPANLI)

**Location.** This once Armenian-inhabited village lies 17 kilometres north-east of the district centre, at an altitude of 200 to 210 metres above sea level.

**A Historical Introduction.** Visiting it in the early 1890s, Barkhutariants described it in the following way, "...The largeness of the village site, whose length amounts to about a mile, suggests that it used to be a village town, densely planted with aspens, nut- and other aged trees. Its ancient dwellings are built of brick blocks, each of them 40 centimetres long and 9 centimetres thick. The digging carried out there has unearthed some ancient jugs, pitchers, other clay vessels, fragments of brick, as well as silver and copper coins. It remains vague what the present-day Turkish inhabitants of this originally Armenian village have done with the stones of the local churches and cemeteries..."<fnref n="584" />

**Population.** In 1804 Mamedalilar comprised 16 Armenian houses with 55 inhabitants (29 males and 26 females), and 11 Turkish ones with 39 residents (20 males and 19 females).<fnref n="585" /> It was stripped of the former after some Turks had taken up residence there. With

this connection, a visitor of the late 19th century writes, "...several local families moved to Gandzak about a hundred years ago."<fnref n="586" />

The statistical registers have preserved the following data regarding the village 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>587</sup></td><td>103</td><td>524</td><td>352</td><td>876</td></tr><tr><td>1914<sup>588</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>1,035</td></tr></tbody></table>

## MARTUNY (NOVO-TRUTSKOYE, GOLITSINO)

**Location.** The village, whose historical name has sunk into oblivion, extends 20 kilometres south-west of the district centre, at an altitude of 1,490 to 1,560 metres above sea level.

**A Historical Introduction.** Undoubtedly, it was stripped of its Armenian inhabitants in the 1770s.

About half a century after the total devastation of the village, some Russian Dukhobors settled down in its site and founded the settlement of Novo-Troitskoye there. In the late 1880s, however, the Russian residents, comprising 22 houses, left the village for the newly-established Kars Marz.<fnref n="589" />

In August 1899 on the initiative of Caucasian Vice-roy Golitsin, 36 families of Orthodox Russians from Chernigov Region resettled in Novo-Troitskoye and renamed it Golitsino in honour of the aforementioned high-ranking official.<fnref n="590" />

The only settlement of Orthodox Russians throughout Yelizavetpol Province, Golitsino enjoyed great support on the part of the Tsarist Government. Each of the local families was allocated 3 dessiatinas of garden-plot and 35 dessiatinas of arable land, the poor ones also receiving a one-time living allowance of a 100 rubles.<fnref n="591" />

The available statistical data regarding the local population between the late 19th and early 20th centuries 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>592</sup></td><td>36</td><td>101</td><td>113</td><td>214</td></tr><tr><td>1894<sup>593</sup></td><td>40</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1901<sup>594</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>416</td></tr><tr><td>1907<sup>595</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>261</td></tr></tbody></table>

<footnote n="580">580 National Archives of Armenia, fund 93, list 1, file 388, pp. 13-14.</footnote>

<footnote n="581">581 Collected Acts..., vol. 2, p. 596.</footnote>

<footnote n="582">582 A Statistical Survey..., pp. 82-83.</footnote>

<footnote n="583">583 SAE, vol. 6, p. 396.</footnote>

<footnote n="584">584 Barkhutariants, M., idem, p. 54.</footnote>

<footnote n="585">585 Collected Acts..., vol. 2, p. 596.</footnote>

<footnote n="586">586 Barkhutariants, M., ibid.</footnote>

<footnote n="587">587 A Statistical Survey..., pp. 82-83.</footnote>

<footnote n="588">588 Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 133.</footnote>

<footnote n="589">589 Abelov, N. A., idem, p. 21.</footnote>

<footnote n="590">590 Jasha, II. The Russian Village in Yelizavetpol Province. In: "Kavkaz," 1900, No. 285, p. 3, in Russian.</footnote>

<footnote n="591">591 Ibid.</footnote>

<footnote n="592">592 A Statistical Survey..., pp. 86-87 (including an Armenian house with 3 inhabitants).</footnote>

<footnote n="593">593 "Ardzagank," 1894, No. 104, p. 2.</footnote>

<footnote n="594">594 Dictionary of Toponymy of Armenia and Adjacent Territories, vol. 3, Yerevan, 1991, p. 742.</footnote>

<footnote n="595">595 Caucasian Calendar for 1910, p. 227.</footnote>
<figure><img src="image_750.png" /></figure>

<figure><img src="image_751.png" /><figcaption>MARTUNY seen from the south; partial views of the village</figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="image_752.png" /></figure>

1908⁵⁹⁶

286

1914⁵⁹⁷

743

The Orthodox Russians abandoned Golitsino in 1918 and resettled in North Caucasia. In the first years of the Soviet rule, some Armenians from Ghazakhashen (Ghazakh-Getabek), Pib, Barsum, Barum, Jagir and Chardakhlu took up residence in the village and renamed it first Ghazakhashen and later (in 1926) Martuny in memory of Alexandre Miasnikian.<fnref n="598" /> During that period, it was within the jurisdiction of the Village Councils of Jagir and Spitakashen.

During our visit to Martuny in 1985, it had 312 Armenian inhabitants and a school attended by a small number of pupils.

The local Armenians were obliged to leave their houses during the deportation of 1988. They found refuge in the sub-district of Karmir in Gegharkunik Marz of the Republic of Armenia.

In September 1900, King Nikolai II allocated 5,000 rubles to the village for the purpose of building a church and a school there, another 3,000 rubles being provided by the Ministry of the Interior Affairs.<fnref n="599" /> By 1901 the plan and estimate of expenditures of the construction of the future church had already been worked out. "On 22 April the Caucasian vice-roy, Prince Golitsin, accompanied by the Governor of Gandzak and other dignitaries, arrived at the village of Russian immigrants, Golitsina, where he himself laid the foundations of the future church, donating one thousand rubles for that purpose..."<fnref n="600" />

The construction of the school started in 1901 and was completed in 1911.

The historical monuments preserved in Martuny include a cemetery lying in the ancient site of Balucha, about 6 kilometres north-west of the village. It also retains another grave-yard and a village site called Gyunash-Arevashen Pkategher and situated a kilometre north-west of it.

<footnote n="596">⁵⁹⁶ Idem, p. 336.</footnote>

<footnote n="597">⁵⁹⁷ Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 166.</footnote>

<footnote n="598">⁵⁹⁸ Dictionary of Toponymy of Armenia and Adjacent Territories, vol. 3, p. 742.</footnote>

<footnote n="599">⁵⁹⁹ **Jasha, Il.**, idem, p. 3.</footnote>

<footnote n="600">⁶⁰⁰ "Mshak," 1901, No. 90, p. 2.</footnote>
<figure><img src="image_753.png" /></figure>

<figure><img src="image_754.png" /></figure>

<figure><img src="image_755.png" /></figure>

<figure><img src="image_756.png" /><figcaption>MARTUNY. The local Russian church seen from the north-west and south-west; the 2nd floor of its belfry, and the school house erected in 1911</figcaption></figure>

## MEHRALI

The village, which dates back to the Soviet years, is situated on the right bank of the river Shamkor, 13 kilometres south of the district centre, at an altitude of 530 to 580 metres above sea level.

## MISKINLI

The village extends on the left bank of the river Shamkor, 8 kilometres east of the district centre, at an altitude of 325 to 335 metres above sea level.

The present-day Turkish village was established in the early 20th century by some stock-breeders who had shifted to a sedentary life.

## MUKHTARIYAT

The village is located on the left bank of the river Shamkor, 7 kilometres east of the district centre, at an altitude of 335 to 360 metres above sea level.

The present-day Turkish village was founded at the beginning of the 20th century.

## NIZAMI

This village, founded in the Soviet years, is situated 13 kilometres east of the district centre, at an altitude of 300 to 315 metres above sea level.

## NUKZAR

(NEWSGER, NEWKZAR, NUNGUZAR)

**Location.** Nukzar is situated in an elevated plain lying on the right bank of the river Shamkor, 17 kilometres southeast of the district centre, at an altitude of 1,340 to 1,410 metres above sea level.

**Population.** The local Armenians were the former inhabitants of Kanaker, Jatgheran (nowadays Geghshen Village in Aragatzotn Marz of the Republic of Armenia) and Jerviz Villages of Yerevan Khanate who took up residence in this village at the beginning of the 19th century.<fnref n="601" />

The analysis of the available statistical data regarding the local population (they date back to the '40s of the 19th century) reveal that on the whole, their number continually grew in the period between the 19th century and the establishment of the Soviet rule:

<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Houses</th><th>Males</th><th>Females</th><th>Total</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1845<sup>602</sup></td><td></td><td>70</td><td>75</td><td>145</td></tr><tr><td>1847<sup>603</sup></td><td></td><td>72</td><td>73</td><td>145</td></tr><tr><td>1849<sup>604</sup></td><td></td><td>103</td><td>99</td><td>202</td></tr><tr><td>1850<sup>605</sup></td><td>36</td><td>106</td><td>107</td><td>213</td></tr><tr><td>1852<sup>606</sup></td><td></td><td>114</td><td>111</td><td>225</td></tr><tr><td>1861<sup>607</sup></td><td>28</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1866<sup>608</sup></td><td>37</td><td>173</td><td>117</td><td>290</td></tr></tbody></table>

<footnote n="601">601 Barkhutariants, M., idem, p. 294; Lalayan, Yer, idem, pp. 324-325.</footnote>

<footnote n="602">602 National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3811, pp. 5-6.</footnote>

<footnote n="603">603 Idem, file 3814, pp. 97-98.</footnote>

<footnote n="604">604 Idem, file 3818, pp. 97-98.</footnote>

<footnote n="605">605 National Archives of Armenia, fund 56, list 1, file 2596, p. 111.</footnote>

<footnote n="606">606 Idem, file 3819, pp. 106-107.</footnote>

<footnote n="607">607 Idem, file 3835, pp. 148-149.</footnote>

<footnote n="608">608 Idem, file 3848, p. 57.</footnote>
<table><tr><td>1870<sup>609</sup></td><td></td><td>183</td><td>125</td><td>308</td></tr><tr><td>1872<sup>610</sup></td><td></td><td>253</td><td>150</td><td>403</td></tr><tr><td>1874<sup>611</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>365</td></tr><tr><td>1875<sup>612</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>373</td></tr><tr><td>1876<sup>613</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>385</td></tr><tr><td>1877<sup>614</sup></td><td></td><td>256</td><td>142</td><td>398</td></tr><tr><td>1878<sup>615</sup></td><td></td><td>249</td><td>143</td><td>392</td></tr><tr><td>1880<sup>616</sup></td><td></td><td>253</td><td>150</td><td>403</td></tr><tr><td>1881<sup>617</sup></td><td></td><td>253</td><td>159</td><td>412</td></tr><tr><td>1882<sup>618</sup></td><td></td><td>261</td><td>161</td><td>422</td></tr><tr><td>1883<sup>619</sup></td><td></td><td>268</td><td>166</td><td>434</td></tr><tr><td>1885<sup>620</sup></td><td>60</td><td>235</td><td>195</td><td>430</td></tr><tr><td>1886<sup>621</sup></td><td>76</td><td>301</td><td>261</td><td>562</td></tr><tr><td>1887<sup>622</sup></td><td></td><td>254</td><td>322</td><td>576</td></tr><tr><td>1888<sup>623</sup></td><td></td><td>270</td><td>328</td><td>598</td></tr><tr><td>1889<sup>624</sup></td><td></td><td>288</td><td>343</td><td>631</td></tr><tr><td>1890<sup>625</sup></td><td></td><td>297</td><td>349</td><td>646</td></tr><tr><td>1891<sup>626</sup></td><td></td><td>313</td><td>360</td><td>673</td></tr><tr><td>1892<sup>627</sup></td><td></td><td>314</td><td>368</td><td>682</td></tr><tr><td>1893<sup>628</sup></td><td></td><td>324</td><td>379</td><td>703</td></tr><tr><td>1894<sup>629</sup></td><td></td><td>332</td><td>389</td><td>721</td></tr><tr><td>1895<sup>630</sup></td><td>70</td><td>360</td><td>323</td><td>683</td></tr><tr><td>1897<sup>631</sup></td><td></td><td>370</td><td>420</td><td>790</td></tr><tr><td>1898<sup>632</sup></td><td></td><td>383</td><td>431</td><td>814</td></tr><tr><td>1899<sup>633</sup></td><td></td><td>386</td><td>435</td><td>821</td></tr><tr><td>1900<sup>634</sup></td><td></td><td>394</td><td>441</td><td>835</td></tr><tr><td>1901<sup>635</sup></td><td></td><td>409</td><td>450</td><td>859</td></tr><tr><td>1902<sup>636</sup></td><td></td><td>418</td><td>464</td><td>882</td></tr><tr><td>1905<sup>637</sup></td><td></td><td>425</td><td>463</td><td>888</td></tr><tr><td>1906<sup>638</sup></td><td></td><td>458</td><td>505</td><td>963</td></tr><tr><td>1907<sup>639</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>865</td></tr></table>

<table><tr><td>1908<sup>640</sup></td><td>121</td><td>501</td><td>431</td><td>932</td></tr><tr><td>1909<sup>641</sup></td><td></td><td>443</td><td>462</td><td>905</td></tr><tr><td>1910<sup>642</sup></td><td></td><td>536</td><td>461</td><td>997</td></tr><tr><td>1912<sup>643</sup></td><td></td><td>966</td><td>487</td><td>1,453</td></tr><tr><td>1914<sup>644</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>1,000</td></tr><tr><td>1917<sup>645</sup></td><td>102</td><td></td><td></td><td>1,007</td></tr><tr><td>1982<sup>646</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>608</td></tr></table>

Unfortunately, information concerning the number of Nukzar's population in the Soviet years is rather scanty, but the data of 1982 indicate that on the eve of the deportation (between 1988 and 1989, the local residents were obliged to leave their native village) their number had dropped to 31 houses.<fnref n="647" />

The Armeno-Turkish Fights between 1905 and 1906. Surrounded by Turkish villages in three directions, Nukzar did not escape the enemy attacks. Gr. Vardaniants writes the following in connection with the events of 1906, “At 10 o’clock on 5 January, a Turkish mob amounting to several thousand mounted an offensive against the village. About 40 armed Armenians who were defending Nukzar succeeded in repelling the enemy, who resumed the onslaught with even greater ferocity and larger forces at 5 o’clock on the morning of 8 January. Through the support of 8 armed men from the neighbouring settlement of Chovdar, the Armenians again won the battle that had lasted for 9 hours and 40 minutes. The fighting caused six Armenian fatalities, with another three getting wounded, while the Turks suffered 60 casualties.”<fnref n="648" />

The first record of Nukzar’s parochial school dates back to 1866, when it had a teacher and 34 pupils.<fnref n="649" />

<footnote n="609">609 Idem, file 3857, pp. 49-50.</footnote>

<footnote n="610">610 Idem, file 3872, pp. 62-63. Another statistical source reports 534 inhabitants (idem, file 3859, pp. 161-162).</footnote>

<footnote n="611">611 Idem, file 3864, pp. 41-42.</footnote>

<footnote n="612">612 Idem, file 3866, pp. 45-46.</footnote>

<footnote n="613">613 Idem, file 3868, pp. 57-58.</footnote>

<footnote n="614">614 Idem, file 3869, pp. 54-55.</footnote>

<footnote n="615">615 Idem, file 3870, pp. 23-24.</footnote>

<footnote n="616">616 Idem, file 3872, pp. 30-31.</footnote>

<footnote n="617">617 Idem, file 3873, pp. 27-28.</footnote>

<footnote n="618">618 Idem, file 3874, p. 30.</footnote>

<footnote n="619">619 Idem, file 3875, pp. 56-57.</footnote>

<footnote n="620">620 Idem, file 3877, p. 30. Also see “Ardzagank,” 1885, No. 4, p. 51.</footnote>

<footnote n="621">621 A Statistical Survey..., pp. 76-77. Another source reports 60 houses (“Ardzagank,” 1886, No. 21, p. 308).</footnote>

<footnote n="622">622 National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3880, p. 74.</footnote>

<footnote n="623">623 Idem, file 3882, p. 132.</footnote>

<footnote n="624">624 Idem, file 3884, pp. 228-229.</footnote>

<footnote n="625">625 Idem, file 3887, p. 151.</footnote>

<footnote n="626">626 Idem, file 3889, p. 150.</footnote>

<footnote n="627">627 Idem, file 3891, p.122.</footnote>

<footnote n="628">628 Idem, file 3895, pp. 78-79.</footnote>

<footnote n="629">629 Idem, file 3896, pp. 175-176.</footnote>

<footnote n="630">630 Barkhutariants, M., ibid.</footnote>

<footnote n="631">631 National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3899, pp. 148-149.</footnote>

<footnote n="632">632 Idem, file 3897, p. 170.</footnote>

<footnote n="633">633 Idem, file 3903, pp. 128-129.</footnote>

<footnote n="634">634 Idem, file 3905, pp. 94-95.</footnote>

<footnote n="635">635 Idem, file 3906, pp. 100-101.</footnote>

<footnote n="636">636 Idem, file 3907, pp. 24-25.</footnote>

<footnote n="637">637 Idem, file 3912, pp. 267-268.</footnote>

<footnote n="638">638 Idem, file 3915, p. 24.</footnote>

<footnote n="639">639 Idem, file 240, p. 2.</footnote>

<footnote n="640">640 National Archives of Armenia, fund 35, list 1, file 559, p. 12. According to another statistical source of 1908, the local inhabitants amounted to 932 (Caucasian Calendar for 1910, p. 337).</footnote>

<footnote n="641">641 National Archives of Armenia, fund 56, list 18, file 764, p. 118.</footnote>

<footnote n="642">642 National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3917, pp. 60-61.</footnote>

<footnote n="643">643 Idem, file 3919, pp. 63-64.</footnote>

<footnote n="644">644 Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 167.</footnote>

<footnote n="645">645 Avetissian, M. M., idem, p. 166.</footnote>

<footnote n="646">646 SAE, vol. 7, p. 311.</footnote>

<footnote n="647">647 Khojabekian, V. Artsakh during the Hours of Ordeal. Yerevan, 1991, p. 114, in Armenian.</footnote>

<footnote n="648">648 “Mshak,” 1906, No. 28, p. 1. Also see A-Do, idem, pp. 341-342. Another record states the following regarding the second Turkish offensive, “About three thousand bandits, led by Dali Ali, again attacked Nugzar with the aim of plundering it and slaughtering the local people. They engaged in a fierce battle that lasted from 5 until 11 o’clock in the morning. Despite the Turks’ numerical superiority and various tricks they played, they failed to break into the village, for the Armenians were resisting them persistently and fervently. They only managed to set alight several barns and some piles of grass, but they suffered great losses and were repelled. It was a humiliating and disgraceful withdrawal: the vans they had brought with them to carry their trophies left the village with nothing but the corpses of their victims. Nugzar lost six courageous volunteers” (Varandian, M., idem, p. 353).</footnote>

<footnote n="649">649 National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3848, p. 115.</footnote>
<figure><img src="image_757.png" /></figure>

<figure><img src="image_758.png" /><figcaption>NUKZAR. St. Gevorg Church seen from the south-west and west</figcaption></figure>

Most probably, it functioned till 1895, when the Tsarist Government banned the activity of all Armenian educational institutions. It was only on 13 October 1908 that Nukzar Armenians held a meeting deciding to open a school attached to the local church and set up a Board of Trustees for it.<fnref n="650" />

**St. Gevorg Church.** The archive documents dating back to the period before 1885 (1849,<fnref n="651" /> 1852,<fnref n="652" /> 1861,<fnref n="653" /> 1862⁶⁵⁴ and 1878⁶⁵⁵) mention a church called

Sourb Astvatzatzin in Nukzar, whereas after 1885 it is referred to as St. Gevorg;<fnref n="656" /> this comes to suggest that the sanctuary was reconsecrated between 1849 and 1885.

Most presumably, St. Gevorg Church (18,2 x 9,05 metres), which “was erected by the former inhabitants of the village”,<fnref n="657" /> dates back to the 17th century. It represents a uni-nave vaulted structure of undressed stone and mortar: it is only the cornerstones of its walls, as well as the frames of the entrance (it opens in the west) and the windows that are finely-cut. In the north, the apse is adjoined by a vestry of rectangular plan.

Closed on a Government order in 1928,<fnref n="658" /> it was later used as a storehouse.

**Priests.** In 1861 Andreas Ter-Michaeliants<fnref n="659" /> and in 1908 Mkrtich Ter-Ghevondiants served in Nukzar.<fnref n="660" />

Not far from the aforementioned sanctuary, a **medieval cemetery** extended, with a semi-ruined chapel of rough stone and mortar. According to a record, “...it had a wooden roof, the part of the altar facing the believers being adorned with ancient stone crosses.”<fnref n="661" />

The only remnants of the grave-yard comprise a tombstone bearing the following epitaph:

Այս է հանգիստ Գրիգորյ, բվիս Չլէ
(1298):

transl.: *In this grave reposes Grigor. In the year 1298.*

The Armenian original published in: **Barkhutariants, M. Artsakh, p. 294; Corpus..., part 5, p. 265.**

The ruins of a large village site are preserved on the wooded slope of a gorge lying in the valley of the river Shamkor, about 4 to 5 kilometres south-west of Nukzar. At the south-western extremity of that site, retaining some simple lonely cross-stones (they are bare of any inscriptions) scattered here and there, the monastery of **Sourb Amenaprkich** is located. There are no available bibliographical records concerning the sanctuary, whose exact date of foundation is unknown.<fnref n="662" /> Its inscriptions published previously come to suggest that it served as a bishop residence in the 17th century.

A record, dating back to 28 September 1853, reveals that the sanctuary, which was in an insoluble state, did not function any more: “...the ruined monastery called Sourb Amenaprkich is situated near the villages of Hartshangist, Nunguzar and Gulambar, Yelizavetpol District. ...The period when it was an important sanctuary with a large monastic community,

<footnote n="650">650 National Archives of Armenia, fund 35, list 1, file 145, p. 1.</footnote>

<footnote n="651">651 National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3818, pp. 97-98.</footnote>

<footnote n="652">652 Idem, file 3819, p. 106.</footnote>

<footnote n="653">653 Idem, file 3835, pp. 148-149.</footnote>

<footnote n="654">654 Idem, file 3836, p. 58.</footnote>

<footnote n="655">655 Idem, file 3870, pp. 23-24.</footnote>

<footnote n="656">656 Idem, file 3877, p. 29.</footnote>

<footnote n="657">657 **Barkhutariants, M.**, idem, p. 294.</footnote>

<footnote n="658">658 National Archives of Armenia, fund 409, list 1, file 2658, p. 12.</footnote>

<footnote n="659">659 National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3835, pp. 148-149.</footnote>

<footnote n="660">660 Idem, file 817, p. 7.</footnote>

<footnote n="661">661 **Barkhutariants, M.**, ibid.</footnote>

<footnote n="662">662 The contemporary topographical sources trace it back to the 12th century (Dictionary of Toponymy of Armenia and Adjacent Territories, vol. 4, Yerevan, 1998, p. 36).</footnote>
<figure><img src="image_759.png" /><figcaption>NUKZAR. Sourd Amenaprkich Monastery seen from the north-east, south-west and north-west; the entrance of the gavit opening from its northern facade</figcaption></figure>

bishops and priors, is consigned to history now. It is
only the church that has been preserved standing,
whereas the other buildings, including the dwellings
and its enclosure, are either semi-destroyed or in a sate
of utter dilapidation."663

The records left by some topographers who saw the
monastery in the late 19th century come to prove the
aforementioned: "The church represents a small but
magnificent stone building with its roof destroyed.
Adjoined by a small, vaulted gavit, it has three vestries
on its right and left... The sanctuary, once fortified by
stone ramparts, used to have a creamery in the east and
some monastic dwellings in the west: at present their
ruins are the only reminders of their existence."664

The monastic complex of Sourd Amenaprkich con-
sisted of a church, an adjoining gavit, some monastic
cells, as well as an enclosure and a number of annexes.
It also included a cemetery lying at the slope of a near-
by hill, whence several cross-stones were moved and
set into the walls of the church and gavit.

The church represents a uni-nave vaulted building,
having vestries of rectangular plan in the east (the
northern one is destroyed), which jut out of its main
structure. Their construction coincided with that of the
church, which is also characteristic of the other monu-
ments of the region. The ruined vault, lying below a
gable roof, used to be supported by vault-bearing arch-
es resting on two pairs of pilasters.

The church had three windows in the east, as well
as two entrances, opening in the north and the west,
the latter connecting the church with the gavit. Apart

<footnote n="663">663 National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 2742, p. 17.</footnote>

<footnote n="664">664 “Ardzagank,” 1886, No. 21, p. 307.</footnote>
<figure><img src="image_760.png" /><figcaption>NUKZAR. A window opening from the western facade of the gavit of Sourd Amenaprkich Monastery; the entrance of the gavit opening from its northern facade; khachkars set in the western facade of the gavit, and its entrance tympanum</figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="image_761.png" /></figure>

from the entrance leading into the church, the vaulted gavit (like that of the church, its vault used to be supported by vault-bearing arches resting on two pairs of pilasters), built later, also has another in its northern facade. The building is illuminated through two windows, opening in the south and west. The entire monument is built of rough stone and mortar, with the exception of its cornerstones which are finely-cut.

In 1984 the other buildings, forming part of Sourd Amenaprkich Monastery, lay in total devastation.

In the early 19th century, the estates of Sourd Amenaprkich comprised Karmir Vank of Gyulambar Village and several adjacent villages.<fnref n="665" />

In 1840 “Amenaprkich Monastery, that had been stripped of its monastic community, had a ruined creamery and fifty oravars of non-arable land...”<fnref n="666" />

A register of 1853 states, “...the dominions of Amenaprkich and Karmir Monasteries, that hold possession of many nearby villages, include a road called Elchi in the east (it borders on the sanctuary from the side of Baghshek Village); the river Shamkor in the west; the site of Papi Gomer in the south, and Nunguzar Village in the north...”<fnref n="667" />

The sanctuary, which had a forest and some arable land between 1860 and 1862,<fnref n="668" /> preserved the same estates in 1886.<fnref n="669" />

<footnote n="665">665 National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 596, p. 1.</footnote>

<footnote n="666">666 Idem, file 3798, pp. 64-65.</footnote>

<footnote n="667">667 National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 2742, p. 17.</footnote>

<footnote n="668">668 Idem, file 3834, p. 25-26, file 3836, pp. 45-46.</footnote>

<footnote n="669">669 National Archives of Armenia, fund 56Ω, list 18, file 138.</footnote>
<figure><img src="image_762.png" /></figure>

<figure><img src="image_763.png" /><figcaption>NUKZAR. Partial views of the pilasters of the church of Sourb Amenaprkich Monastery, and a khachkar set in the northern facade of the gavit</figcaption></figure>

A register of Gandzak's monastic dominions made up in 1910 states, "This ancient monastery, at present serving as a pilgrimage site under the guardianship of the nearby parish priests, is absolutely devoid of any industrial estates and seems derelict and forsaken to a passer-by."<fnref n="670" />

During our visit to the sanctuary in 1984, we found only a single surviving **inscription**, the other two having, fortunately, been published in due time.

A single line in the Armenian original carved on the cornice of a cross-stone set in the northern facade of the gavit, east of its entrance:

U(ուր)ք խաչս ք(ա)ք(է)խաւս յուստայ
Աղազաքի հգք(1)ն:

<figure><img src="image_764.png" /></figure>

<figure><img src="image_765.png" /></figure>

transl.: May this Holy Cross protect Usta Aghazar's soul.

Published for the first time.

Inscribed on the plaster inside the gavit:

Ծնորհոքն Քրիստոսի և կամաւն Ա(ստուծո)յ. ես Դաւիք եպիսկոպոս նորոգեցի զեկեղեցիս այս յիշատակ ինձ և ծնողաց, Քաղագասքին... քվ(հն) ՌԴԻԸ (1679):

transl.: By the grace of Christ and will of God, I, Bishop David, repaired this church in memory of my parents, Baghdasar and me... in the year 1679.

The Armenian original published in: "Ardzagank," 1886, No. 21, p. 307; **Barkhutariants**, M. Artsakh, p. 295 (incomplete); **Lalayan**, Yer. Gandzak District, p. 346; Corpus..., part 5, p. 265.

Misreading: The "Ardzagank" correspondent deciphers the year in the same manner, i.e. '1680.'

<footnote n="670">670 National Archives of Armenia, fund 56, list 6, file 775, p. 26.</footnote>
Note: Bishop David, mentioned in the inscription, was one of the signatories to a document called “An Agreement” (1681): “I, Christ’s humble servant, Bishop David of Amenaprkich Monastery, acceded to it in 1681” (“Ararat,” 1900, p. 319).

Engraved on a big cross-stone placed in front of the church altar:

Դ հայրապետուրեան Աղուանից տ(եատ)ն տ(եատ)ն Տրատես Ս(ուր)ք կարողիկոսի, քազատուրեան պարսից Շահարազին, ես Աեղապարտ... որդիս իմ Մաղաքիա եպիսկոպոսն... նորոգեցար ս(ուր)ք Ամենադիրկիչս:

transl.: In the days of Catholicos of Aghvank His Holiness Trdat and Persian Shah Abbas, I, sinful... my son, Bishop Maghakia... repaired Sourb Amenaprkich.

The Armenian original published in: "Ardzagank," ibid; Lalayan, Yer., ibid: Corpus..., part 5, p. 266.

Misreading: The "Ardzagank" periodical offers the following decipherment of the inscription, «Դ հայրապետուրեանս Աղուանից Տեատն Տէր Սինաս կարողիկոսի, քազատուրեան պարսից Շահարազին, ես մեղապարտ Աբրահամ եպիսկոպոս և երբարքի մը Ներևս կոբատոր եղար...» (transl.: "In the days of Aghvank Catholicos Minas and Persian King Shahbas, I, sinful bishop Abraham, and my brother Nerses were ordained...").

**Tzitzer Spring.** In a gorge lying half a kilometre north-east of Amenaprkich Monastery, a rock towers "with its lower part shaped like a cave."<fnref n="671" /> Water drops from some stalactite stones hanging above into a natural stone basin, forming a spring commonly known among the locals by the name of Tzitzer: "The stone whence the water drops contains some lime, due to which its ends are identified with human nipples; hence the name of the spring, i.e. Tzitzer."<fnref n="672" /> That rare shape of the stone has imparted sanctity to the spring, making it a pilgrimage destination."<fnref n="673" />

Some three to four simple cross-stones are preserved in the vicinity of the spring.

The village also had another "church called Sourb Astvatzatzin in a village site named Akherji",<fnref n="674" /> but its location is unknown.

The historical monuments preserved in Nukzar also include **Ghezghala**, a medieval fort situated 7 kilometres east of the village.

## ORJONIKIDZE

The village is located 15 kilometres south of the district centre, at an altitude of 1,400 to 1,410 metres above sea level.

It was established by some Armenian resettlers from Garnaker in 1921. In the 1980s, it had 78 Armenians

who were deported between 1988 and 1989.

## PLANKEND (KECHILI)

**Location.** The settlement is situated 9 kilometres northeast of the district centre, at an altitude of 220 to 300 metres above sea level.

**A Historical Introduction.** The present-day village, which originally represented several winter encampments lying within some distance of each other, used to shelter the cattle-breeding Turkish tribe of Kechili. It was only in the late 19th century that it shifted to a sedentary life in the settlement of Kechili, belonging to landowners Hasan Bey and Rustam Bey Shamkhorski at that period.<fnref n="675" />

In the Soviet years, the two villages of the same name, situated within 3 kilometres of each other, were united and renamed Plankend (it was within the jurisdiction of the Village Council of Lyazgilyar).

**Population.** The available statistical data regarding the number of the stock-breeding nomadic community of Kechili (later a village) 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>1804<sup>676</sup></td><td>45</td><td>82</td><td>79</td><td>161</td></tr><tr><td>1886<sup>677</sup></td><td>222</td><td>569</td><td>382</td><td>951</td></tr><tr><td>1914<sup>678</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>1,545</td></tr><tr><td>1982<sup>679</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>1,698</td></tr></tbody></table>

**A village site called Ghurulukh** was located on the right bank of the river Kur, 6 kilometres north of Plankend.

Below follow the available statistical data regarding the stock-breeding Turkish nomads who shifted to a sedentary life and founded the aforementioned village only in the late 19th century:

<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>680</sup></td><td>54</td><td>124</td><td>101</td><td>225</td></tr><tr><td>1914<sup>681</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>308</td></tr></tbody></table>

The village was stripped of its population in the Soviet years.

## PRAVDA (ALABASHLI)

The village is located 17 kilometres east of the district centre, at an altitude of 240 to 255 metres above sea level.

By 1864 the cattle-breeding Turkish tribes inhabiting Alabashli had not changed to a sedentary life yet<fnref n="682" /> so that the so-called village actually existed only in winter.

<footnote n="671">671 **Barkhutariants**, M., idem, p. 295.</footnote>

<footnote n="672">672 The equivalent for 'Breasts' in vulgar Armenian.</footnote>

<footnote n="673">673 "Ardzagank," 1886, No. 21, p. 307. Also see **Karapetian, S. A**
New Year in the Shamkor Gorge (Travelling Notes). In:
"Gardmank," 1996, No. 3, p. 13.</footnote>

<footnote n="674">674 National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 6, file 3877, p. 29.</footnote>

<footnote n="675">675 National Archives of Armenia, fund 93, list 1, file 388, p. 13.</footnote>

<footnote n="676">676 Collected Acts..., vol. 2, p. 596.</footnote>

<footnote n="677">677 A Statistical Survey..., pp. 82-83.</footnote>

<footnote n="678">678 Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 140.</footnote>

<footnote n="679">679 SAE, vol. 7, p. 553.</footnote>

<footnote n="680">680 A Statistical Survey..., pp. 82-83.</footnote>

<footnote n="681">681 Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 148.</footnote>

<footnote n="682">682 **Meves, V.**, op. cit., in: "Kavkaz," 1865, No. 48, p. 258.</footnote>
In 1886 Alabashli, that was within the jurisdiction of the Village Councils of the adjacent settlements of Kadili and Myulkadarli, had a stock-raising Turkish community of 101 houses, including 437 males and 315 females.<fnref n="683" />

### SABIRKEND

This purely Turkish village is situated on the right side of the railway of Aghstafa-Gandzak, 12 kilometres north-west of the district centre, at an altitude of 335 to 360 metres above sea level.

It was established in the Soviet years and had 2,992 residents in 1983.<fnref n="684" />

### SALER

The village lies 18 kilometres south of the district centre, at an altitude of 1,450 to 1,480 metres above sea level.

It was founded in 1918 by 50 Armenian families from Barsum.

Saler had 94 Armenian inhabitants in 1983⁶⁸⁵ and 70 houses in the late 1980s, when it also had an eight-year school of a small number of pupils.

The village was stripped of its residents during the deportation of 1988 to 1989.

### SAMED VURGHUN (TAKNALI)

**Location.** The village extends on the right bank of the river Shamkor, 18 kilometres northeast of the district centre, at an altitude of 150 to 170 metres above sea level.

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

A village site called Tars-Dallyar is located on the right bank of the river Kur, 2 kilometres north-east of Samed Vurghun.

It was established by some tribes of Turkish herdersmen who had changed to a sedentary life in the late 19th century.

The available 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>686</sup></td><td>65</td><td>140</td><td>98</td><td>238</td></tr><tr><td>1914<sup>687</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>287</td></tr></tbody></table>

Tars-Dallyar was stripped of its inhabitants in the Soviet years.

### SERSERUT

The village, whose exact location remains unknown, is mentioned in 1656, when Priest Avetis copied a manuscript *Mashtots* there ("...in a village called Serserut, Shamkor District...").<fnref n="688" />

### SHAMKOR TOWN SITE

**Location.** The ruins of this fortress town, boasting a remarkable history, lie on the left bank of the river Shamkor, about 10 to 12 kilometres east of Shamkhor City.

**The foundation of Shamkor** is traditionally ascribed to Aghvank Catholicos Viro (595 to 629), who allegedly "...built five cities bearing Shata's name..."<fnref n="689" />

**A Historical Chronology.** One of the most famous fortified towns in medieval Armenia and Transcaucasia, Shamkor was also a prospering centre of commerce. Its name was often used to refer to the entire region ("In the district of Shamkur," "In the district of Shamkor," etc.).<fnref n="690" />

**7th to 9th centuries.** In the mid-7th century, Shamkor was occupied by the Arabs. At the end of the following century, it was reduced to ruins by the tribes of *Sewordik*<fnref n="691" /> from Utik: "He [i.e. Salman ibn Rabia al-Bahili] sent a mounted detachment to Shamkhor (Shamkur) and conquered it. It was an ancient city which enjoyed prosperity until its total devastation by the so-called Sewordik (Siyavardiyya), a people who had united their forces and strengthened themselves after Arab Governor Yazid ibn Maziad's departure from Armenia."<fnref n="692" />

An Arab historiographer writes the following in connection with the aforementioned events, "Shamkor, which is an ancient fortress town in Aghvank, is situated within eleven *parsakhs*<fnref n="693" /> of Gandzak (this distance can be covered in a single day). A thriving, populous city, it was annihilated by the Sanavardia (they manifested their occupation plans after Yezid ibn Usayid had left Armenia), led by War-Lord Salman ibn Rabia, who had also captured Partaw. Later, however, ... Mutasim's mavla (?) Bugha, who had been appointed Governor General of Armenia, Shumshat and Azerbaijan in the year 240 of the Hijrah calendar (2 June 854 to 21 May 855), suppressed them and reconstructed the town, renaming it Al-Mutavakilia."<fnref n="694" /> He also inhabited its territory with 300 Khazar families from Darband: "...arriving in Darband in spring, he moved three hundred of the local Khazar families to Shamkor..."<fnref n="695" />

<footnote n="683">683 A Statistical Survey..., pp. 76-77.</footnote>

<footnote n="684">684 SAE, vol. 8, p. 244.</footnote>

<footnote n="685">685 Idem, p. 271.</footnote>

<footnote n="686">686 A Statistical Survey..., pp. 78-79.</footnote>

<footnote n="687">687 Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 186.</footnote>

<footnote n="688">688 Colophons, 17th century, vol. 3, p. 740.</footnote>

<footnote n="689">689 *Kirakos Gandzaketsy*, p. 195. Also see *Injijian, Gh*. History of Ancient Armenia, p. 532, in Armenian.</footnote>

<footnote n="690">690 Colophons, 17th century, vol. 3, pp. 409, 740, 876, etc.</footnote>

<footnote n="691">691 The ethnonym, meaning 'Black Sons,' was used with reference to a brand of Hungarian tribesmen who had settled in the valleys of the rivers Tavush and Dzegam.</footnote>

<footnote n="692">692 *Ibn-al-Asir*, pp. 56, 370 (note 51).</footnote>

<footnote n="693">693 A unit of length equal to three miles.</footnote>

<footnote n="694">694 Arabic Sources on Armenia and the Adjacent Countries. Compiled by **Nalbandian, H.** Yerevan, 1965, p. 85. Yezid ibn Usayd was the Arab Governor of Armenia under Caliph Al-Mansur (754 to 775) (idem, p. 182, note 249).</footnote>

<footnote n="695">695 *Juansher*, p. 106.</footnote>
Under Aghvank Catholicos Michael (707 to 744), the monastery of Shamkor Castle hosted a church meeting: “...assembling all in the monastery of Berd in Šamkor he and the council unanimously cursed the house of Varazoy.”<fnref n="696" />

In the 890s, to put it more exactly, before the great earthquake of Dvin, Bagratid King Smbat I (890 to 914) extended the territories of his realm up to Toos (nowadays Tavush) and Shamkor in the north-east and turned the latter into a frontier fortification: “Thus, he expanded his state... whose borders reached the river Kur and the city of Tpkhis in the south; Hunarakert City, Utik District as well as Toos and Shamkor.”<fnref n="697" />

*11th to 13th centuries.* In the 11th century, Shamkor fell under the sway of the Seljuk Turks, who devastated it.

The participants of a church meeting held in the fort of Tavush in 1139 included “...Bishop Stepanos of Goghtan District and Shamkor City...”<fnref n="698" />

In 1194 (or 1195 according to some Georgian sources), Atropatene's *Atabek* Abu-Beker (1191 to 1210), who had invaded Shirvan, launched hostilities against the Georgian troops, led by Queen Thamara's husband, David Soslan, in the neighbourhood of Shamkor. That decisive fighting ended in the former's crushing defeat so that he hardly had a narrow escape from capture.

Dwelling upon the battle of Shamkor in his *Chronology*, Priest Hovhannes writes, “In the year 1194, the troops of Thamara smashed the Turks in the vicinity of Shamkor.”<fnref n="699" />

Early in the 13th century, the Armeno-Georgian united forces, led by the Zakarians, liberated Shamkor, which shifted into the reign of Blu Zachare's son Vahram: “...conquering a great number of impregnable forts and districts, then under Persian rule, they also attacked and took Shamkor. Vahram, Aghbugh's father and Vahram, Zakare and Ivane's grandfather, established his domination there.”<fnref n="700" />

According to Vardan Areveltsy, Shamkor was liberated between 1214 and 1219: “In the year 663... Ivane the Great, distinguished for his valour, captured Charek and the territories in its neighbourhood. He also liberated Shamkor through the support of his relative Zakaria's son Vahram...”<fnref n="701" />

The fact that Shamkor belonged to the Vahramians is also attested by some Georgian sources: “Shamkor (Shankor) was under the sway of Vahram (Varam) Gagetsy, a prudent man who had earned himself high repute at many battles...”<fnref n="702" />

Apparently, during the same period, i.e. between 1214 and 1219, Shamkor was the seat of the archbishop of the diocese of the same name: “...under the leadership and with the support of Archbishop Hovhannes Tuetsy, the spiritual guardian of Shamkor, Gardman, Yergevank, Terunanak, Tavush as well as other forts and territories under Prince Vahram’s dominion.”<fnref n="703" />

The Mongol-Tartars' raids reached Shamkor City in 1220. Penetrating into Aghvank via Derbend, they also invaded Georgia and reached Tiflis, spreading devastation on their way: “...Advancing rapidly towards the city of Tpkhis, they returned to Aghvank and approached Shamkor City.”<fnref n="704" />

In 1225 one of the commanders of War-Lord Charmaghan, Molar Nuin, who had taken the forts belonging to the Vahramians, laid siege to Shamkor: “One of his senior commanders named Molar Nuin sent a small number of troops, amounting to about a hundred, to the gates of Shamkor, where they stationed themselves, hindering free movement in the city.”<fnref n="705" />

With Vahram Gagetsy rejecting the local inhabitants' request to support them (realizing that it would be simply impossible to resist the large enemy forces, he even forbade his son Aghbugha to do so), the Mongol-Tartars conquered and destroyed the city easily: “When Molar, the foreign invaders' commander-in-chief, eventually joined them (by that time their number had greatly increased), they mounted an offensive against Shamkor. Its ramparts being built of wood and straw, they easily climbed over them and burst into the city, burning down its fortified walls at night. The following day, Molar Nuin ordered his troops to fill the immense pit that had appeared in the site of the ramparts with soil. Thus, the barbarians took possession of the city and put all its inhabitants to sword, setting the local buildings alight and appropriating what they found there.”<fnref n="706" />

The available sources keep silence about Shamkor until the 15th century, when it fell under the domina-

<footnote n="696">⁶⁹⁶ Movsēs Dasxurançi, p. 204.</footnote>

<footnote n="697">⁶⁹⁷ Hovhannes Draskhanakerttsy, p. 164. Also see Chamchians, M., op. cit., vol. 2, Venice, 1785 (republished in Yerevan in 1984), p. 715.</footnote>

<footnote n="698">⁶⁹⁸ *Movsēs Dasxurançi:* Appendix by Mkhitar Gosh, p. 351.</footnote>

<footnote n="699">⁶⁹⁹ Brief Chronicles, vol. 1, p. 25. Also see *Abrahamian, A. G.*, Historiography by Sage Hovhannes. Yerevan, 1956, p. 134, in Armenian. The battle of Shamkor is also traced back to 1203, although this is not substantiated by any facts (*Veydenbaum, E*. A Guide to Caucasia. Tiflis, 1888, p. 376, in Russian).</footnote>

<footnote n="700">⁷⁰⁰ Kirakos Gandzaketsy, p. 163.</footnote>

<footnote n="701">⁷⁰¹ Vardan Vardapet, pp. 142-143.</footnote>

<footnote n="702">⁷⁰² Melikset-Bek, L. M., vol. 2, p. 52. Blu Zakare's son Vahram was also called 'Gagetsy' (i.e. 'from Gag') or 'Gageli' (in Georgian) due to the fact that his residence was in the castle of Gag.</footnote>

<footnote n="703">⁷⁰³ Kirakos Gandzaketsy, p. 153.</footnote>

<footnote n="704">⁷⁰⁴ Idem, p. 202.</footnote>

<footnote n="705">⁷⁰⁵ Idem, pp. 241-242.</footnote>

<footnote n="706">⁷⁰⁶ Idem, pp. 242-243. Vardan Areveltsy, who traces the conquest of Shamkor back to 1225, writes the following about it, “...Shamkor was the first of the districts belonging to Great Prince Vahram that was taken by Molar Noyin through various tricks in the year 674” (*Vardan Vardapet*, p. 146).</footnote>
tion of the Turkoman tribes of Ak-Koyunlu<fnref n="707" /> and
Kara-Koyunlu.<fnref n="708" />

Between the 16th and 17th centuries, it formed part
of the Kizilbashi state.

In 1606 Persian Shah Abbas conquered Shamkor and "...perpetrated large-scale massacres there..."<fnref n="709" />

The 18th century marked a heavy struggle between
the Armenian meliks of Karabakh (Khamsa) and the
local Persian rulers (it also involved the Georgian court
and Caucasian mountaineers). In the aftermath of this,
Shamkor shifted back and forth between different
forces, periodically undergoing devastation and recon-
struction, the local inhabitants being either slaughtered
or taken captive.

In 1721 8,000 Lezghins, led by Surkhey Khan and Ali-Sultan, attacked Gandzak, but suffered defeat there and decided to invade Shamkor. After Gandzak's Khan Oghurlu had turned to Georgian King Vakhtang for aid, the latter's army units occupied Shamkor and advanced towards Gandzak, where they robbed the local population and captured many of them, taking advantage of the favourable opportunity.<fnref n="710" />

The second half of the 18th century and, especially,
the days of King Heracle II marked an even greater
influx of Shamkor Armenians into Georgia in general
and Tiflis in particular. Constituting a large number in
the Georgian capital, they had their own quarter called
Shamkoretsots (i.e. 'Of Shamkor Inhabitants'), and
their church named Sourd Astvatzatzin, or Karmir
Avetaran (i.e. the Armenian equivalent for 'Red
Gospel').<fnref n="711" />

In retaliation for the atrocities that had marked the
domination of Oghurlu Khan, in 1762 the inhabitants
of Gandzak decided to slaughter the members of his
family. His son Shahverdi Khan, however, escaped that
fate and found refuge in Shamkor.<fnref n="712" />

The unbearable tyranny of Karabakh's Ibrahim Khan forced 500 Armenian families from Gyulistan to move to Gandzak Khanate and resettle in Shamkor in 1788.<fnref n="713" />

19th century. In 1804 Shamkor shifted into Russian
domination, which was ratified by a Russo-Persian
Treaty signed in Gyulistan on 12 October 1813.

Breaking this agreement, in 1826 Persian Prince Abbas Mirza invaded Karabakh with an army of 60,000, sieged Shushi and occupied Yelizavetpol. A Persian army unit of 10,000, led by distinguished Persian War-Lord Amir Khan and Abbas Mirza's son Mahmed Mirza, moved to Tiflis via Ghazakh, but their advance was halted in the neighbourhood of Shamkor by a Russian detachment of 2,000, led by Armenian General V. G. Madatov. On 3 (15) September, the bel- ligerents fought a decisive battle and the Russians won a brilliant victory, which paved the way for the libera- tion of Yelizavetpol several days later.<fnref n="714" />

Military Historian V. Potto describes this battle in
the following way, "The battle of Shamkor, which was
not heavy at all, did not last long, for a decisive attack
put an end to it at once. The Persians offered such a
weak resistance that it took the Russians only 27 fatal-
ities to crush their forces, fivefold as strong as they
themselves were. The enemy suffered really great loss-
es: they confessed that the victims caused by that fatal
battle exceeded 2,000, including the Guards Unit of the
shah, that had been totally exterminated by the Russian
cavalry. The entire territory, extending from Shamkor
to Yelizavetpol for more than 30 versts was covered by
their corpses. This is also attested by Paskevich (he
happened to pass through the battle-field eight days
after the fighting), who is beyond any suspicions of
bias in favour of Madatov; nor could he be inclined to
overestimate the significance of the victory won at
Shamkor."<fnref n="715" />

The aforementioned Armenian general himself con-
fessed that the battle of Shamkor marked the happiest
moments in his life.<fnref n="716" /> During the fight, the Russian
forces included some detachments of Armenian volun-

<footnote n="714">714 History of the Armenian Nation, vol. 5, Yerevan, 1974, pp. 141-142; Parsamian, V. A. Historiographical Works. Yerevan, 1985, p. 111, in Armenian; Lalayan, Yer, idem, p. 219; Raffi, idem, pp. 331, 352-355.</footnote>

<footnote n="715">715 **Potto, V.** The Caucasian War..., vol. 3, part 1, St. Petersburg, 1886, p. 145 (the Russian original reads, "Шамхорская битва длилась не долго и была не сложна. Она окончилась одним стремительным ударомъ. Сопротивление неприятеля было такъ слабо, что блистательная победа, разгромъ въ пять разъ сильнейшаго врага, - стоили русскому войскамъ всего 27 человекъ, выбывшихъ изъ строя, въ то время, какъ потери неприятеля были громадны. По сознанию самихъ персиянь, они потеряли въ этот фатальный для нихъ день свыше двухъ тысячъ человекъ одними убитыми. Шахская гвардия, участвовавшая въ деле, более не существовала, - она почти вся легла подъ ударами русской конницы. Пространство отъ Шамхора до Елизаветполя, на протяжении тридцати слишкомъ версть устлано было неприятельскими трупами. Объ этомъ свидетельствоваль между прошчимъ и самъ Паскевичъ, проезжавший, спустя восемь дней, через поле битвы, - а Паскевича никакъ нельзя заподозрить въ пристрастии къ Мадатову или въ желании преувеличить значение шамхорской победы).</footnote>

<footnote n="716">716 Op. cit., p. 146.</footnote>

<footnote n="707">707 Composed of the Turkish words of ‘agh,’ i.e. ‘white,’ and ‘ko-yun,’ i.e. ‘sheep,’ the ethnonym means ‘White Sheep.’</footnote>

<footnote n="708">708 'Black Sheep' in Turkish.</footnote>

<footnote n="709">709 **Chamchiants, M.**, op. cit., vol. 3, p. 555.</footnote>

<footnote n="710">710 **Lalayan, Yer**, idem, p. 216. Also see **Raffi**. The Melikdoms of Khamsa: A Collection of Works, vol. 10, Yerevan, 1959, pp. 177, 179, in Armenian.</footnote>

<footnote n="711">711 P. M. Muradian published the lapidary inscriptions of the church in his monograph entitled *The Armenian Epigraphy of Georgia: Tbilisi* (Yerevan, 1988, pp. 92-96, in Russian).</footnote>

<footnote n="712">712 Lalayan, Yer, idem, pp. 228-229.</footnote>

<footnote n="713">713 **Raffi**, idem, p. 251.</footnote>
teers led by Galust Manucharian, Asri Bahaterian and others.<fnref n="717" />

The battle of Shamkor was to prove of immense importance in the course of the second Russo-Persian war. It marked the beginning of a series of victories won by the former, who conquered the khanates of Yerevan and Nakhijevan. Under the treaty of Turkmenchay from that time onwards, the border between the two states was to run along the river Arax.

By the '90s of the 19th century, Shamkor had already been reduced to ruins.

Shamkor in 1918. In January 1918 in connivance with the representatives of some Western states and, particularly, Tiflis' American Consul Adam Smith, the Georgian Menshevik leaders of the Transcaucasian Commissariat, i.e. N. Ramishvili, Yev. Gegechkori and A. Chkhenkeli, committed a massacre of the Russian soldiers returning home from the Caucasian Front of World War I. Disarming them under the plea of allocating their weapons to the national army units, the commander of the armoured train sent to Shamkor, i.e. Abkhazava, the National Muslim Committee and the so-called Wild Division (its leaders included Aslan Bey Safikyurdski, Prince Maghalov, Khududan Bey Khasmamedov and others) slaughtered more than 1,000 of them, appropriating over 12 cannons, 15,000 guns and 70 machine-guns.<fnref n="718" />

The present-day city of Shamkor, which comprises the former village of Annino, dates from the first years of the Soviet rule. It is situaed on the motorway of Tiflis-Yevlakh, about 10 to 12 kilometres west of the town site. Having served as the centre of the district of the same name since 1930, it was granted municipal status in 1944.<fnref n="719" />

Information regarding the number of the local **population** in the 19th century can be found mainly in some Russian sources. However, it is hardly exhaustive to give a clear picture of their ethnic make-up. Thus, the city had 600 families in 1809,<fnref n="720" /> and 581 residents in the early 1850s.<fnref n="721" /> At the turn of the century, its ruins comprised merely several Muslim houses.<fnref n="722" />

Shamkor, that comprised 20,000 inhabitants in 1976,<fnref n="723" /> had an Armenian population of over 2,000 before the deportation of 1988.<fnref n="724" /> They had a secondary school and a district newspaper. Most of the former residents of Shamkor took up living in the Republic of Armenia.

A **monastery**, referred to as a scriptorium in the sources of the 17th century, used to be situated either in Shamkor or its vicinity. It may be identical to Berdi Vank (i.e. Monastery of the Fort) mentioned by Movsēs Dasxurançi.

In 1635 Sargis the Philologist copied the Epistles of Apostle Paul "...in the holy monastery of Shamkor."<fnref n="725" />

In 1651 Priest Grigor penned and illustrated a manuscript *Prayer-Book*, writing the following in its colophon, "...I handed it to blessed senior teacher St. Sargis, the guardian of Shamkor Monastery...1651."<fnref n="726" />

A topographer who visited the castle of Shamkor describes it in the following manner, "...The present-day ruins indicate that the city was, indeed, a large one, less than half a mile wide and about a mile long together with its suburb. You can still see some gold, silver and copper coins, other copper articles, pitchers, vessels as well as iron and clay tools amidst its remnants. Nowadays, however, everything lies in complete dilapidation, with the exception of a semi-ruined fort which is 130 metres long and 70 metres 50 centimetres wide (its walls are 2 metres 45 centimetres thick). It has two gates opening in the south and north as well as thick ramparts and many towers built of burnt brick, undressed pebble and mortar. The stronghold is surrounded by the ruins of the city in the south, north and west, with the stream Shamkor flowing below its fortified walls in the east. Apart from its main ramparts, the castle also had some extra ones built of unburnt brick and mortar: as a continuation of the southern ramparts, they extended along its western part and eventually joined the northern ones."<fnref n="727" />

The castle used to have four vantage-points "...built of stone and mortar. The first and highest of them, located north of the second one, was destroyed in 1844. The latter was situated at the edge of a plain lying on the left bank of the stream Shamkor. The other two, which have been preserved standing, are placed at the foot of Mount Aghdan."<fnref n="728" />

In 1845 a high column<fnref n="729" /> towered in the vicinity of Shamkor: "Enduring all kinds of attacks and invasions

<footnote n="717">717 Soviet Armenian Encyclopedia, vol. 8, pp. 443-444.</footnote>

<footnote n="718">718 As attested by the 7th volume of the *History of the Armenian Nation* published by the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia (vol. 7, Yerevan, 1967, pp. 23-24, in Armenian), the slaughter of the Russian soldiers was perpetrated between 7 and 20 January 1918. According to the Soviet Armenian Encyclopedia (vol. 8, p. 443), it was committed on 9 to 12 January. For more details about that carnage, see *The Great Socialist October Revolution and the Victory of the Soviet Authorities in Armenia. A Collection of Documents and Materials*. Yerevan, 1960, pp. 167-168, 170-173; Melikian, H. S. The October Revolution and the Caucasian Army. Yerevan, 1970, pp. 551-555, in Armenian.</footnote>

<footnote n="719">719 Dictionary of Toponymy of Armenia and Adjacent Territories, vol. 4, p. 71.</footnote>

<footnote n="720">720 Collected Acts..., vol. 4, p. 491.</footnote>

<footnote n="721">721 Caucasian Calendar for 1852, p. 93.</footnote>

<footnote n="722">722 *Barkhutariants*, M., idem, p. 56.</footnote>

<footnote n="723">723 Soviet Armenian Encyclopedia, vol. 8, p. 443.</footnote>

<footnote n="724">724 *Karapetian, S.* Abandoned Armenian Settlements in Azerbaijan (1988 to 1991). In: "Hayreniki Dzayn," No. 3, 9 February 1993, p. 4.</footnote>

<footnote n="725">725 Colophons, 17th century, vol. 2, p. 611.</footnote>

<footnote n="726">726 Idem, p. 450.</footnote>

<footnote n="727">727 *Barkhutariants*, M., idem, pp. 55-56.</footnote>

<footnote n="728">728 Idem, p. 56.</footnote>

<footnote n="729">729 Caucasian Calendar for 1846, p. 50.</footnote>
that marked the history of the country throughout many
centuries, this immense column was preserved intact
amidst the ruins and remnants of the once large city.
...There exist different legends with regard to its con-
struction, but there are some grounds to presume that it
formerly served as an observatory (it was only in the
recent years that some mullahs turned it into a minaret).
The column, rising over a quadrangular pedestal, was
unique for its unusual durability and daring height.
Some winding stairs that were wide enough for two
people to climb them side by side led to a hall, jutting
out over the column and surrounding it at a height of
about two hundred feet, its delicacy making it a rare
specimen of architectural art. The year of the erection
of this superb monument is far in the depth of cen-
turies: even today the ruins of Shamkor retain some
ancient coins with a representation of Alexandre the
Great. ...it collapsed in the '40s...

The following record provides some valuable information concerning the aforementioned column, the famous castle of Shamkor and other historical monuments standing in the city or its neighbourhood: "It represents a devastated Armenian city site lying on the bank of the river Shamkor. In the 12th century, it was under the sway of Prince Vahram. Later it was ruined by the Tartars whose leader was called Molar. Afterwards the city was reconstructed by the meliks of Karabakh, but at present it lies in ruins. In a plain lying in the east of the site towers a small, but durable castle of brick whose neighbourhood boasts fertile soil and sweet water abounding in trout. ...This column, which is 108 *kanguns*<sup>731</sup> high, bears resemblance to a mosque. Presumably, it was erected by the Armenians in honour of the Tartars: this is attested by some Armenian letters

distorted beyond decipherment. It may have served as
an observatory, for its height allows view of a very
large territory."<sup>732</sup>

Some **bridges**, dating from at least the early Middle Ages, lay over the river Shamkor flowing in the vicinity of the city. All of them were built as multi-span structures so that they might be able to endure the wide current of the river. In the mid-19th century, "...the ruins of a multi-span bridge built of white stone lie over the river..."<sup>733</sup>

During the same period, another stone bridge was
erected over the river Shamkor with the means of
Gandzak inhabitant Altuniants and through the assis-
tance of the local people (3,000 carts were used for the
conveyance of the building material necessary for it).<sup>734</sup>

SHAMKHOR (ANNENFELD, MORUL)

**Location.** The town, situated on both banks of the river Jagir, dates back to the Soviet years and comprises the German colony of Annenfeld and the Turkish village of Morul.

ANNENFELD (ANNINO)

**Location.** The settlement extends on the right bank of the river Jagir, at an altitude of 400 to 500 metres above sea level.

**A Historical Introduction.** Between 1817 and 1818, the Government allocated some lands lying on the left bank of the river Shamkor (the site of the present-day village of Yenihayad) to 67 families of German immigrants who were to become the founders of a colony "...named after Great Princess Ann Pavlovna, the queen of the Netherlands..."<sup>735</sup>

Soon, however, many of the resettlers fell victim to
the unfavourable climatic conditions of the area char-
acterized by "...a severe climate and fertile soil, if only
there was sufficient irrigation water..."<sup>736</sup>

Hardly a decade after its establishment, in 1826, Annenfeld was reduced to ruins by the troops of Persian Prince Abbas-Mirza. Although the Government rendered some financial aid to the local inhabitants after the termination of the Russo-Persian war,<sup>737</sup> the rigorous climate made "them scatter in different vil-

<footnote n="730">730 **Potto, V.**, op. cit., p. 141 (the Russian original reads, “При всех переворотахъ, колебавшихъ эту страну въ течение многих вековъ, одинъ этотъ гигантский столбъ проти- вустояль разрушению и сохранялся невредимо среди груды камней и развалинь некогда окружавшаго его большого города. Темныя предложения различно повест- вуютъ о сооружении этого столба; но есть основание думать, что онъ въ былое время служить астрономи- ческой обсерваториею, и что только уже въ поздней- шие годы муллы обратили его въ минареть. Уставлен- ная на четырехъ-угольномъ пьедестале, колонна эта была замечательна смелостью полета въ вышину и необыкновенную прочностию. Винтовая лестница внутри, достаточно широкая для двухъ человекъ, иду- щихъ рядомъ, вела на галерею, окружавшую колонну на высоте около двухсотъ футовъ отъ земли, и могла считаться образцомъ архитектуры по своей изящнос- ти и легкости. Время основания этого замечательнаго сооружения теряется въ глубине вековъ, и нужно ска- зать, что еще и теперь въ развалинахъ Шамхора нахо- дять древния монеты съ изображениемъ Александра Великаго. ...Въ сороковыхъ годах онъ упаль..."). Also see **Veydenbaum, E.**, idem, p. 375.</footnote>

<footnote n="731">731 A unit of length measured by the part between a human elbow and the middle finger.</footnote>

<footnote n="732">732 Jalaliants, S., idem, part 1, pp. 170-171.</footnote>

<footnote n="733">733 Idem, p. 171.</footnote>

<footnote n="734">734 *Collected Acts...,* vol. 11, Tiflis, 1888, p. 817 (the Russian original reads, “Строит Елисаветопольский житель милиции шт.-ротм. Алтунов, на собственный счет, с нарядом от жителей 3000 ароб для перевозки материалов”).</footnote>

<footnote n="735">735 **Lalayan, Yer**, idem, p. 330.</footnote>

<footnote n="736">736 **Meves, V.**, op. cit., in: "Kavkaz," 1865, No. 35, p. 197 (the original reads, "...с убийственным климатом и плодороднейшей почвою, если бывает достаточно воды для поливки полей").</footnote>

<footnote n="737">737 **Lalayan, Yer**, idem, p. 331. The author repeats the record by the "Nor-Dar" periodical (1890, N 119, p. 2) with almost no changes.</footnote>
lages: by 1831 360 people had died, whereas the number of the newly-born amounted to only 94. The former residents of Annenfeld, however, were soon obliged to return, failing to find unoccupied territories anywhere.”<fnref n="738" />

Eventually, in 1873 the authorities moved these people “...to a place of healthy climate situated eight versts northward. They were given 1,500 logs and 6,000 rubles for the construction of new dwellings.”<fnref n="739" /> That marked the establishment of Nor Annenfeld constituting half of the eastern part of the present-day city of Shamkor. In 1938 it was renamed Shamkor.<fnref n="740" />

**Construction Activity.** In 1864 a visitor described Annenfeld in the following way, “...approaching the colony, I was fascinated by its finely-cultivated fields, the golden wheat swaying in the wind, the wonderful, green meadows as well as the orchards and vineyards, that lay in silent manifestation of the uttermost care and great skills thanks to which they had come into being: in a word, it was an oasis in an uninhabited desert...”<fnref n="741" />

According to the same visitor, in the 1890s Annenfeld was distinguished for its well-thought-out plan: “The straight, regular streets, planted with tall trees, and the finely-built houses with their large yards imparted a perfect appearance to the village... There is not anything worthy of mention regarding this colony, which is almost identical to Helenendorf... Unlike the latter, however, it does not enjoy an advanced stage of development, for it is farther from the centre.”<fnref n="742" />

**Population.** The 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>743</sup></td><td>116</td><td></td><td></td><td>492</td></tr><tr><td>1914<sup>744</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>942</td></tr></tbody></table>

In 1903 Annenfeld had an Armenian population of about 25 houses,<fnref n="745" /> whose number oscillated between 25 and 30 in the days of the Armeno-Turkish fights of

1905 to 1906.<fnref n="746" /> They had over 30 large and small shops all of which were plundered and destroyed by the Turkish residents of Morul.<fnref n="747" />

The Armenians of Annenfeld “...being devoid of spiritual comfort for a long time, ...on 23 April 1900 ... a prayer house opened there...”<fnref n="748" />

The local German church was erected in 1909.<fnref n="749" />

**The archaeological monuments** preserved in the neighbourhood of Annenfeld include some tumuli which were studied by Yer. Lalayan in the late 19th century.<fnref n="750" />

## MORUL

**Location.** Originally a village on the left bank of the river Shamkor, at present Morul forms part of the city of Shamkor together with the German colony of Annenfeld lying on the opposite bank of the river.

**A Historical Introduction.** In 1864 Morul, that did not have a sedentary population yet, served as a winter encampment for a stock-breeding Turkish tribe. V. Meves, who visited it in the summer of the same year, writes, “Before dusk I reached a group of diggings that comprised the village of Morul. They were absolutely akin to the ones already described, with the local inhabitants in the cattle-houses at that time...”<fnref n="751" />

In the late 19th century, the territory of the village belonged to a great number of Turkish landowners.<fnref n="752" />

**Population.** According to a population census held in 1886, the local community consisted of 282 houses with 1,792 people, including 1,023 males and 769 females.<fnref n="753" />

In 1914 the village had 1,848 inhabitants.<fnref n="754" />

## SHEIDLAR

The village is situated 9 kilometres south-west of the district centre, at an altitude of 1,160 to 1,200 metres above sea level.

It was established in a plot of land seized from Chardakhlu Village in the Soviet years.

<footnote n="738">738 **Lalayan, Yer**, ibid. (note 1).</footnote>

<footnote n="739">739 Ibid.</footnote>

<footnote n="740">740 The Azerbaijanian SSR: Administrative-Territorial Division, p. 211.</footnote>

<footnote n="741">741 **Meves, V.**, op. cit., in: “Kavkaz,” 1865, No. 43, p. 235 (the original reads, “...Подъезжая к колонии, я был обрадован видом прекрасно обработанных полей, выблющихся волною золотистых хлебов, превосходною зеленью лугов, живописными пейзажами отлично обработанных садов фруктовых и виноградных. Словом, это-что то в роде оазиса в безлюдной пустыне...”).</footnote>

<footnote n="742">742 Idem, p. 355.</footnote>

<footnote n="743">743 A Statistical Survey..., pp. 76-77. The majority of the local population were Germans who constituted 97 houses with 201 male and 236 female inhabitants. The available records on the number of the representatives of other nationalities are as follows: 16 Armenian houses with 23 male and 20 female inhabitants; a single Russian house with 3 males and 4 females; a single Georgian house with 2 males and a female, and a Persian house with 2 males.</footnote>

<footnote n="744">744 Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 89.</footnote>

<footnote n="745">745 “Nor-Dar,” 1903, No. 14, p. 2.</footnote>

<footnote n="746">746 **A-Do**, idem, pp. 340-341.</footnote>

<footnote n="747">747 Ibid.</footnote>

<footnote n="748">748 “Nor-Dar,” 1903, No. 14, p. 2.</footnote>

<footnote n="749">749 **Fatullayev, Sh. S.**, idem, p. 440.</footnote>

<footnote n="750">750 **Lalayan, Yer**, idem, p. 355.</footnote>

<footnote n="751">751 **Meves, V.**, op. cit., in: “Kavkaz,” 1865, No. 43, p. 235 (the original reads, “До заката солнца я дотащился до группы ям, из которых составилась деревня Морул; но как жители все были на кочевках, а все ямы ничем не отличались от прежде описанных...”).</footnote>

<footnote n="752">752 National Archives of Armenia, fund 93, list 1, file 388, pp. 35-36.</footnote>

<footnote n="753">753 A Statistical Survey..., pp. 84-85.</footnote>

<footnote n="754">754 Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 160.</footnote>
## SHISHTEPE

One of the most populous villages in the district, Shishtepe is located 8 kilometres west of the district centre, at an altitude of 440 to 550 metres above sea level.

It was founded in the early 20th century and had a Turkish population of 3,649 in 1986.<fnref n="755" />

## SPITAKSHEN (TSIRALOVKA)

The village lies 13 kilometres south of the district centre, at an altitude of 1,280 to 1,350 metres above sea level.

It was founded in 1918 by some Armenian resettlers from Jagir.

## TALISH

This Turkish village, dating from the early 20th century, extends 22 kilometres north-east of the district centre, at an altitude of 180 to 190 metres above sea level.

In 1907 the local population amounted to 98.<fnref n="756" />

## TATARLI

**Location.** This Turkish village lies on the right bank of the river Zakam, 24 kilometres west of the district centre, at an altitude of 550 to 620 metres above sea level.

**A Historical Introduction.** It was founded in the late 19th century by some stock-breeders who had shifted to a sedentary life. During that period, it belonged to four Turkish landowners.<fnref n="757" />

The available statistical data regarding 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>758</sup></td><td>83</td><td>320</td><td>255</td><td>575</td></tr><tr><td>1908<sup>759</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>815</td></tr><tr><td>1914<sup>760</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>679</td></tr></tbody></table>

At the top of a mountain rising opposite the village, i.e. on the left bank of the river Zakam are preserved the ruins of a chapel called **Yari Khach** (*the Armenian equivalent for 'A Healing Cross'*) . In 1890 a visitor wrote the following about it, "...I continued my way westward via the Turkish village of Ayiplu, with the mountains of Memertlu towering on my right. A path that was extremely difficult of access led to the summit of a mountain, where the yard of a chapel could be seen with some stones around it. Everyone complaining of any pain and disease turned to it and was healed; that is why, it had been given the widespread name of Yari Khach. The believers visiting the sanctuary also included some Turkish pilgrims."<fnref n="761" />

## TAZAKEND

Tazakend extends on the right bank of the river Shamkor, 11 kilometres east of the district centre, at an altitude of 290 to 320 metres above sea level.

Until the beginning of the 20th century, the railway station of Shamkor was located in its site.

In 1908 this Turkish village had 334 inhabitants.<fnref n="762" />

## TIK-KHULUF (KHULUF)

This small, insignificant Turkish village lies within a kilometre of the left bank of the river Kur, 16 kilometres north-east of the district centre, at an altitude of 175 metres above sea level.

It was founded in the early 20th century.

## YENIABAD (BITTILI)

**Location.** The village lies on the right bank of the river Shamkor, 14 kilometres north-east of the district centre, at an altitude of 200 to 215 metres above sea level.

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

The village was officially renamed Yeniabad in 1954.<fnref n="763" />

In 1908 it had a population of 64.<fnref n="764" />

## YENIHAYAD (HIN ANNENFELD)

The village extends in a plain lying on the left bank of the river Shamkor, 8 kilometres southeast of the district centre, at an altitude of 210 to 230 metres above sea level.

## YERRORD INTERNATSIONAL

The village lies 5 kilometres east of the district centre, at an altitude of 320 to 330 metres above sea level.

It was established in the Soviet years.

## YUKHARI (VERIN) KYONYULLYU

The village, which dates back to the Soviet years, is situated 19 kilometres southeast of the district centre, at an altitude of 360 to 370 metres above sea level.

## YUKHARI SEYFALI

The village is situated on the right bank of the river Shamkor, 11 kilometres southeast of the district centre, at an altitude of 460 to 570 metres above sea level.

It was established in the late 19th century (at that time it belonged to landowner Ashraf Khan Ziatkhanov)<fnref n="765" /> by some cattle-breeding tribes which had changed to a sedentary life.

<footnote n="755">755 SAE, vol. 10, p. 549.</footnote>

<footnote n="756">756 Caucasian Calendar for 1910, p. 373.</footnote>

<footnote n="757">757 National Archives of Armenia, fund 93, list 1, file 388, p. 7.</footnote>

<footnote n="758">758 A Statistical Survey..., pp. 82-83.</footnote>

<footnote n="759">759 Caucasian Calendar for 1910, p. 376.</footnote>

<footnote n="760">760 Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 187.</footnote>

<footnote n="761">761 **S. Kamalian** Fund, copy-book No. 1, VI-11, p. 2.</footnote>

<footnote n="762">762 Caucasian Calendar for 1910, p. 372.</footnote>

<footnote n="763">763 The Azerbaijanian SSR: Administrative-Territorial Division, p. 211.</footnote>

<footnote n="764">764 Caucasian Calendar for 1910, p. 205.</footnote>

<footnote n="765">765 National Archives of Armenia, fund 93, list 1, file 388, pp. 22-23.</footnote>
TOUZ DISTRICT

The district, which occupies an area of 1,903 square kilometres, was established in 1930 and has a 100 resi-
dential settlements, including 98 villages. It borders on Ghazakh, Shamkhor and Getabek Districts of the Republic
of Azerbaijan, Tavush Marz of the Republic of Armenia, and Tziteli-Tzegharo District of the Republic of Georgia.
It mostly covers the basin of the river Zakam and the plains extending on the right bank of the river Kur.

<figure><img src="image_766.png" /></figure>
The territory of the present-day district of Touz is mainly identical to the historical district of Nerkin (Lower) Zakam, and partly Verin (Upper) Zakam. Written sources mention the district in 1548,<fnref n="1" /> in 1639 (“...by the grace of Khoranashat’s Sourd Astvatzatzin, in the district of **Zagam...**”),<fnref n="2" /> and in 1706 (“In the year 1706, Mirza Ghasum left for **Zakam** to expel the army. I, Melik Kemal, came to arrange the work on the feast-day of the Holy Virgin”).<fnref n="3" />

The description of the area where the Armeno-Georgian army was defeated by the Mongols in the early 13th century mentions the toponym of ‘Sagim,’ which is identified to Zakam. With this regard, a record reads, “...the troops moved on, stationing themselves in a place now called Sagim, on the bank of the river Berduj...”<fnref n="4" />

Interestingly enough, the available written sources make frequent references only to the name of Verin Zakam,<fnref n="5" /> while the lower part of the district, which is actually Nerkin Zakam, is simply mentioned by the name of Zakam.

Extending in vast plains that provided no natural means of defense, the Armenian-inhabited district was gradually stripped of its residents. The last remaining Armenians left it in the 1770s and resettled in Shulaver.

The cemetery of Metz Shulaver retains the tombstone of Sargis, the prince of Zakam whose epitaph follows below:

5 lines in the Armenian original carved on a rectangular tombstone (154 x 62 x 30 centimetres):

Այս է տապան լուսահորի մէլիք Ապրքիս (եան) և շագամու, որ է որդի մէլիք Հախնդաքրի եւ հայր էր սա | մէլիք Աղաճանի, որ է բ(η)ոն մէլիք Ավալի, սա է եղ/պայր լո(ի)սահորի Վանայկան արքեպիսկոպ(η)սի ՈՄԾԵ (1806) | բպ(հ)ն սա փոխեցաւ կ(ե)անս վերին փեղք(ա)րի ԺԾ(15), Ա(սոուա)ծ ող(η)ր(մի):

transl.: In this grave reposes the ruler of Zagam, Melik Sargis of blessed memory who is the son of Melik Hakhnazar, the father of Melik Aghajan, the grandson of Melik Aval and the brother of Archbishop Vanakan of blessed memory. He departed to heaven on 15 February of the year 1806. May God have mercy upon him.

Published for the first time.

<figure><img src="image_767.png" /></figure>

<figure><img src="image_768.png" /><figcaption>AGHAJ-GHALA. The remnants of a medieval castle</figcaption></figure>

Note: Melik Sargis is the forefather of the princely family of the Sargissians. They enjoyed their title and rights until the region joined Russia. Afterwards they preserved their noble title and some land ownership rights (the family tree of the Melik Sargissians was compiled by Sargis Kamalian). See **Aslanian, S., Karapetian, S. Shulaver.** Yerevan, 2002, p. 233, in Armenian.

By the late 19th century, most of the district had been inhabited by some stock-breeding Turkish tribes. The only village to preserve its Armenian population was Krzen, which was left absolutely derelict in the aftermath of the forced deportation of 1988 to 1989.

## ABASKULLAR

This small Turkish village is located 34.5 kilometres south of the district centre, at an altitude of 1,550 to 1,600 metres above sea level.

It was founded in the Soviet years.

<footnote n="1">1 The Persian Documents of the Matenadaran: Decrees (15th to 16th cents.). Translated from the original Persian into Armenian by **Papazian, H.** Yerevan, 1959, pp. 59, 90.</footnote>

<footnote n="2">2 Colophons, 17th century, vol. 2, p. 785.</footnote>

<footnote n="3">3 Brief Chronicles, vol. 1, p. 289.</footnote>

<footnote n="4">4 **Melikset-Bek, L. M.**, vol. 2, p. 51.</footnote>

<footnote n="5">5 Records on Verin Zakam District are mainly found in the 17th century in connection with certain events that took place in the following villages: Gharamurat (1610, 1679), Shakarbek (1633), Sultanetsik (1647, 1671), Melikzata (1652), Papajan and Khavunis (1655).</footnote>
<figure><img src="image_769.png" /></figure>

<figure><img src="image_770.png" /></figure>

<figure><img src="image_771.png" /><figcaption>AGHAJ-GHALA. Shahpekar Monastery</figcaption></figure>

ABDAL

Another small Turkish village, it is situated on the right bank of the river Zakam, 22 kilometres south-east of the district centre, at an altitude of 700 to 750 metres above sea level. It was established after the 1950s.

<figure><img src="image_772.png" /></figure>

<figure><img src="image_773.png" /></figure>

<figure><img src="image_774.png" /></figure>

<figure><img src="image_775.png" /></figure>

AGHAJ-GHALA

**Location.** The village extends on the right bank of the river Zakam, 21 kilometres south-east of the district centre, at an altitude of 1,290 to 1,340 metres above sea level.
<figure><img src="image_776.png" /><figcaption>AGHAJ-GHALA. Partial views of Shahpekar Monastery</figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="image_777.png" /></figure>

The medieval castle of **Aghaj-Ghala** (translated from Turkish as ‘Wooden Castle’), also known by the name of *Shahpekar*, is one of the most remarkable local monuments. Its ruins are preserved at the top of a lofty, rocky mountain towering on the right bank of the river Yekeghetsajur (Kilisasuyu), in the west of Aghaj-Ghala.

The steep sides of the rock secure the natural impregnability of the castle in the south, west and east. Its northern and eastern sections were once fortified by mighty ramparts, whose ruins have survived to a height of 2.5 to 3 metres.

A large mediaeval village site and a cemetery are preserved in the vicinity of the castle, in the east of which a ruined chapel is located. With this respect a record states, “Opposite Aghaj-Ghala, towers Mount

Choban-Seghnakh, with a chapel at its northern foot...”<fnref n="6" />

**Shahpekar (Aghaj-Ghala) Monastery** stands in an elevated plain in a village site located about 6 kilometres south-west of Aghaj-Ghala. The monastic complex, which has been preserved in a semi-ruined state, consists of a church and a destroyed graveyard extending around it.<fnref n="7" />

The church (exterior dimensions: 9.3 x 7 metres) represents a uni-nave vaulted basilica built of undressed and roughly-finished stone and mortar, with its cornerstones mostly finely-dressed. Its gable roof is

<footnote n="6">6 **S. Kamalian** Fund, copy-book No. 1, VI-11, p. 10.</footnote>

<footnote n="7">7 **Barkhutariants, M. Artsakh, p. 58; Voskian, H.** The Monasteries of Artsakh. In: "Handes Amsorea," August to October 1951, p. 34.</footnote>
<figure><img src="image_778.png" /><figcaption>AGHAJ-GHALA. A medieval cemetery known by the name of St. Ghazar</figcaption></figure>

inwardly supported by a vault-bearing arch resting on a pair of pilasters. On the right and left of the main apse are located two vaulted, double-storey vestries, each of them having a semi-circular apse. The walls of the main apse and vestries have small niches. Light penetrates into the building through the windows opening into the 4 facades and widening inside. The entrance to the church opens in the west. Both its outer and inner walls bear some fragments decorated with crosses, and simple, old-styled cross-stones bare of any inscriptions.

The architectural peculiarities of the church trace it back to the 10th to 11th centuries.

During our visit to the monument in the 1980s, we found the middle parts of its walls and some sections of the windows (particularly, the southern ones) lying in ruins.

A cemetery, extending at the top of a mountain rising north-west of Aghaj-Ghala, comprises only three surviving gravestones. This ancient site is known by the name of St. Ghazar.

## AGHBASHLAR

The village is situated on the right bank of the river Zakam, 39 kilometres south of the district centre, at an altitude of 1,040 to 1,160 metres above sea level.

The only person to have investigated the neighbourhood of Aghbashlar is S. Kamalian, who travelled in the region in 1890. Below follows his record on the local monuments, "Leaving Pendekhlu early in the morning, I went north-east and descended the gorge, where several streams merged together, forming the river Zakam. Keeping along the left bank of the river for an hour, I reached a simple, wooden bridge, within 30 steps of which, i.e. on the right bank of the river, on the upper section of the road, the resonant waters of Atti-Bulagh ran. It falls from a crack at a height of 2 arshins so that you can drink its water even on horseback; hence comes its name. Tzatur told me that some silver coins had been found from below a cross-stone lying by the source of the spring. I tried to find it, but in vain. I thought it must be something simple and ordinary, but how great was my amazement when I found out what I had been told about was a natural block of stone. Its southern side bore a large cross with the following inscription,<fnref n="8" /> 'May this Holy Cross protect kind-hearted David, who built Jasat's Bridge in the year 1607 in perpetuation of his soul.' After I had read it, I looked around and caught sight of a part of the bridge pier on the right bank of the river.

"Keeping downwards from Atti-Bulagh, we saw Mharli Gorge on the left side of the river. Then we came across several dwellers at the beginning of the gorge, below which lay the ravine of Chanaghchi. There was another bridge on our way, with its middle part demolished. Due to its dilapidated state, the road, once under construction, had been left incomplete. As my companion told me, that gorge was not difficult to traverse any more, while formerly it was absolutely difficult of access, especially during the periods the river overflowed its banks. Now carts were used for transportation purposes and there was a guard-house, called Keorpi Gyoz, opposite the bridge, on the right bank of the river. Below, on the left lay the gorges of Shamlut and Agh-Dara."<fnref n="9" />

<footnote n="8">⁸ The Armenian original of the inscription reads, «U(nıp)ρ
ψαχυ ρωρεψυν ρωρεψηυν Ἡωρηϊ, ηρ σηιεω
Qαυαυτι ςωστι(ρ)θι ιισωτως ὁηης ιηρης.
ρυ(ηι) ΩχΩ (1607)»:</footnote>

<footnote n="9">⁹ S. Kamalian Fund, copy-book No. 1, VI-11, pp. 34-35.</footnote>
## AGHBULAGH

Aghbulagh extends on the left bank of the stream Asrik, 3 kilometres south-east of the famous monastery of Khoranashat, 16.5 kilometres south of the district centre, at an altitude of 840 to 880 metres above sea level.

It represents a Turkish village founded in the Soviet years in the site of the former Armenian-inhabited village that had been stripped of its population in the 18th century.

The ruins of an old mill are preserved in the centre of the village.

## AGHDAM

This Turkish village, founded in the early 20th century, is located on the left bank of the river Akhenji, 10 kilometres south-west of the district centre.

In 1908 it had 185 Turkish inhabitants who had just changed to a sedentary life.<fnref n="10" />

## AGHDERE

The village, whose historical name has sunk into oblivion, is situated on the left bank of the river Zakam, 29 kilometres south of the district centre, at an altitude of 850 to 900 metres above sea level.

In the second half of the 19th century, it belonged to a certain Turkish landowner named Zulghadarov.<fnref n="11" />

As attested by a visitor of the late 19th century, “The monastery of St. Mkrtich is located on the right bank of the river Zakam, at the foot of Mount Valijan, opposite Aghdere.”<fnref n="12" />

## AHMEDABAD

The village lies on the left bank of the river Zakam, 20 kilometres south of the district centre, at an altitude of 740 to 780 metres above sea level.

Undoubtedly, the village, whose historical name has sunk into oblivion, remained Armenian-inhabited until the 1770s. In the late 19th century, when it belonged to Turkish landowner Zulghadarov,<fnref n="13" /> some cattle-breeding Turkish tribes settled down there.

As stated in a record of 1890, “...To the north of Yelli Dagh extends the gorge of Ahmadi-Bad, opposite which, i.e. on the right bank of the river, the pier of an ancient bridge can be seen. The neighbourhood of the river abounds in all kinds of fruit-bearing trees, as if attesting to the large number of people once dwelling in these gorges and mountains.”<fnref n="14" />

The ruins of a mill can be found at the north-eastern extremity of the village, on the right branch of the river Zakam.

## ALAKYOL

The village, that lies in a plain 16 kilometres south-east of the district centre, at an altitude of 435 to 460 metres above sea level, was established in the Soviet years.

In 1976 it had a population of 2,300.<fnref n="15" />

## ALIBEYLI

The village is located 12 kilometres south-west of the district centre, between 630 and 680 metres of altitude above sea level.

In the late 19th century, the site of the once Armenian-populated village was inhabited by some Turkish stock-breeders.

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>16</sup></td><td>81</td><td>220</td><td>170</td><td>490</td></tr><tr><td>1908<sup>17</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>558</td></tr><tr><td>1914<sup>18</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>597</td></tr></tbody></table>

## ALIMARDANLI

The village lies 7 kilometres north-east of the district centre, at an altitude of 350 to 360 metres above sea level.

Until the late 19th century, the territory of the village served as a winter encampment for some Turkish cattle-breeders who later changed to a sedentary mode of life and took up permanent living there.

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>19</sup></td><td>34</td><td>119</td><td>81</td><td>200</td></tr><tr><td>1908<sup>20</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>616</td></tr><tr><td>1914<sup>21</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>645</td></tr><tr><td>1979<sup>22</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>2273</td></tr></tbody></table>

## ALMALITALA

The village is located on the south-facing slope of a gorge lying on the right bank of the tributary Chanakhchi, on the right bank of the river Zakam, 37 kilometres south of the district centre, at an altitude of 1,100 to 1,160 metres above sea level.

It was founded by some cattle-breeding tribes which had changed to a sedentary way of life in the site of the derelict village in the early 20th century.

<footnote n="10">¹⁰ Caucasian Calendar for 1910, p. 173.</footnote>

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

<footnote n="12">¹² Ibid.</footnote>

<footnote n="13">¹³ Ibid.</footnote>

<footnote n="14">¹⁴ Idem, p. 35.</footnote>

<footnote n="15">¹⁵ SAE, vol. 1, p. 212.</footnote>

<footnote n="16">¹⁶ A Statistical Survey..., pp. 148-149.</footnote>

<footnote n="17">¹⁷ Caucasian Calendar for 1910, p. 178.</footnote>

<footnote n="18">¹⁸ Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 86.</footnote>

<footnote n="19">¹⁹ A Statistical Survey..., pp. 150-151.</footnote>

<footnote n="20">²⁰ Caucasian Calendar for 1910, p. 179.</footnote>

<footnote n="21">²¹ Idem, p. 87.</footnote>

<footnote n="22">²² SAE, vol. 4, p. 181.</footnote>
## ARAN (ARANDUR)

Aran extends about 17 kilometres south-east of the district centre.

Sharing the fate of the other Armenian-inhabited villages of the region, it was stripped of its population in the 1770s.

In the Soviet years, the village was under the jurisdiction of Yankhli Village Council.

The toponym of Arandur is mentioned in an epitaph found in the cemetery of Metz (Greater) Shulaver, where the Armenians of Aran found shelter after they had abandoned their native village.

11 lines in the Armenian original, followed by 2 lines in Georgian, carved on a rectangular tombstone (167 x 67 x 20 centimetres) whose upper part is arched:

Այս է տապան Աննայի` կող/ակից է Ասրգսի, սս է սիրսն ուստա Կարապետի, որ է կեղճար Արանդիէից, որ պրտացէ Աստուա)ծ ողորմի Ք(ա)սին... եան ողորմեսիցի բպ(հ)ն ՈՒԹՅ (1807)-ի:

The Georgian part reads: Ասրգսհսսսս | մեուլե (write in Georgian) (transl.: 'Sargis' spouse').

transl.: In this grave reposes Sargis' spouse An- na, who is the daughter-in-law of Usta Karapet from Arandur Village. May those who... pray for her. In the year 1807.

The Armenian original published in: Aslanian, S., Karapetian, S., idem, p. 45.

## ASHAGHI (NERKIN) AYIPLI

**Location.** The village, adjoining the Tbilisi-Baku railroad, is situated in the area of the lower course of the river Zakam, 19 kilometres south-east of the district centre, at an altitude of 350 to 410 metres above sea level.

**A Historical Introduction.** In the late 19th century, it belonged to 16 Turkish landowners.<fnref n="23" />

**Population.** In 1864 Ashaghi Ayipli served as a winter encampment for a stock-breeding Turkish tribe.<fnref n="24" /> In 1874 the village comprised between 4 and 5 winter encampments scattered within 3 to 5 kilometres of each other in a large steppe. In the same year, it had a population of 1,685 Shiah Muslims who had just assumed a sedentary life.<fnref n="25" />

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>26</sup></td><td>349</td><td>1,189</td><td>922</td><td>2,111</td></tr><tr><td>1908<sup>27</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>2,490</td></tr><tr><td>1976<sup>28</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>5,944</td></tr></tbody></table>

**Economic Life.** Apart from cattle-breeding, the local inhabitants also cultivated thorn-bush, which was not always profitable. With this regard, a contemporary wrote the following in 1890, "The steppes are sometimes in bad need of water. Almost always Ayiplu dries up even before the river Zakam reaches it. These areas are rich in thorn-bush roots. A Turk is known to have gathered 3,000 poods of it in a site belonging to the Railway Department. A pood costing 6 kopecks, he was obliged to pay 2,700 rubles for the place he had been keeping his harvest in. Unable to pay that sum, the Turk took to his heels, and the Railway Department had to sell the thorn-bush by auction, its profit amounting to only 100 rubles..."<fnref n="29" />

## ASHAGHI-GHUSHCHU

This Turkish village lies on the right side of the Touz-Gandzak railway, 6 kilometres south-east of the district centre, at an altitude of 440 to 490 metres above sea level.

Until the late 19th century, its site served as a winter encampment for some stock-breeding tribes which changed to a sedentary life there, yielding up to the demands of the Tsarist Government.

In 1976 the village had 5,316 inhabitants.<fnref n="30" />

## ASHAGHI-MYULKYULYU

Another Turkish village founded in the early 20th century, it is located 7 kilometres north of the district centre, at an average altitude of 350 metres above sea level.

In 1976 it had a population of 1,259.<fnref n="31" />

## ASHAGHI-OKSYUZLYU

The village extends 3 kilometres south-west of the district centre, between 480 and 520 metres of altitude above sea level.

In the late 19th century, some cattle-breeding tribes that lived scattered in a number of winter and summer encampments were forced to yield up to the Government's demand and unite in the site of the present-day village, thus becoming its founders.

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>32</sup></td><td>169</td><td>861</td><td>484</td><td>1,345</td></tr><tr><td>1908<sup>33</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>1,399</td></tr><tr><td>1914<sup>34</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>1,464</td></tr><tr><td>1976<sup>35</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>4,323</td></tr></tbody></table>

<footnote n="23">23 National Archives of Armenia, fund 93, list 1, file 388, pp. 4-5.</footnote>

<footnote n="24">24 Meves, V., idem, in: "Kavkaz," 1865, No. 85, p. 420. See the part devoted to Birgyoz Village of Khanlar District on p. 346.</footnote>

<footnote n="25">25 Caucasian Calendar for 1886, p. 142.</footnote>

<footnote n="26">26 A Statistical Survey..., pp. 76-77.</footnote>

<footnote n="27">27 Caucasian Calendar for 1910, p. 192.</footnote>

<footnote n="28">28 SAE, vol. 1, p. 507.</footnote>

<footnote n="29">29 S. Kamalian Fund, copy-book No. 1, VI-11, pp. 2-3.</footnote>

<footnote n="30">30 SAE, vol. 1, p. 508.</footnote>

<footnote n="31">31 Ibid.</footnote>

<footnote n="32">32 A Statistical Survey..., pp. 148-149.</footnote>

<footnote n="33">33 Caucasian Calendar for 1910, p. 339.</footnote>

<footnote n="34">34 Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 168.</footnote>

<footnote n="35">35 SAE, vol. 1, p. 509.</footnote>
## ASHRALAR

Ashralar represents a small village lying on the left bank of the river Zakam, 28 kilometres south of the district centre, at an altitude of 830 to 900 metres above sea level.

It was established in the site of a once Armenian-inhabited village in the Soviet years.

## ASRIK-JERDAKHAN

The village is situated on the left bank of the river Asrik, 2.5 kilometres north-east of the famous monastery of Khoranashat (in present-day Tavush Marz of the Republic of Armenia), 14 kilometres south of the district centre, at an altitude of 740 to 810 metres above sea level.

The village having been stripped of its Armenian population in the 1770s, its site became a new place of living for some stock-breeding Turkish tribes which changed to a sedentary life there in the early 20th century.

In 1979 it had 1,722 inhabitants.<fnref n="36" />

## AZAPLI

The village extends in a plain lying on the left bank of the river Asrik, 8 kilometres south-east of the district centre, at an altitude of 550 to 600 metres above sea level.

By the second half of the 19th century, some cattle-breeders of Turkish origin had already taken up residence in the site of the village that had been stripped of its Armenian population in the 1770s.

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>37</sup></td><td>92</td><td>395</td><td>322</td><td>717</td></tr><tr><td>1908<sup>38</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>512</td></tr><tr><td>1914<sup>39</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>529</td></tr><tr><td>1976<sup>40</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>976</td></tr></tbody></table>

## BAKKALI

The village, dating back to the Soviet years, is located on the southeast-facing slope of the eastern branch of Mount Bakkali (1,733 metres), that towers in the area between the rivers Asrik and Zakam, 22 kilometres south of the district centre.

## BAYRAMLI

The village is situated on the right bank of the river Asrik, 10 kilometres south-east of the district centre, between 590 and 660 metres of altitude above sea level.

It was founded in the late 19th century by the stock-breeding Turkish tribe of Bayramli. During the same period, it belonged to the Sultanovs' family of Turkish landowners.<fnref n="41" />

In the mid-19th century, the Bayramli lived a nomadic life, which made it rather difficult to carry out a trustworthy population census among them. That is the reason why the official number of the local inhabitants 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>42</sup></td><td>214</td><td>606</td><td>464</td><td>1,070</td></tr><tr><td>1908<sup>43</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>1,831</td></tr><tr><td>1914<sup>44</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>923</td></tr></tbody></table>

## BEYUK-GHESHLAGH

Beyuk-Gheshlagh represents a Turkish village extending on the left bank of the river Asrik, 31 kilometres south of the district centre, at an altitude of 1,430 to 1,600 metres above sea level.

It was established in the site of a derelict Armenian village in the Soviet years, with the objective of turning the Armenian village of Artzvashen into an enclave.

In 1976 it had 2,800 inhabitants.<fnref n="45" />

## BOZALGHANLI

The village, adjoining the district centre of Touz in the east, is located at an altitude of 410 to 420 metres above sea level.

The stock-breeding tribe of Bozalghanli lived a nomadic life in the 1860s, which made it rather difficult to carry out a trustworthy population census among them and compile the lists of tax payers. With this regard, a contemporary writes the following, "Well, let us suppose that Bozalghanli Village, having 152 houses, should be taxed. It extends up to our district and Shirak, its houses being located within long versts of each other. It is utterly difficult to establish the occupation of the local inhabitants: they are said to be stock-breeders, which obliges them to change their places of living constantly, so that the tax collectors find it almost impossible to trace them in due time..."<fnref n="46" />

In the late 19th century, Bozalghanli belonged to landowner Yusup Bey Khanbudaghov.<fnref n="47" />

<footnote n="36">36 SAE, vol. 4, p. 235.</footnote>

<footnote n="37">37 A Statistical Survey..., pp. 146-147.</footnote>

<footnote n="38">38 Caucasian Calendar for 1910, p. 175.</footnote>

<footnote n="39">39 Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 84.</footnote>

<footnote n="40">40 SAE, vol. 1, p. 133.</footnote>

<footnote n="41">41 National Archives of Armenia, fund 93, list 1, file 388, pp. 14-15.</footnote>

<footnote n="42">42 A Statistical Survey..., pp. 78-79.</footnote>

<footnote n="43">43 Caucasian Calendar for 1910, p. 196.</footnote>

<footnote n="44">44 Caucasian Calendar for 1915, p. 95.</footnote>

<footnote n="45">45 SAE, vol. 2, p. 288.</footnote>

<footnote n="46">46 Meves, V., idem, p. 440 (the original reads, "Положим, что из деревни Бозаганлы, имеющей 152 дыма, следует собрать подать. Эта деревня раскинута и в нашем уезде и в Ширакском приставстве, а дым от дыма отстоит на десятки верст; сказать наверно, чем занимаются жители этой деревни очень трудно; почти все они, как говорят, скотоводы, а как скотоводы не живут на месте долго ни летом, ни зимою, то во время взноса податей их очень трудно отыскать сборщику").</footnote>

<footnote n="47">47 National Archives of Armenia, fund 93, list 1, file 388, pp. 30-31.</footnote>