ARTSAKH HISTORICAL MONUMENTS

Khachakap 73 Monuments

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

Location

The village is situated on the south-facing slope of a gorge lying in the valley of one of the left tributaries of the river Artinajur, 4 kilometres north of the district centre, at an altitude of 1,090 to 1,230 metres above sea level.

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 173.

Name Origin

There exist a number of versions etymologizing the name of the village. Thus, a record states, “...The neighbourhood of the village abounds in stones bearing ancient cross reliefs: hence the name of Khachakap derives.” According to another source, “...these cross-stones were erected by St. Mesrop after he had uprooted the last traces of paganism in Gardman on local prince Khurs’ permission. The village was called Khachakap, or Khachapak in commemoration of that event.”

'Khach' is the Armenian equivalent for 'Cross.' “Nor-Dar,” 1886, No. 65, p. 1.
Lalayan, Yer. Gandzak District. In: “Azgagrakan Handes,” vol. 5, Tiflis, 1899, No. 1, p. 313.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 173.

The Persians and later the Turks called the village Ghushchi, that name being etymologized in the following way: “During one of Shah Abbas’ incursions into the region, a local inhabitant named Grigor attempted to catch a hawk and present it to him. Unfortunately, however, he fell down from a rock and smashed himself up to death. Learning about that, the shah decided to give the village to Grigor’s father as a gift, but the man refused to accept it, asking him to liberate the whole village community from the yoke of invaders so that they would pray for his dead son's soul. The shah met his request and named the village Ghushchi.”

‘Ghush' is the Armenian equivalent for 'Hawk.' Lalayan, Yer. Gandzak District. In: “Azgagrakan Handes,” vol. 5, Tiflis, 1899, No. 1, p. 313.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 173.

Historical Introduction

Archaeological Monuments. The territory of Khachakap has been inhabited since time immemorial, which is attested by the results of the excavations ’ Archaeological Society held in 1903: “On the third of last May, he came across an inscribed stone within a verst of Khachakap Village. Seemingly, it bears a cuneiform inscription which, however, can not be easily declared a piece of written speech, for it does not have regular lines. The stone, which resembles a reference-book, should be brought to Tiflis and delivered over to the Archaeological Society. “During the excavations near the village of Khachakap, Schultz unearthed an ancient cemetery comprising huge blocks of stone, apparently, once moved there from a distance of 15 to 20 versts. Each of them is two arshins long and weighes between 40 and 50 poods. The grave-yard, which extends from the south-west to the north-east, retains some agate beads and bronze articles, including daggers, bracelets, spears, knives, head brooches, etc. So far, however, specialists have not established what purposes they were once used for. Two small holes, seen along a bronze knife, make it particularly remarkable…”

Lalayan, Yer. Gandzak District. In: “Azgagrakan Handes,” vol. 5, Tiflis, 1899, No. 1, p. 313.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 173.

Construction Activity
1890 y․

A visitor who saw Khachakap in the 1890s reports the following about it, “Most of the dwellings are sunken, the others representing single- or double-storied houses.”

“Mshak,” 1903, No. 117, 3 June, p. 1.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 173.

Population
19 c․

The available statistical data on the local population show a continuous increase in their number between the early 19th century and the 1910s. In the course of some years, however, certain changes could be observed due to resettlement or lethal infectious diseases. Thus, in 1884 about 30 families abandoned their native village because of the shortage of arable lands and founded a new village called Armavir not far from Getashen Village of Khanlar District. Between November 1899 and April 1900, smallpox took away the lives of 29 children.

“Mshak,” 1900, No. 77, p. 2.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, pp. 173-174.

According to the inhabitants of Khachakap, the local family of the Prazians was from Shatakh Village of Dashkesan District.

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 175.

1839 y․

Below follows a list of the local residents found in an archive document of 1839:

“ Gevorg Shahdinarov, his wife Aziz, their son Karapet, his wife Zani, as well as their children Khachatur, Harutiun and Horom; Gevorg’s brothers Mnatsakan and Vardan, the former’s wife Zani, their children Sargis, Harutiun and Horom; the latter’s wife Herik, their daughter Javahir, as well as their sons Hovsep, Haron, Shapakayn, Maki and Baghdasar;
Ghukas Harutiunian, his mother Khatun, his wife Anna, their sons Mateos, Arakel, Sargis, Grigor and Movses with his wife Marinos; Ghukas’ brothers Hovhannes and Karapet, the former’s wife Gyuli, their children Arzuman, Salbi and Parunna; the latter’s wife Anna, their son Khachatur, as well as their daughters Mariam and Nazani;
Harutiun Grigorian, his mother Vari, his wife Sirunna, their children Sona, Grigor and Martiros; Harutiun’s brother Hakob, his wife Tangi and their daughter Zada;
Verdi Harutiunian, his wife Antaram, their children Arustam, Karapet, Mariam and Sirunna;
Mkhitar Gabrielian, his mother Anna, his wife Margaret, their daughter Javahir, their sons Hovhannes, Nerses and Harutiun with his wife Mariam; Mkhitar’s brother Vardan, his wife Mariam and their daughter Marmar;
Aghabab Harutiunian, his mother Mariam, his wife Anna, their children Arzuman, Sahak and Sirunna; Aghabab’s sisters Tellu, Margaret and Herik, as well as his brothers Hayrapet and Galust with his wife Heriknaz;
Yeremia Hovsepian, his wife Mariam, their sons Vardan, Mkhitar, Grigor, Voskan with his daughter Pari, as well as Aram with his wife Tamar and his daughter Horom; Yeremia’s brothers Sargis and Hakob with his wife Herik, as well as his daughters Guli and Mariam;
Avag Mnatsakanian, his brother Harutiun, their sisters Mariam and Sirunna, as well as their mother Javahir;
Maki Soghomonian, his wife Tellu, their sons Karapet, Grigor, Soghomon with his wife Sabet and his daughter Javahir, as well as Martiros with his wife Sandukht and their children Ghazar, Verdi, Horom and Herik;
Sargis Ananian, his wife Sandukht, their sons Theodoros, Papi, Badal, Arzuman and Harutiun; Sargis’ brother Ohannes and his wife Sharmagh;
Badal Stepanian, his wife Tellu, their children Karapet and Khatun; Badal’s mother Margaret, as well as his brothers David, Mkrtich, Ohannes and Harutiun;
Karapet Ohannissian, his wife Vardi, as well as their children Ohannes, Grigor, Harutiun, Anakhas, Sirunna and Mariam; Karapet’s brother Badal and his wife Sirunna;
Barsegh Avagian, his mother Mariam, his wife Anna, their son Bozi and their daughter Horom; Barsegh’s brothers Harutiun, Arzuman and Grigor with his wife Gyuli;
Tzatur Harutiunian, his wife Aziz, their daughters Herik and Horom; Tzatur’s mother Sandukht, his brother Gabriel, his wife Herik, as well as their children Badal, Harutiun and Gyuli;
Petros Badalian, his wife Parunna, as well as their children Vardi, Sargis and Harutiun; Petros’ brothers Andreas, Hayrapet, Harutiun and Poghos with his wife Mariam and his son Harutiun; Petros’ nephews 1. Grigor with his wife Aziz, his son Tzatur and his daughter Mariam, and 2. Ohannes with his wife Sarah, as well as his sons Hovakim, Arustam, Yengibar and Petros;
Mkrtich Ghazarian, his wife Sabed and their son Ghazar; Mkrtich’s mother Margaret, as well as his brothers Harutiun and Khachatur;
Movses Sargissian, his wife Pari, as well as their sons Beglar and Arustam; Movses’ mother Herik, as well as his brothers Mirza, Ohannes, Tzatur and Grigor;
Sargis Petrossian, his wife Magtagh, as well as their children Badal, Anakhanum and Horomsim; Sargis’ brother Hakob, his wife Sandukht and their son Beglar;
Khachatur Ohanian and his wife Mariam.”

National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3800, pp. 27-28.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 175.

Armenian-Turkish Fights of 1905 to 1906
1905 y․

The Turkish mob, attacking the neighbouring Armenian villages, did not spare Khachakap either. On 14 September 1905, “The Turks attempted to drive away the cattle belonging to the local inhabitants, but some guards from Chovdar freed the animals from their hands in a place called Saruyal and returned them to their owners.”

“Arshaluys,” 1905, No. 17, 20 September.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 176.

Great Patriotic War

Khachakap participated in World War II with 397 of its residents, 197 of whom sacrificed their lives on the battle-field. Their grateful fellow villagers built a memorial and a museum in the settlement in perpetuation of their memory.

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 176.

Lieutenant Colonel Grigor Karapet Baghian (1914 to 1965) was awarded the honourary title of Hero of the Soviet Union for his valour and great commanding skills. Later he was promoted to Major-General.

For further information on G. Baghian, see Ghalachian, K. Memorials of Glory: An Album. Yerevan, 1986, pp. 31-32, in Armenian.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 176.

Type Photo
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Colour Negative
Date 1980 — 1982 yy․

Type Photo
View Partial view
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Black-and-white negative
Date 1980 — 1982 yy․

Type Photo
View Partial view
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Colour Negative
Date 1980 — 1982 yy․

Name	Year/Century	Etymology
Ghushchi

The available statistical data on the number of Khachakap’s population between 1804 and 1917 represent the following picture:

Dates	Armenian Houses	Armenians (Male)	Armenians (Female)	Total (Armenians)	Notes	Source
1804	8	30	23	53		Collected Acts of the Caucasian Archaeological Commission, vol. 2, Tiflis, 1868, p. 596. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 175.
1839	19	144	90	204		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3800, p. 28. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 175.
1845		258	254	512		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3811, pp. 4-5. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 175.
1847		215	205	420		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3814, pp. 96-97. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 175.
1849		215	210	425		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3818, pp. 96-97. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 175.
1852		239	217	456		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3819, pp. 106-107. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 175.
1861	40					National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3835, pp. 148-149. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 175.
1866	54	419	343	762		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3848, p. 57. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 175.
1870		459	378	837		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3857, pp. 49-50. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 175.
1872		550	485	1035		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3872, pp. 62-63. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 175.
1873				957		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3864, pp. 39-40. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 175.
1874				961		Caucasian Calendar for 1886, Tiflis, 1885, p. 125. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 175.
1875				968		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3866, pp. 44-45. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 175.
1876				985		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3868, pp. 57-58. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 175.
1877		517	468	985		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3869, pp. 54-55. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 175.
1878		536	469	1005		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3870, pp. 22-23. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 175.
1881		551	479	1030		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3873, pp. 27-28. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 175.
1882		570	482	1052		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3874, p. 30. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 175.
1883		583	475	1058		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3875, pp. 56-57. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 175.
1885	73	585	523	1108		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3877, p. 30. Also see “Ardzagank,” 1885, No. 4, p. 51. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 175.
1886	114	676	637	1313	In some other sources the number of the village population oscillates between 100 (“Nor-Dar,” 1886, No. 65, p. 1) and 78 houses (“Ardzagank,” 1886, No. 21, p. 310).	Yelizavetpol Province: A Statistical Survey Based on the Family Lists of Caucasia's Population. Tiflis, 1888, pp. 82-83. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 176.
1887		638	562	1200		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3880, p. 73. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 176.
1888		653	586	1239		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3882, p. 131. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 176.
1889		663	589	1252		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3884, pp. 227-228. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 176.
1890		677	607	1284		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3887, p. 150. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 176.
1891		699	631	1330		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3889, p. 149. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 176.
1892		696	634	1331		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3891, p. 121. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 176.
1893		725	644	1369		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3895, pp. 78-79. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 176.
1894		744	654	1398		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3896, pp. 174-175. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 176.
1897		817	729	1546		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3899, pp. 147-148. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 176.
1898		832	747	1579		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3897, p. 169. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 176.
1899		838	751	1589		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3903, pp. 126-127. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 176.
1900		857	773	1630		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3905, pp. 92-93. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 176.
1901		881	791	1672		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3906, pp. 98-99. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 176.
1902		891	811	1702		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3907, pp. 23-24. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 176.
1905		894	814	1708		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 312, pp. 23-24. Սամվել Կարապետյան, Հյուսիսային Արցախ, Երևան, 2004, էջ 214:
1906		964	865	1829		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3915, p. 24. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 176.
1907				1514		National Archives of Armenia, fund 56, list 1, file 240, p. 2. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 176.
1908	206	760	740	1500	Another statistical source of 1908 mentions 1,660 inhabitants for this year (Caucasian Calendar for 1910, Tiflis, 1909, p. 303).	National Archives of Armenia, fund 35, list 1, file 559, p. 10. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 176.
1909		909	832	1741		National Archives of Armenia, fund 56, list 18, file 764, p. 117. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 176.
1910		383	376	759		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3917, pp. 58-59. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 176.
1912		923	341	1264		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3919, pp. 62-63. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 176.
1914				661		Caucasian Calendar for 1915, Tiflis, 1914, p.149. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 176.
1917	119			1013		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: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 176.