ARTSAKH HISTORICAL MONUMENTS

Kirants 18 Monuments

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

Location

The village, which is surrounded by bare hills, is situated on the south-west-facing slope of a gorge lying on the left bank of the Vochkharajur, i.e. the left tributary of the river Artinajur, 3 kilometres north-west of the district centre, at an altitude of 1,230 to 1,380 metres above sea level.

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, pp. 196-197.

Historical Introduction

The Turks referred to Kirants by the name of Seyidkend.

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 197.

19 c․

Written records regarding Kirants can be found only in some press publications, archive documents and a number of topographical works of the late 19th century. Despite this fact, however, the historical monuments preserved both in the village and its neighbourhood show that it has been inhabited since time immemorial, also attesting that it was populated by the Armenians beginning with at least the early Middle Ages.

Resler, E. Archaeological Research in Transcaucasia. In: “Kavkaz,” Tiflis, 1903, Nos. 179 173, 179, p. 2. Working in the neighbourhood of Kirants in 1899, E. Resler unearthed and excavated several burial mounds dating back to the period between the Bronze and Iron Ages.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 197.

19 c․

In the late 19th century, the village belonged to Turkish landowners Vali Bey, Mahmed Agha Abul-Bey oghli and Soyun Agha Novruz-Agha oghli.

National Archives of Armenia, fund 93, list 1, file 388, pp. 37-38.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 197.

Population

Kirants inhabitants are considered to be natives of the village, although some of them are known to have resettled there from Ghabaghtapa.

Barkhutariants, M. Artsakh. Baku, 1895, p. 287.
Lalayan, Yer. Gandzak District. In: “Azgagrakan Handes,” vol. 5, Tiflis, 1899, No. 1, p. 314.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 197.

1804 y․

The available statistical data relating to the local population between 1804 and 1917 reveal an increase in their number, which reached a maximum of 723 in 1908. Although in the course of some years, resettlement and various lethal infectious diseases caused reduction in the number of Kirants Armenians, their growing rate was always remarkably high.

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 197.

1899 — 1900 yy․

Thus, between November 1899 and April 1900, 24 children fell victim to a raging epidemic of smallpox; in the meantime, however, the village population showed increase.

“Mshak,” 1900, No. 77, p. 2.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 197.

1839 y․

Below follows a list (1839) of Kirants’ inhabitants which is of great significance to the study of the history of local families:

“Hakob Manucharian, his wife Anayi, their sons Khachatur, Poghos as well as their daughters Khallu and Javahir; Hakob’s nephews 1. Yesayi with his wife Herik as well as his sons Maki and Beglar; 2. Sahak with his sister Margaret; Hakob’s brother Hovhannes, his wife Vari, their sons Mesrop and Petros with his wife Herik and his son Maki;
Zakaria Manucharian, his wife Mariam, their daughter Salbi as well as their sons Vardan and Aghajan;
Hovhannes Margarov, his wife Khatayi, their daughter Salbi, their sons Harutiun, Poghos, Martiros with his wife Khatayi, and Sargis with his wife Sandukht, his son Avet and his daughter Margaret;
Galust Margarov, his wife Horom, their daughter Margaret as well as their sons Simeon and Grigor with his wife Pari and his son Khachatur;
Kochar Gabrielian, his mother Gayane, his wife Herik, their daughter Tangi as well as their sons Grigor and Khachatur; Kochar’s nephew Verdi, his wife Mariam, their daughter Sabed as well as their sons Melik and Ohannes;
Tanes Movsissian, his wife Tamam, their daughter Vari, their sons 1. Aghajan with his wife Horom, his daughter Khatun as well as his sons Melkum and Mkrtich; 2. Hovsep with his wife Tamam and his daughter Taguhi; Tanes’ brother Ohan, his wife Nazlukhan as well as their sons Mnatsakan and Papi with his wife Taguhi;
Ghazar Ter-Zakarian, his daughters Herik and Zani, his sons Galust, Grigor, Mateos and Yesayi with his wife Voski; Ghazar’s brother Ohanes, his wife Nazi, their daughter Anakhas as well as their sons Hakob, Mkrtich and Vardazar;
Yesayi Ter-Zakarian, his wife Herik as well as their sons Avet, Tzatur and Navasard; Yesayi’s brothers 1. Avag with his wife Sirunna and his son Grigor; 2. Vardan with his wife Margaret as well as his sons Sargis and Harutiun; Yesayi’s nephews Mnatsakan, Hovhannes and Harutiun with their mother Horom;
Karapet Ter-Zakarian, his wife Khatayi, their daughter Pari, their sons Mkrtich, Mnatsakan and Grigor with his wife Paronna;
Karapet Sarukhanian, his wife Mariam, their daughter Tangi as well as their sons Ghuli, Voskan and Vardan; Karapet’s brothers 1. Adam with his wife Sabed, his son Mkrtich as well as his daughters Annman, Taguhi and Magtagh; 2. Sarukhan with his wife Margaret, his son Hovhannes as well as his daughters Vardi and Sirunna;
Ohannes Harutiunian, his wife Gyuli as well as their son Sahak and their daughter Aziz; Ohannes’ brother Virap and his wife Mariam;
Onan Ter-Martirossian, his daughter Salbi, his sons Martiros and Sargis with his wife Aziz as well as his son Gevorg and his daughter Tellu.”

National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3800, p. 29.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, pp. 197-198.

Great Patriotic War

Kirants participated in World War II with 197 of its inhabitants, 93 of whom did not return from the battle-field.

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 199.

Monuments

Some other cross-stones are preserved on Katnasar rising in the north-east of the village.

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 203.

A general view of the village from the road leading to Kaghni Khach Monastery Type Photo
View General
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Black-and-white negative

Name	Year/Century	Etymology
Seyidkend
Sharukkar

Below follow the available statistical data on the number of Kirants’ population between 1804 and 1917:

Dates	Armenian Houses	Armenians (Male)	Armenians (Female)	Total (Armenians)	Notes	Source
1804	8	26	21	47		Collected Acts of the Caucasian Archaeological Commission, vol. 2, Tiflis, 1868, p. 596. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 198.
1839	12	81	71	152		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3800, p. 29. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 198.
1845		134	94	228		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3811, pp. 4-5. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 198.
1847		104	97	201		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3814, pp. 96-97. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 198.
1849		112	94	225		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3818, pp. 96-97. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 198.
1852		126	115	241		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3819, pp. 106-107. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 198.
1861	29					National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3835, pp. 148-149. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 198.
1866	24	156	124	280		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3848, pp. 57. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 198.
1872		237	125	362		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3872, pp. 62-63. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 198.
1873				304		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3864, pp. 39-40. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 198.
1875				311		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3866, pp. 44-45. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 198.
1876				326		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3868, pp. 57-58. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 198.
1877		219	110	329		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3869 pp. 54-55. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 198.
1878		225	118	343		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3870, pp. 22-23. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 198.
1881		238	127	365		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3873, pp. 27-28. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 198.
1882		240	134	374		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3874, p. 30. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 198.
1883		241	132	373		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3875, pp. 56-57. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 198.
1885		181	172	353		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3877, p. 30. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 198.
1886	35	237	199	436	According to another source, the village had a population of 28 houses in the same year (“Ardzagank,” 1886, No. 21, p. 310).	Yelizavetpol Province: A Statistical Survey Based on the Family Lists of Caucasia's Population. Tiflis, 1888, pp. 84-85. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 198.
1887		204	201	405		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3880, p. 73. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 198.
1888		216	203	419		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3882. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 198.
1889		216	210	426		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3884, pp. 227-228. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 198.
1890		218	214	432		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3887, p. 150. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 198.
1891		224	224	448		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3889, p. 149. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 198.
1892		227	219	446		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3891, p. 121. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 198.
1893		230	224	454		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3895, pp. 78-79. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 198.
1894		237	229	466		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3896, pp. 174-175. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 198.
1897		255	267	522		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3899, pp. 147-148. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 198.
1898		266	276	542		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3897, p. 169. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 199.
1899		269	281	550		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3903, pp. 127-128. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 199.
1900		277	293	570		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3905, pp. 92-93. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 199.
1901		287	305	592		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3906, pp. 98-99. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 199.
1902		298	314	612		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3907, pp. 23-24. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 199.
1905		303	315	618		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3912, pp. 266-267. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 199.
1906		323	330	653		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3915, p. 24. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 199.
1907				710		National Archives of Armenia, fund 56, list 1, file 240, p. 2. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 199.
1908	93	356	367	723	According to another statistical source of 1908, Kirants had a population of 775 that year (Caucasian Calendar for 1910, Tiflis, 1909, p. 363).	National Archives of Armenia, fund 35, list 1, file 559, p. 10. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 199.
1909		362	361	723		National Archives of Armenia, fund 56, list 18, file 764, p. 117. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 199.
1910		369	361	730		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3917, pp. 58-59. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 199.
1912		372	364	736		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3919, pp. 62-63. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 199.
1914				665		Caucasian Calendar for 1915, Tiflis, 1914, p. 180. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 199.
1917	45			277	These figures seem highly improbable and cannot be considered trustworthy.	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. 199.