ARTSAKH HISTORICAL MONUMENTS

Barsum 31 Monuments

Azerbaijan (Country) / Northern Artsakh (Area) / Shamkhor (District) / Barsum (Village)

Location

The village extends on the south-facing slope of a gorge lying on the left bank of the river Shamkor, 20 kilometres south of the district centre, at an altitude of 770 to 850 metres above sea level.

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 460.

Historical Introduction

As legend has it, Barsum was founded by 35 Armenian families from Ani (Shirak District, Ayrarat Province, Metz Hayk): “Originally, this village had a population of 35 houses, i.e. the former inhabitants of Ani who had moved there under the leadership of Melik-Arustam the Bagratid...”

“Nor-Dar,” 1893, No. 47, p. 3.
Also see Barkhutariants, M. Artsakh. Baku, 1895, p. 318.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, pp. 460-461.

It was also known by the name of Pastun.

“Nor-Dar,” 1893, No. 47, p. 3.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 460.

17 y․

The Melikdom of Barsum. In the early 17th century, Barsum enjoyed the status of a princely residence: it was the seat of the Melik-Arustamiants, who also held power over Karatak, Verin (Upper) and Nerkin (Lower) Ghotyul, Matznaberd and other adjacent villages (they had been granted the title of Melik by Shah Abbas). The most prominent representative of this noble family was Melik Arustam (1722 to 1794), a distinguished public figure and politician in Transcaucasia (a manuscript dating back to the 18th century is known to have been created especially for him). In 1794 he fell victim to a treacherous plot in Gandzak and was buried near the southern wall of the gavit of the local church of St. Hovhannes.

See Barkhutariants, M. Artsakh. Baku, 1895, pp. 319-320 for detailed information about the Melik-Arustamiants.
A Catalogue of Armenian Manuscripts of the Matenadaran after Mashtots, vol. 2, Yerevan, 1970, manuscript No. 9153, p. 882; Below follows the translation of his versified epitaph, “In this grave repose the remains of valorous Melik Arustam of ever-living memory from the family of the Armenian Bagratids, who ruled in Barsum, Gandzak Province. Born in 1722, he died in the year 1794” (Barkhutariants, M. Artsakh. Baku, 1895, pp. 320-321; Lalayan, Yer. Gandzak District. In: “Azgagrakan Handes,” vol. 5, Tiflis, 1899, No. 1, p. 268; Corpus Inscriptionum Armenicarum, part 5. Compiled by Barkhudarian, S. Yerevan, 1982, p. 228).
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 461.

19 c․

After Melik Arustam’s death, in the early 19th century, part of Barsum residents emigrated to Tiflis, where they founded the quarter of Havlabar. Some time later, however, the prince’s descendants returned to their native village and resettled in their family estates. At the close of the century, the Melik-Arustamiants held sway over Karatak, Anchikopor as well as Verin and Nerkin Ghotyul.

National Archives of Armenia, fund 93, list 1, file 388, pp. 33-34.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 461.

Means of Communication
1884 y․

In 1884 on Priest Yeprem Melik-Arustamiants’ initiative and through the financial assistance of local police officer Javad Bey Melik-Shahnazariants, “...the roads leading to the nearby mountains...” were renovated “...at 1,500 rubles...”

“Nor-Dar,” 1893, No. 47, p. 3; 1884, No. 121, p. 2.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 461.

Population
1839 y․

An archive document dating back to 1839 has preserved a list of 28 families dwelling in Barsum:

“ Avag Galustian, his wife Aziz, their son Avet and their daughter Magtagh; Avag’s brother Sargis, his wife Zani, their sons David and Grigor, the latter’s wife Ghumash as well as their children Sarah and Margar;
Harutiun Tzaturian, his wife Sirunna, their son Aghajan with his wife Gyulvard and his daughter Gayine, Aghajan’s daughter-in-law Varvara, his sons Mkrtich and Karapet with his wife Taguhi;
Babajan Tzaturian with his spouse Mariam;
Minas Galustian, his wife Khatayi as well as their son Movses and their daughter Zari;
Apres Melikov, his wife Mariam, their sons Avag and Grigor with his wife Khanum;
Gabriel Ohanov, his wife Horomsim, their sons Minas and Yeremia with his wife Horomsim and his daughter Mariam;
Gabriel Sargissian, his wife Khatun as well as their sons Khachatur with his wife Tellu, and Grigor with his wife Taguhi;
Hayrapet Ananian, his mother Yeghisabet, his wife Anakir and their son Avetis;
Harutiun Kirakossian, his wife Yeghisabet as well as their sons Hovhannes and Sargis with his wife Anna;
Khachatur Ohannesov, his mother Gyulpara, his wife Sandukht as well as their sons Grigor and Hovhannes; Khachatur’s brother Harutiun, his wife Yeghisabet and their son Margar;
Hovhannes Mkrtchian, his wife Khatun, their sons Grigor with his wife Rehan, and Arakel with his spouse Vardi as well as his children Ghahraman and Taguhi;
Khachatur Tzaturian, his mother Mariam, his wife Nazlukhan as well as their daughters Horomsim and Azizkhanum; Khachatur’s brothers Petros with his wife Sabet and his son Ohanes, and David with his spouse Magtagh and his daughter Voski;
Maki Mkrtchian, his wife Ghumash as well as their children Vardi and Vardan; Maki’s brother Babi, his wife Mariam, their son Khechatur and their daughter Shoghakat;
Hayrapet Aghabekov, his sons Hovsep with his wife Rehan and his daughter Tellu, and Hovakim with his wife Mariam as well as his children Khachatur and Shoghakat;
Martiros Harutiunian, his wife Mariam, their son Hovakim, his wife Javahir as well as their daughters Aziz and Manushak;
Arakel Shahnazarian, his wife Nazlukhan and their son Maghakia;
Nerses Martirosov, his mother Khanum, his wife Antaram as well as their son Galust and their daughter Gyullu;
Hovhannes Aghabekov, his mother Varduhi, his wife Mariam as well as their son Baba and their daughter Horom;
Harutiun Hakobian, his wife Shahgul as well as their son Avetik and their daughter Zari;
Harutiun Aghamalov, his wife Nazlukhan, their sons Avetik with his wife Margaret, and Hovhannes with his spouse Pari and his son Andreas;
Harutiun Cherkezov, his wife Shamam and their son Ohan; Harutiun’s brother Babi, his wife Sarah and their daughter Mariam;
Arakel Voskanov, his mother Khatun, his wife Shoghakat as well as his son Avetis and his daughter Khanum;
Sargis Adamian, his mother Shamam, his wife Anna as well as their children Yesa and Tamam; Sargis’ brother Galust and his wife Herik;
Khachatur Nazarian, his wife Shoghakat as well as their son Hovakim and their daughter Aziz;
Harutiun Gharagozian, his wife Mariam, their daughter Aziz as well as their son Sahak with his spouse Varduhi;
Ohannes Gabrielov, his wife Sabet, their sons Khachatur with his wife Aziz, and Mkrtich with his spouse Magtagh and his daughter Nazlukhan;
Babi Sargissian, his wife Vari and their daughter Sabet; Babi’s brother Aza and his wife Sabet;
Ghahraman Tayirian, his wife Mariam and their son Karapet; Ghahraman’s brother Stepan, his spouse Shamam as well as their sons Mnatsakan and Vardazar.”

National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3800, p. 28.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, pp. 461-462.

As is apparent from this table, the population of Barsum showed constant growth beginning with 1914. In the course of some years, certain reduction could be observed in their number due to resettlement and various infectious diseases. Their number drastically plummeted down in the 1920s, when some of them moved to a plain on the left bank of the river Shamkor and established a new village named Barsum-Sar there.

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 463.

1988 y․

Forced to abandon their native village during the deportation of 1988, the inhabitants of Barsum took up residence in Karmir District (i.e. present-day Gegharkunik Marz of the Republic of Armenia).

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 463.

Construction Activity
1878 y․

In 1878 Barsum comprised about 120 houses, all of them built after the style of glkhatun181 with the exception of a single one: “...I found the classroom absolutely unfit for lessons, mainly for lack of illumination: light penetrated there from the yerdik. ...All the local buildings were constructed in the same fashion, except for one whose owner refused to rent it out to the school...”

A type of ancient, hipped-roof dwelling in the mountainous regions of Armenia. It represents a stone building of stepped wooden roofing with a yerdik (an opening in the ceiling used as a chimney and for the purpose of illumination.) in its centre. “Mankavarzhakan Tert,” 1878 to 1879, p. 15.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 463.

19 c․

According to a visitor of the late 19th century, “The village, which is devoid of regular streets, is divided in two parts: its inhabitants generally spend winter in the first one which lies in the gorge, the terrible summer heat typical of that area making them move to the second, extending at the top of a mountain rising on the left, at a distance of four versts. The local houses abut on each other so that sometimes the roof of one of them serves as a yard for the other. The village barns and cattle-sheds are located in its second part.”

Lalayan, Yer. Gandzak District. In: “Azgagrakan Handes,” vol. 5, Tiflis, 1899, No. 1, p. 323.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 463.

Occupation

The Armenians of Barsum were mainly engaged in farming, gardening, stock-breeding and sericulture.

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 463.

Armenian-Turkish Fights of 1905 to 1906
1905 y․

In late November 1905, the Turks “...laid siege to Barsum, but the village succeeded in repelling them thanks to its impregnable position. Unable to take any lessons from that defeat, the enemy mounted another offensive against the village on 5 December and drove away the local cattle grazing in a field. On their way back, however, the Turks encountered a group of armed fellows coming from Chardakhlu: not only did these young men manage to set free the herd but they also chased the Turks up to the village of Malaklu, where they opened fire against them.”

A-Do, The Armeno-Turkish Fights in Caucasia. Yerevan, 1907, p. 341.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 463.

Outstanding Personalities

Yeprem Khan (Yeprem Davtian) was one of the active members of the haydook groups fighting in Western Armenia in the late 1880s. His participation in Sargis Kukunian’s campaign (1890) “earned” him banishment to Siberia in 1892 (four years later, he fled to Iran). In 1899 Yeprem Khan worked as a teacher in Gharadagh’s Aghaghan Village. He was one of the organizers and leaders of the Iranian Revolution between 1905 and 1911. After the conquest of Teheran on 10 July 1909, he was appointed head of the country’s Provisional Government. For the services he had rendered to the Iranian state, Yeprem Khan was awarded the title of Sardar, i.e. Supreme Commander. He lost his life at the battle of Surjie on 6 May 1912 and was buried in the yard of Teheran’s Haykazian (nowadays Davtian) School.

The Armenian combatants who struggled against the Turkish tyranny in Western Armeia were known by the names of ‘haydook,’ and ‘fidayi.’ On 22 September 1890, an armed detachment of one hundred warriors led by S. Kukunian attempted to penetrate into Western Armenia via the region of Kars. They, however, suffered defeat and 25 of them, including Kukunian, were arrested by the Russian authorities. Kukunian was released from prison in 1905 and returned to Caucasia in 1906. He again harnessed himself to the struggle for the liberation of Western Armenia, for which the Tsarist authorities again arrested him and sent to prison in Orion Region. S. Kukunian died in 1914 (Soviet Armenian Encyclopedia, vol. 6, Yerevan, 1980, p. 10); Soviet Armenian Encyclopedia, vol. 3, Yerevan, 1977, p. 646.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 468.

Barsum was also the birthplace of Martiros Arshak Shahnazarian (born in 1960), one of the participants of Artsakh’s Liberation Struggle who sacrificed his life on the battle-field on 5 April 1991.

“Azatamart,” 12 April 1991, p. 15.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 468.

Monuments

Barsum and its neighbourhood used to abound in different monuments, a considerable part of which was annihilated in the Soviet years. Fortunately, however, local inhabitant Nikolai Ghazarian had them recorded in due time, thus saving them at least on paper.

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 466.

Historical Introduction

Apart from the aforementioned, the territory of Barsum also retains some Bronze Age castles, tombs and other archaeological monuments.

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 468.

Type Photo
View Exterior
Direction From the south-east
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Black-and-white negative
Date 1980 — 1982 yy․

Name	Year/Century	Etymology
Barsumashen
Pastun

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

Dates	Armenian Houses	Armenians (Male)	Armenians (Female)	Total (Armenians)	Notes	Source
1804	29	65	66	131		Collected Acts of the Caucasian Archaeological Commission, vol. 2, Tiflis, 1868, p. 596; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 462.
1839	28	90	90	180		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3800, p. 28; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 462.
1845		247	230	477		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3811, pp. 4-5; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 462.
1847		156	125	281		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3814, pp. 97-98; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 462.
1849		230	191	421		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3818, pp. 96-97; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 462.
1850	48	230	229	459		National Archives of Armenia, fund 56, list 1, file 2596, p. 110; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 462.
1852		236	217	453		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3819, pp. 106-107; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 462.
1853		238	221	459		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 2743, p. 18; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 462.
1854		250	230	480		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3825, pp. 69-70; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 462.
1858		262	245	507		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3831, pp. 42-43; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 462.
1860		268	247	515		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3833, pp. 109-110; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 462.
1861	47					National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3835, pp. 148-149; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 462.
1863		350	322	672		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3843, pp. 15-16; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 462.
1864		385	331	716		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3846, pp. 23-24; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 462.
1865		375	340	715		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3848, p. 50; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 462.
1866	86	458	391	849		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3848, p. 57; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 462.
1872		629	420	1049		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3872, pp. 63-64; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 462.
1874				956		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3864, pp. 41-42; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 462.
1875				1000		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3866, pp. 45-46; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 462.
1876				986		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3868, pp. 57-58; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 462.
1877		627	409	1036		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3869, pp. 55-56; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 462.
1878		616	400	1016		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3870, pp. 23-24; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 462.
1880		629	420	1049		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3872, pp. 31-32; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 462.
1881		640	433	1073		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3873, pp. 27-28; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 462.
1882		652	460	1112		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3874, p. 30; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 462.
1883		666	482	1148		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3875, pp. 56-57; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 462.
1885		510	380	890		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3877, p. 30; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 462.
1886	155	617	556	1173	Another source reports 120 houses (“Ardzagank,” 1886, No. 21, p. 307).	Yelizavetpol Province: A Statistical Survey Based on the Family Lists of Caucasia's Population. Tiflis, 1888, pp. 76-77; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 462.
1887		565	424	989		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3880, p. 74; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 462.
1888		580	438	1018		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3882, p. 132; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 462.
1889		585	446	1031		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3884, pp. 228-229; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 462.
1890		596	464	1060		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3887, p. 151; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 462.
1891		614	472	1086		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3889, p. 150; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 463.
1892		653	502	1155		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3891, p. 122; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 463.
1893		650	504	1154		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3895, pp. 78-79; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 463.
1894		672	551	1223		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3896, pp. 175-176; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 463.
1897		735	608	1343		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3899, pp. 148-149; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 463.
1898		755	616	1371		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3897, p. 170; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 463.
1899		759	619	1378		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3903, pp. 128-129; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 463.
1900		768	628	1396		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3905, pp. 94-95; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 463.
1901		779	644	1423		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3906, pp. 100-101; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 463.
1902		789	661	1450		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3907, pp. 24-25; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 463.
1905		794	667	1461		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3912, pp. 267-268; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 463.
1906		831	725	1556		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3915, p. 24; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 463.
1907				1708		National Archives of Armenia, fund 56, list 1, file 240, p. 2; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 463.
1908	238	925	900	1825		National Archives of Armenia, fund 35, list 1, file 559, p. 12. Also see Caucasian Calendar for 1910, Tiflis, 1909, p. 199; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 463.
1909		828	682	1510		National Archives of Armenia, fund 56, list 18, file 764, p. 118; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 463.
1910		971	944	1915		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3917, pp. 60-61; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 463.
1912		842	685	1527		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3919, pp. 63-64; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 463.
1914				2000		Caucasian Calendar for 1915, Tiflis, 1914, p. 96; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 463.
1917	185			2258		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; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 463.
1976				777		Soviet Azerbaijanian Encyclopedia, vol. 2, Baku, 1978, p. 35; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 463.
1985	40			134		Karapetian, S. Abandoned Armenian Settlements in Azerbaijan (1988 to 1991). In: “Hayreniki Dzayn,” 9 February 1993; 13 January 1993, p. 4; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 463.