Banants :: ARTSAKH LOCATIONS

482 Monuments

Azerbaijan (Country) / Northern Artsakh (Area) / Dashkesan (District) / Banants (Village)

Location

The village is situated on the southeast-facing slope of a gorge lying on the left bank of the river Artinajur, on the ancient highway of Banants-Karhat, which also leads to the Sevan Basin, 7 kilometres north-east of the district centre, at an altitude of 1,000 to 1,100 metres above sea level.

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 64.

Name Origin

The toponym of ‘Banants’ derives from the Armenian word ‘bananots,’ which means a ‘place of work.’

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 64.

Means of Communication

Being under Banants Armenians’ permanent care, the highway, that extended through the village, and especially, its Banants-Gandzak Section, repeatedly underwent reconstruction. Before 1870, however, it was so difficult of passage that it bore a close resemblance to a path rather than a road. It was in that very same year that a local inhabitant named Hovsep Ter-Israyeliants started building and soon completed a highway stretching up to Gandzak at 3,000 rubles, his fellow villagers actively participating in its construction. They also erected a stone bridge to facilitate traffic even further.

"Nor-Dar," 1887, No. 113, p. 3.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 64.

1884 y․

In 1884 village head A. Ter-Avetikian embarked upon the construction of the second road leading to Gandzak, which was of great help to those owning gardens a long way from Banants.

"Nor-Dar," 1887, No. 113, p. 3.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 64.

1903 y․

Meeting the suggestion of the Governor of Gandzak, in 1903 the Village Assembly decided to open a cart-road to Gandzak. With 242 voices supporting the idea, the participants agreed that it should extend not from the spring of Meketz5 but from a place called Nerkin Hand (the Armenian equivalent for Lower Field), where the gardens of Banants lay. Although it required harder efforts to be completed, it was sure to be of greater benefit in the future.

"Mshak," 1903, No. 135, p. 2.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, pp. 64-65.

1923 y․

The general condition of the roads connecting Banants with the adjacent villages did not get any better in the subsequent years. With this regard, a visitor wrote the following in 1923, “The poor state of the highways and the difficulty of communication make one cover about 10 versts either on foot or on different animals, for there are absolutely no roads for carts or carriages. Last year head of the “Azerbaijani Oil” Serebrovski promised to provide Banants with the building material necessary for the construction of roads, if only the village gained the right to have its own railway carriage...”

"Martakoch," 1923, No. 177 (26 September), in Armenia.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 65.

Monuments
1899 y․

Archaeological Monuments. The neighbourhood of Banants is rich in a great number of tumuli, which attests that the area of the middle course of the river Artinajur has been densely-populated since time immemorial. In 1899 German archaeologist Emil Resler, one of the first scholars to conduct investigation into the tombs of the area, wrote, “...I unearthed 14 tombs with 17 graves dating from the period between the Bronze and Iron Ages.”

Resler, E. Archaeological Research in Transcaucasia. In: “Kavkaz,” Tiflis, 1903, No. 179, p. 2 (the original reads, “...изследовал 14 гробниц и курган с 17 могилами. Все эти могилы принадлежат ко времени перехода бронзоваго века в железный”).
Hamamchian, E. The Burial Mounds of Banants Village. In: “Azgagrakan Handes,” second year, part 2, Tiflis, 1897, pp. 308-315, in Armenian.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, pp. 65-66.

The archaeological finds of Banants include a cuneiform inscription.

Ter-Avetissian, S. Karabakh’s Monuments of Antiquity and the Scythian Problem. Tiflis, 1934, p. 11, in Russian.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 66.

Historical Introduction
1625 y․

Despite Banants’ centuries-old existence and the glorious past it surely boasts, the history of the village is very scantily recorded. One of the earliest sources mentioning the toponym traces back to 1625, when “...both the old and the young of Banants...” participated in the mending of a Gospel (1453), the main work being carried out by a certain Hovhannes Shatakhetsy.

Colophons of the Armenian Manuscripts of the 17th century, vol. 2. Compiled by V. Hakobian, A. Hovhannissian, Yerevan, 1978, p. 186.
A Catalogue of Armenian Manuscripts of the Matenadaran after Mashtots, vol. 2, Yerevan, 1970, manuscript No. 10669, all volumes in Armenian.
Barkhutariants, M. Artsakh, p. 279.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2004, p. 66.

19 c․

In the late 19th century, the village was the residence of landowners Hovsep Bey Ter-Israyeliants and Hovsep Ter-Hovsepiants, who owned a local site called Aghkhach (Shahdagh).

National Archives of Armenia, fund 93, list 1, file 388, pp. 32-33.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 66.

1905 — 1906 yy․

On the whole, Banants did not suffer any damage during the Armeno-Turkish fights of 1905 to 1906, for the Turkish mob did not dare to attack the village openly. Some of its inhabitants, however, did not escape the ambushes set up by the enemy. Thus, on 16 March 1906, Karapet Baliants, his nephew and two sons were killed while grazing 65 head of cattle: the bandits slew the 9-year-old boy and shot the others.

“Mshak,” 1906, No. 63, p. 1.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 66.

1906 y․

On 16 May of the same year, Zakar Shahmuradiants, another local resident of 34, fell victim to some Turks who had been lying in ambush for him.

See his epitaph Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, pp. 66, 120, 140.

1906 y․

On 19 September 1906, Artem Atanassian was shot by a treacherous bullet: “On the morning of the 19th, unspeakable fuss and tumult permeated Banants: a young man walked through the village weeping bitterly, hitting his head and mourning his brother’s loss. To the people’s question what had happened, the dumbfounded fellow told them the following, ‘My brother and I were on our way to the Armenian village of Karhat. We had already reached Orhneli Ser when all of a sudden a report was heard from among the bushes, and my brother, who was a few steps ahead of me, was knocked down. I myself had a miraculous escape from the bandits.’ “The young fellows of the village immediately took up arms and hurried to the scene of the tragedy. After a two-hour search, they finally managed to find Artem Atanassian’s corpse, blood-soaked and shot in three parts. One of the most courageous young men in the village, he had just been demobilized...”

‘Ser’ is the equivalent for ‘Mountain Branch’ in Karabakh dialect. ‘Orhneli’ is that for ‘Blessed’ in Armenian. National Archives of Armenia, fund 227, list 1, file 381, p. 5.
Samvel Karapetian, N orthern artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, pp. 66-67.

1918 — 1920 yy․

Between 1918 and 1920, inhabitants of Banants Colonel Yegor Ter-Avetikian and Grigor Ohanian (Tatoghli) distinguished themselves at the battles against the Turkish aggressors and Musavatist bandits.

See “Hayastani Hanrapetutiun,” 1995, No. 199, p. 4 (in Armenian) for further information about G. Ohanian.
“Gardmank,” 1998, No. 6 (11), in Armenian.
“Krtutiun yev Gitutiun Artsakhum,” 2001, Nos. 1-2, p. 84, in Armenian.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 67.

The Armenians of Banants used to celebrate the festival of Vardavar with great solemnity.

An ancient pagan festival, after the adoption of Christianity (301), Vardavar changed into the Feast of the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ. Ter-Michaelian, S. The Festival of Vardavar in Banants. In: "Ardzagank," 1884, No. 30, p. 449, in Armenian.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 75.

Construction Activity
1886 y․

In 1886 a visitor wrote that Banants was remarkable for its “...densely-located houses some of which boasted cosiness and comfort...”

“Ardzagank,” 1886, No. 20, p. 295.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 67.

1898 y․

In 1898 the village was described in the following way, “It has some crooked paths which are only an apology for streets. Most of its houses consist of ordinary rooms the oldest of which were built some 33 years ago. The rest represent small, sunken cabins.”

Lalayan, Yer. Gandzak District. In: “Azgagrakan Handes,” vol. 5, Tiflis, 1899, No. 1, p. 308.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 67.

Banants has several quarters named after different families. Thus, the lower section of the village, beginning from the river bank and extending westward, is called Terunts after the Terians20 The Ter-Mkrtchians’ and Balians’ (Kash-Avagians’) Quarters lie west of it, i.e. in the centre of the village, in the north of which the Lokians’ (Lokunts) and Kikians’ (Kikunts) houses are situated. Parallel with the development and enlargement of Banants, another two quarters were established on the right bank of the river Artinajur. One of them, called Aygestan, is more known by the name of Dimats Tegh (the Armenian equivalent for an ‘Opposite Place’). The other, which is named Eliants, is located in the vicinity of the ancient site of Yeghetsy Hogh (the Armenian equivalent for ‘Church Land’). The centre of the village, where six principal roads intersect, represents a small square called Poghotsk.

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 67.

19 — 20 cc․

Before 1988 one could see several dwellings of flat earthen roofs standing side by side with double- and even three-storey stone edifices in the village. Banants was distinguished for its residential buildings which were rich in construction inscriptions, the oldest of them dating from the first half of the 19th century.

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 78.

Population
BC 4 — BC 3 mm․

From at least the 4th to 3rd millennia B.C. until the deportation of 1989, Banants was one of the most populous villages in Northern Artsakh. This is attested by the abundance of large cemeteries (they date from the pre-Christian era and the Middle Ages) as well as standing and ruined churches and chapels preserved in its neighbourhood.

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 67.

19 c․

In contrast to this, records on the number of the local population can be found only beginning with the early 19th century. The analysis of the available data reveals that they constantly increased during the period between the 19th century and the establishment of the Soviet rule.

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 67.

1839 y․

The following list of families living in Banants in 1839 is of special importance to the study of their history:

“ Maki Chopuriants, his mother Sandukht, his wife Mariam as well as his son Yesayi and his daughter Nazi; Maki’s brother Hakob, his wife Anakhas and his son Hovhannes; Maki’s nephew Harutiun with his niece Yeghisabet;
Abraham Mosesov together with his wife Mariam and his son Petros; Abraham’s brothers Harutiun, and Hakob with his wife Mariam and his son Hovhannes;
Zakar Melikov, his wife Mariam, his children Stepan and Herik as well as his brother Avag;
Grigor Poghosov, his wife Mariam and their daughter Zani; Grigor’s brother Dadi and his wife Shoghakat;
Ghukas Jaladov and his wife Gyuli with their son Martiros and their daughter Vardi; Ghukas’ sister Mariam and his brother Virap with his wife Salbi;
Ohanes Melikov, his sister Sabed as well as his brothers Tzatur and Galust;
Sahak Zuliov, his wife Mariam as well as his nephew Grigor and his niece Mariam;
Sargis Barseghov, his wife Yeghisabet, their son Martiros as well as their daughters Herik and Margaret;
Poghos Kostiov, his wife Margaret as well as their son Andreas and his wife Sabed; Poghos’ nephew Vardan, his wife Horomsim and their daughter Nazi;
Barber Sargis, his wife Sirun as well as their sons Maki with his wife Mariam and his son Gevorg, and Grigor with his wife Anakhas and his daughter Mariam;
Ovanes Ayvazov, his wife Marinos, their son Mosi as well as their daughters Herik and Sabed; Ovanes’ brother Daniel, his wife Margaret as well as their son Maki and their daughter Rehan;
Grigor Shahumov, his wife Margaret as well as their children Hakob, Sarah and Herik;
Grigor Thorosov, his wife Khanum as well as their children Makar, Nazi and Zani;
Gabriel Ter-Mkrtchiants and his wife Gayane together with their son Rusian and his wife Sabet; Gabriel’s daughter-in-law Shoghakat, her son Gevorg, his wife Mariam and their son Ohannes; Gabriel’s brother Harutiun, his wife Herik and their son Stepan;
Petros Vanian, his wife Gyuli as well as their sons Avag and Khachatur; Petros’ brother Poghos, his wife Mariam as well as their daughters Magtagh and Gyuli;
Khachatur, his wife Guli as well as their children Karapet and Horomsim;
Stepan Ter-Avetissian, his wife Margaret as well as their children Grigor, Ohanes and Khatun; Stepan’s brother Harutiun, his wife Shoghi and their daughter Magtagh;
Nerses Chelalov, his wife Marinos as well as their daughters Nazi and Herik; Nerses’ brother Ghazar and his wife Margaret;
Grigor Avagian, his sons Vardan with his wife Mariam, and Sargis with his daughters Horom and Zani; Grigor’s nephew Ghukas and his wife Margaret;
Ohanes Petrosov, his wife Mariam and their son Arzuman; Ohanes’ nephew Maki, his wife Zani as well as his brothers Ghukas and Navasard;
Arakel Ter-Ohanov, his wife Herik as well as their children David and Sabet; Arakel’s nephew Yesayi, his wife Mariam as well as their children Mkrtich, Sandukht and Rehan;
Harutiun Shushapazian and his wife Sarah with their children Sargis, Gozal, Pari and Herik; Harutiun’s brother Grigor, his wife Herik and their son Mkrtum;
Ohanes Ananiants with his wife Mariam and his mother Nazi;
Karapet Gulunts, his wife Marinos as well as his children Sargis, Shoghi and Mariam;
Karapet Tzapovian, his wife Horomsim as well as his brother Ohannes with his spouse Sarah and his son Poghos;
Grigor Manishakov, his wife Khanum as well as their children Stepan, Mariam and Khatun; Grigor’s brother Poghos, his wife Aziz as well as their daughters Ana and Sarah;
Ghuli Ter-Yeghian and his wife Khatun with their son Harutiun and their daughter Vari;
Ohan Hakobian, his wife Shoghakat as well as their son Grigor with his wife Khanum; Ohan’s brother Ghazar and his grandchild Kyuli;
Harutiun Zakarian, his wife Aziz as well as their children Sargis, Barsam, Horom and Margaret; Harutiun’s brother Hanes, his wife Mariam as well as their children Mateos, Karapet and Vari;
Hakob Dapiov, his wife Sabet, their sons Virap and Stepan as well as their daughters Herik and Magtagh; Hakob’s brother Grigor, his wife Yeghisabet as well as his children Karapet, Marinos and Vari;
Martiros Badalian and his wife Nazi with their children Anton, Pari and Vardi; Martiros’ brother Harutiun and his wife Dada;
Moses Ghabuzov, his wife Shahpar, their son Harutiun as well as their daughters Sona and Ana;
Aghajan Nalbandov, his wife Mariam as well as their children Ohanes, Nerses, Yeghisabet and Magtagh; Aghajan’s nephew Hovsep, his wife Anna as well as their sons Anton, Zaki and Vari;
Sargis Grigorov and his wife Yeprosine with their son Galust, their daughter-in-law Mariam and their grandchild Ohannes; Sargis’ brothers Galust, and Barsegh with his wife Sabed; Sargis’ nephew Avet, his wife Margaret as well as their children Poghos, Vardi and Khatun;
Tsakan Adeanov, his wife Mato, their children Harutiun, Rehan and Herik as well as Tsakan’s brother Maki;
Aghajan Mateossian, his wife Sabed and their son Mateos with his wife Khanum; Aghajan’s brother Sargis, his wife Mahalep (Mahpep) as well as his children Harutiun, Poghos and Shoghi;
Papa with his wife Javahir, his sons Gabriel, Grigor and Maki as well as his daughters Vari and Khanum;
Margar Banuchian, his wife Horom and their son Maki with his wife Mariam and his son Ohannes; Margar’s brother Avag, his wife Nazi as well as their children Stepan, Grigor, Marinos, Khatun and Sandukht;
Ohan Ter-Khachaturian and his wife Marinos with their son Grigor, his wife Mariam and his children Sabed and Hovsep; Ohan’s nephew Ghevond, his wife Gyuli and their son Hanes with his wife Vardi; Ohan’s brother Ohannes with his children Ghevond, Poghos, Mariam and Sabed;
Hovsep Tusiov, his wife Gyuli as well as their children Stepan, Moses and Mariam; Hovsep’s brother Grigor, his wife Sandukht as well as their children Hakob, Petros and Poghos;
Hovsep Ter-Osepian’s son Nerses, his nephew Grigor as well as his sister Zani and his brother Sargis;
Moses Voskanian, his sons Mnatsakan and Hovhannes, his nephew, widower Avet with his sons G... and Karapet;
Ghazar Arakelian and his wife Margaret; Ghazar’s brother Grigor, his wife Nazi and their daughter Mariam;
Theodoros Hakobian, his wife Vardi, his mother Sharmagh as well as his brother Karapet with his wife Aziz and his daughter Mariam;
Abraham Hovakimian, his wife Mariam as well as their children Rehan and Theodoros; Abraham’s brothers Martiros, and Maki with his wife Sandukht as well as his children Herik and Karapet;
Ghuli Hayrapetian, his brother Karapet, his wife Zari as well as his son Maki with his spouse Guli;
Galust Ter-Ghukasov, his wife Mariam as well as their children Mateos and Vardi; Galust’s brother Ohan and his wife Horomsim;
Sargis Muntoyan, his wife Mariam as well as their children Ohanes, Grigor, Galust and Ana;
Martiros Dalakian, his wife Mariam as well as their children Hanes, Marinos, Zari and Vardi.”

National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3800, pp. 33-34.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, 2007, pp. 67-72.

The inhabitants of Banants were distinguished for their longevity. One of them, Musunts Hay, died at the age of 103: “Recently Musunts Mnatsakan yielded up his spirit to God, having lived on the earth for a hundred and three years: he was born in 1801...” Musunts Hay was buried “...at the top of a mountain called Tati Ser, which towered near the village. His fellow villagers were convinced that the old man’s soul would keep a watchful eye on his birthplace from that height, ever asking the Lord to have mercy upon it...”

‘Hay,’ i.e. the Armenian equivalent for ‘Armenian,’ was an honourary title used with reference to people held in great esteem in the village. "Mshak,” 1903, No. 162, p. 2.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 72.

1989 y․

With the last inhabitants deported on 27 July 1989, the Armenian spirit finally died away in the centuries-old village.

Danielian, A. Banants Totally Abandoned Before My Very Eyes. In: “Gardmank,” 1996, No. 3, p. 16, in Armenian.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 73.

The former Armenians of Banants, now reduced to the state of refugees, mainly resettled in the subdistricts of Vardenis (Gegharkunik Marz) and Meghri (Syunik Marz) of the Republic of Armenia.

Chalumian, M. The Deportees from Banants in Armenia. In: “Gardmank,” 1996, No. 3, p. 16, in Armenian.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, pp. 73-74.

Occupation

Mining. Apart from being occupied with different crafts, Banants Armenians “...used to be engaged in trade and iron processing: they obtained metal from the iron ore found in the nearby mountains and made various tools. However, the iron imported from Russia turning out cheaper, they were soon obliged to give up that business, especially taking into account the fact that the authorities had started taxing coal heavily.”
With this regard, Yerkatakarian, one of the correspondents of the “Nor-Dar” periodical, writes, “Some fifty to sixty years ago, Banants Armenians dug the soil to a great depth and obtained round iron ores which were then crumbled into tiny pieces with a huge hammer, put into a furnace and fused together. In that manner, they extracted iron to make tools necessary for the villagers. At present the immense holes whose depth petrifies everybody are the only reminders of those days. It is already a long time since the local inhabitants quitted the processing of iron.”

“Ardzagank,” 1886, No. 20, p. 295.
“Nor-Dar,” 1888, No. 148.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 74.

Coal Mining. Directly connected with mining, this craft was quitted parallel with the cessation of iron processing and the reduction of wooded areas.

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 74.

19 c․

Farming. In the mid-19th century, the people of Banants were in bad need of land: “Despite the fact that the number of the local inhabitants is increasing year by year, their means of existence remain absolutely the same. Although they have multiplied for several times, they are still fed on the same amount of bread as some fifty years ago. Moreover, at present everybody attempts to earn his living through farming, since they have no other means of income, whereas in those times, husbandry was concentrated in the hands of only a few families. The arable lands, however, are highly insufficient: the yearly share of the soil allocated to every house amounts to 2 to 3 oravars, which yield a very scanty amount of wheat.”
The shortage of land was so acute that some of the local inhabitants even thought of leaving Banants and resettling somewhere else.

‘Oravar,’ a unit of measure indicating the size of tilled soil, is equal to about 8/11 hectares. Deriving from the Armenian words ‘or,’ i.e. ‘day,’ and ‘var,’ i.e. ‘to plow,’ it means ‘an area of land that can be plowed within a single day.’ “Nor-Dar,” 1888, No. 148.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, pp. 74-75.

Economic Life

Banants used to have seven iron processing mills.

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 74.

Village Heads
1878 — 1886 yy․

Throughout its history, Banants had a great number of outstanding village heads some of whom are mentioned below: Stepan Hovhannissiants’ governance (1878) marked the foundation of a stone bridge (1886) over the river Artinajur. It was completed within a year at 2,000 rubles allocated by the villagers.

National Archives of Armenia, fund 56, list 1, file 5901, p. 48.
“Nor-Dar,” 1887, No. 113, p. 3.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 78.

1884 y․

In 1884 A. T. Avetikian initiated the construction of the second road leading to Gandzak.

"Nor-Dar," 1887, No. 113, p. 3.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 78.

1903 y․

In 1903 Hovsep Ter-Hovsepiants held the post of village head.

National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 2492, p. 192.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 78.

1906 y․

In 1906 S. Hakobiants was elected village head, an archive document stating the following with that regard, “...2 October. Today we gathered to elect a new village head and unanimously gave our voices for Sargis Hakobiants, Mamikon Badaliants being appointed his assistant. All the villagers were pleased with the results of the elections...”

National Archives of Armenia, fund 227, list 1, file 560, p. 26.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 78.

1913 y․

In 1913 “the local inhabitants unitedly elected Garegin Yepiskopossian as village head and Hovhannes Seyranian as his deputy...”

"Horizon," 1913, No. 266, p. 3.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 78.

Priests
17 y․

Due to the populousness of Banants, beginning with at least the 17th century, two, three, sometimes even more priests served there simultaneously. This is also true of the 19th century.

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 101.

1865 — 1893 yy․

Thus, in 1865 it had three, in 1886 two, and in 1893 three spiritual shepherds.

“Nor-Dar,” 1889, No. 204, p. 2.
National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1,file 3893, pp. 193-194.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 101.

The available sources have enabled us to make up the following chronological list of these clergymen.

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 101.

1600 y․

Father Grigor died in 1600.

His tombstone represents a khachkar set inside Sourb Astvatzatzin Church. Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 101.

17 c․

Priests Melikset, Akob and Astvatzatur served in the village in the 17th century.

He has a similar gravestone which is placed in the same church. The cross-stones (17th century) erected in perpetuation of their memory were later removed and placed on the northern cornice of Sourb Astvatzatzin Church. Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 102.

18 c․

Mkrtich Barseghian (according to his epitaph, he died in 1716) and Grigor Nadiriants (he died in 1761, as attested by his epitaph) performed priestly duties in the 18th century.

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 102.

18 — 19 cc․

Priests Mkrtich (he died in 1791), Avag and David served Banants between the 18th and 19th centuries, this being confirmed by their epitaphs.

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 102.

1772 y․

Avetik Khachatrian Ter-Avetikiants, who was ordained in 1772 by Bishop Yeprem of Banants’ Targmanchats Monastery, consigned his soul to God in 1822, although his epitaph mentions another year (1809).

National Archives of Armenia, fund 56, list 1, file 5901, pp. 1, 48.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 102.

1811 y․

Israyel Petrossian Ter-Hovsepiants died in 1811, as attested by his epitaph.

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 102.

1816 — 1861 yy․

In 1816 prior of the aforementioned monastery Bishop Gabriel promoted Stepanos Avetikian Ter-Avetikiants (he died in 1861) to the fourth degree of religious service. His son, lawyer Michael (he was born in 1826 and lived in Gandzak), had three children: Michael, born in 1863, Stepan, born in 1866, and Levon, born in 1867.

National Archives of Armenia, fund 56, list 1, file 5901, pp. 1, 44-45, 67.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 102.

1841 y․

Father Grigor died in 1841, as attested by his epitaph.

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 102.

1820 — 1849 yy․

Petros Ter-Israyeliants, mentioned in 1843, was ordained in 1820 and died in 1849.

National Archives of Armenia, fund 56, list 1, file 1356, p. 1, idem, fund 53, list 1, file 3818, pp. 96-97. Also attested by the epitaph carved on his gravestone.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 102.

1850 y․

Hovhannes Yepiskopossiants performed priestly duties in 1850. His family comprised his wife Anna as well as their children Poghos, Shoghakat and Mariam.

National Archives of Armenia, fund 56, list 1, file 2596, p. 110.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 102.

1850 — 1864 yy․

Grigor Ter-Israyelian, mentioned in 1850 among the 4 sextons of Banants, was ordained in 1859 and yielded up his spirit to God in 1864.

National Archives of Armenia, fund 56, list 1, file 2596, p. 110. Idem, fund 53, list 1, file 3833, pp. 126-127.
“Mshak,” 1878, No. 187, p. 2. Also attested by the epitaph carved on his gravestone.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 102.

1850 — 1894 yy․

Andreas Vardanian Ter-Michaeliants (he died in 1894), mentioned in 1850 among the 4 sextons of the village, was ordained on 5 February 1861. His sons were Michael, born in 1865, Levon, born in 1866, and Grigor, born in 1872. He taught at the local parish school in 1875 and blessed Banants’ newly-erected school building in 1888.

National Archives of Armenia, fund 56, list 1,file 2596, p. 110; idem, fund 53, list 1, file 3893, pp. 193-194; idem fund 56, list 3,file 52, p. 45.
“Nor-Dar,” 1888, No. 13 (4 February), p. 1. Also attested by the epitaph carved on his gravestone.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 102.

1840 — 1908 yy․

Poghos Ter-Hovhannissian Yepiskopossiants, born in 1840, was ordained on 9 March 1859. His family consisted of his wife Taguhi (she died in 1901) as well as his 5 sons: Aram, born in 1862 (he died in 1892); Hovhannes, born in 1866; Simon, born in 1872; Artashes, born in 1879, and Garegin, born in 1881. A Patriarchal bull issued in 1888 approved his membership of the Board of Trustees of the local school. In compliance with another bull (1890), he gave up his post of Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Getashen’s one-year boys’ school for Mesrop Ter-Grigoriants to occupy it. Poghos Ter-Hovhannissian is also mentioned in 1908.

National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3893, pp. 193-194.
“Ararat,” 1888, p. 129.
National Archives of Armenia, fund 35, list 1, file 11, p. 6, idem, fund 53, list 1, file 817, p. 7. Also attested by the epitaph carved on her gravestone.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 102.

1860 y․

Yervand (secular name: Stepanos) Mkrtchian Ter-Michaeliants, born in 1860, was a graduate of the Religious Seminary of Yerevan. In 1892 Echmiatzin Synod granted him permission to be ordained priest in Banants Village, which was carried out on 11 October of the same year. In 1904, when Father Yervand still served the village, he had four children: Yeranuhi, born in 1898; Stepanos, born in 1900; Armik, born in 1903, and Yervandanuysh, born in 1905.

National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 795, p. 24; idem fund 461, list 1, file 12, pp. 61-62.
“Ararat,” 1892, p. 565.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 102.

1910 y․

In 1910 reference is made to Grigor Ter-Avetikiants.

National Archives of Armenia, fund 458, list 1, file 184, p. 7.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 102.

Monuments

Banants was also rich in mills which were located all along the gorge and functioned at the expense of the river Artinajur.

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 84.

19 — 20 cc․

Banants is famous for its memorial springs chiefly based on the local waterwork, although originally there were some others whose water was conveyed from other places through clay pipes.
The main springs running in the centre of the village were as follows: Poghotsk, Yants, Kikunts (Cheghalunts) as well as Bnichants (the Banuchiants’) and Ghurukh (the former was built by goldsmith Maki Kikunts).
Shinutagh and Khach, two stone springs with taps, flowed in the vicinity of the village, their water reaching them through clay pipes.
Most of the aforementioned springs were either built or repaired between the 19th and 20th centuries. The construction inscriptions of the last two of them were preserved until the Armenians’ deportation of 1988 to 1989.

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, pp. 130-131.

Each of the small bridges built over the stream flowing through the centre of the village represents a structure of undressed stone and mortar, with a semi-circular vault and a span of 3 metres on average.

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 84.

Outstanding Personalities
1868 — 1918 yy․

Melik Melikian (born in 1868, he died in Baku in 1918) was a famous revolutionary known by the pseudonym of ‘Dedushka,’ i.e. the Russian equivalent for ‘Grand-father.’ A bust, set up in the north-eastern part of Banants, keeps his memory alive in his fellow villagers’ hearts.

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 142.

1868 — 1937 yy․

Stepan Ter-Avetikiants (1868 to 1937), who was also known by the name of Banantsetsy, i.e. ‘an inhabitant of Banants,’ was a publicist, writer (his works were mainly based on village themes) and a public figure. Graduating from Tiflis’ Teachers Training Institute in 1889, he worked as a teacher and an inspector in Pyatigorsk as well as Karabakh, Gandzak and Tiflis Uyezds of Yelizavetpol Province. Stepan Ter-Avetikiants, whom the peasantry of Yelizavetpol Province elected as deputy of the Second State Duma in 1907, also collaborated with a great number of newspapers as a correspondent.

Soviet Armenian Encyclopedia, vol. 11, Yerevan, 1985, p. 663. St. Ter-Avetikian is the author of a number of works in Armenian, including “Kap Brnogh” (“Luma,” 1896, part 2, pp. 229-248); “Mer Ter” (“Luma,” 1897, part 1, pp. 97-132); “Hayr Surb” (“Luma,” 1897, part 2, pp. 187-221); “Zpogh” (“Luma,” 1898, part 1, pp. 160-190), etc.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 142.

1888 — 1942 yy․

Arshak Tonian (1888 to 1942), a graduate of Echmiatzin Gevorgian Jemaran (1906) and Halle University (1914), was a pedagogue, a mathematician and a lexicographer. From 1909 until 1910, he taught Mathematics in the diocese school of Shushi (at present a city in the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh). In 1914 to 1921, he worked in Tiflis’ Nersissian and Hovnanian Schools, continuing his activity in Yerevan State University between 1921 and 1937.

Jemaran is an institution of higher education. Soviet Armenian Encyclopedia, vol. 12, Yerevan, 1986, p. 59.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 143.

19 c․

In the mid-19th century, therapeutist Mekhak Ter-Michaelian, engineer Levon Ter-Michaelian, lawyer Hovhannes Israyelian and others were distinguished in Banants.

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 142.

Type Photo

The village in the 1920s (above)

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Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Black-and-white negative

The village in 1985

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Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Black-and-white negative

The village in 1985

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Author Artak Ghulian
Source Black-and-white negative

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Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Black-and-white negative

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Author Samvel Karapetyan
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View of the central quarters

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Author Hovhannes Badalian

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Author Hovhannes Badalian

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Author Hovhannes Badalian
Source Colour Negative

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Author Hovhannes Badalian

Partial view of the village quarters remarkable for their densely-erected buildings

Type Photo
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Date 1980 — 1982 yy․

Type Photo
Author Hovhannes Badalian

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Author Hovhannes Badalian
Source Colour Negative

The gate

Type Photo
Author Hovhannes Badalian

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Author Hovhannes Badalian
Source Colour Negative
Date 1980 — 1982 yy․

Type Photo
Author Artak Ghulian

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Direction From the south-west
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Colour Negative
Date 1980 — 1982 yy․

Type Photo
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Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Colour Negative

Type Photo
Author Samvel Karapetyan

Type Photo
Author Hovhannes Badalian

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Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Black-and-white negative
Date 1980 — 1982 yy․

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Author Samvel Karapetyan

Type Photo
Author Artak Ghulian
Date 1980 — 1982 yy․

Type Photo
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Author Artak Ghulian
Source Black-and-white negative
Date 1980 — 1982 yy․

Type Photo
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Date 1980 — 1982 yy․

Type Photo
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Date 1986 y․

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Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Black-and-white negative
Date 1980 — 1982 yy․

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Direction From the south-east
Author Samvel Karapetyan

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Author Samvel Karapetyan
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Date 1886 y․

A general view of the village which lies stripped of its Armenian inhabitants since 1988.

Type Photo
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Author Artak Ghulian
Source Colour Negative

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Author Artak Ghulian

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Author Artak Ghulian
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Type Photo
Author Hovhannes Zakarian

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Direction From the north-east
Author Hovhannes Badalian
Source Colour Negative

A local quarter adjoining the two churches standing in the centre of the village

Type Photo
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Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Colour Negative

A yard

Type Photo
Author Hovhannes Zakarian

Type Photo
Author Hovhannes Badalian

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Author Hovhannes Badalian
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Children enjoying their childhood in their native village. Ditto

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Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Colour Negative
Date 1986 y․

An aged woman named Sabet in the Chalumiants' house

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Source Black-and-white negative
Date 1908 y․

Stepan Ter Avetikian

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Date 1908 y․

Vazgen Ter-Avetikian (sitting above) Stepan Ter-Avetikian with Lusik Vazgen Ter-Avetikian in his arms.

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Author Samvel Karapetyan
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Residents of Banants. The fighters of Colonel Yegor Ter-Avetikian

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Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Black-and-white negative

Sitting: Poghos Poghossian (Kachal), Atanes Tnisants, Maki Ohanian (Sayunts); standing: Sargis Badalian (Muradants), Hovhannes Anton Seyranian (Bor-bor) and Stepan Ton Tonian (his father moved to Banants from Tonashen Village of Jraberd). Photo 1908

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Residents of Banants. Grigor Ohanian(Tatoghli)

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Residents of Banants. A warrior (1918).

The available statistical records on the number of the population of Banants between 1804 and 1917 represent the following picture:

Dates	Armenian Houses	Armenians (Male)	Armenians (Female)	Total (Armenians)	Notes	Source
1804	51	100	80	180		Collected Acts of the Caucasian Archaeological Commission, vol. 2, Tiflis, 1868, p. 596 (in Russian). In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 72.
1839	49	191	191	382		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3800, pp. 33-34. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 72.
1845		477	414	891		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3811, pp. 4-5. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 72.
1847		485	439	916		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3814, pp. 96-97. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 72.
1849		509	438	947		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3818, pp. 96-97. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 72.
1850	118	519	509	1028		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1; ibid, fund 56, list 1, file 2596, p. 110. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 72.
1852		529	517	1046		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3819, pp. 106-107. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 72.
1853		536	523	1059		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 2743, pp. 16-18. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 72.
1854		553	527	1080		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3825, pp. 68-69. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 72.
1856		582	562	1144		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3828, p. 112. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 72.
1857		589	579	1168		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3830, pp. 74-75. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 72.
1858		595	582	1177		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3831, pp. 41-42. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 72.
1860		599	584	1183		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3833, pp. 108-109. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 72.
1861	75					National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3835, pp. 147-148. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 72.
1863		620	580	1200		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3843, pp. 15-16. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 72.
1864		635	595	1230		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3846, pp. 23-24. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 72.
1865	103	640	595	1235		“Nor-Dar,” 1889, No. 204, p. 2. Also see National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3848, pp. 49-50. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 72.
1866	146	709	573	1282		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3848, p. 57. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 72.
1872		964	874	1838		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3872, pp. 62-63. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 72.
1873				1644		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3864, pp. 39-40. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 72.
1874				1560		Caucasian Calendar for 1886, Tiflis, 1885, p. 124. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 72.
1875				1704		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3866, pp. 44-45. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 72.
1876				1739		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3868, pp. 57-58. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 72.
1877		923	843	1766		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3869, pp. 54-55. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 72.
1878		929	836	1765		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3870, pp. 22-23. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 72.
1881		990	883	1873		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3873, pp. 27-28. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 72.
1882		1021	911	1932		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3874, p. 30. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 72.
1883		1003	884	1887		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3875, pp. 56-57. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 72.
1885		950	900	1850		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3877, p. 29. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 72.
1886	174	1135	860	1995	According to another statistical source, the village had 272 houses in the same year (“Nor-Dar,” 1889, No. 204, p. 2).	Yelizavetpol Province: A Statistical Survey Based on the Family Lists of Caucasia's Population. Tiflis, 1888, pp. 78-79 (in Russian). In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 72.
1887		1029	925	1954		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3880, p. 73. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 72.
1888		1063	951	2014		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3883, p. 131. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 72.
1889		1076	952	2028		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3884, pp. 226-227. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 72.
1890		1104	981	2085		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3887, p. 150. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 72.
1891		1144				National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3889, p. 149. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 72.
1892		1198	1131	2329		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3891, p. 121. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 72.
1893		1221	1145	2366		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3895, pp. 77-78. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 72.
1894		1232	1180	2412		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3896, pp. 174-175. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 72.
1897		1326	1279	2605		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3899, pp. 147-148. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 72.
1898		1374	1312	2686		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3897, p. 169. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 72.
1899		1382	1316	2698		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3903, pp. 126-127. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 72.
1900		1390	1333	2723		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3905, pp. 91-92. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 73.
1901		1436	1365	2801		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3906, pp. 97-98. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 73.
1902		1431	1384	2815		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3907, pp. 23-24. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 73.
1905		1448	1392	2840		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3912, pp. 266-267. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 73.
1906		1516	1412	2928		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3915, p. 24. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 73.
1907				2310		National Archives of Armenia, fund 56, list 1, file 240, p. 2. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 73.
1908	262	1156	930	2086	The village had 2,070 inhabitants in the same year (Caucasian Calendar for 1910, Tiflis, 1909, p. 201).	National Archives of Armenia, fund 35, list 1, file 559, p. 10. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 73.
1909		1462	1394	2856		National Archives of Armenia, fund 56, list 18, file 764, p. 117. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 73.
1910		1203	971	2174		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3917, pp. 57-58. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 73.
1912		1508	1423	2931		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3919, pp. 62-63. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 73.
1914				2390		Caucasian Calendar for 1915, Tiflis, 1914, p. 98. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 73.
1917	400			2596		Avetissian, M. M. A Reference Book on the Settlements and Population Number of Nagorno Karabakh and Zangezur (1917). In: "Banber Hayastani Arkhivneri," 1991, No. 3, p. 166, in Armenian. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 73.
1976				1675		Soviet Azerbaijanian Encyclopedia, vol. 1, Baku, 1976, p. 541. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 73.