ARTSAKH HISTORICAL MONUMENTS

Karhat (Nerkin) 9 Monuments

Azerbaijan (Country) / Northern Artsakh (Area) / Dashkesan (District) / Karhat (Nerkin) (Village)

Location

The village is situated on the southeast-facing slope of a gorge lying on the left bank of the river Artinajur, a kilometre east of the district centre, at an altitude of 1,280 to 1,380 metres above sea level.

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 167.

Monuments

A Historical Introduction. It retains some burial mounds dating back to the period between the Bronze and Iron Ages, as attested by the results of excavations conducted there.

Resler, E. Archaeological Research in Transcaucasia. In: “Kavkaz,” Tiflis, 1903, Nos. 173, 179, p. 2.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 167.

Historical Introduction
17 c․

Karhat boasts a remarkable history. The monuments of material culture preserved in its territory prove that it has existed since at least the Middle Ages, although the earliest sources mentioning it date from the 17th century, when it became a scriptorium. Below follows a list of the surviving manuscripts once created there:

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 167.

1655 y․

1 A Gospel “...completed in Karhat Village of Gyanja under Shah Abbas Junior in the year 1655.”

“Meghu Hayastani,” 1885, No. 74, p. 3.
Colophons of the Armenian Manuscripts of the 17th century, vol. 3. Compiled by Hakobian, V. Yerevan, 1984, p. 663. In 1884 researcher Haykuny saw the parchment in Gandzasar Monastery.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 167.

1656 y․

2 A Collection of Motets (1656) copied and illustrated by Priest Grigor “...in St. Hakob and Sourb Astvatzatzin Churches of Karahat Village of Gandzak...” for a certain Sandukht.

Colophons of the Armenian Manuscripts of the 17th century, vol. 3. Compiled by Hakobian, V. Yerevan, 1984, p. 697.
A Catalogue of Armenian Manuscripts of the Matenadaran after Mashtots, vol. 2, Yerevan, 1970, manuscript No. 10044, p. 1036.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 167.

1659 y․

3 A Gospel of 1659 copied by Priest Grigor “...in Sourb Astvatzatzin Church of Karahat Village of Gyanja...”

Colophons of the Armenian Manuscripts of the 17th century, vol. 3. Compiled by Hakobian, V. Yerevan, 1984, p. 852.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 167.

1665 y․

A Prayer-Book, including a calendar of religious festivals copied in 1665 by scribe Grigor.

A Catalogue of Armenian Manuscripts of the Matenadaran after Mashtots, vol. 2, Yerevan, 1970, manuscript No. 9448, p. 931.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 167.

1675 y․

5 A Gospel of 1675 copied and illustrated by Priest Grigor for Archimandrite Ignatios.

A Catalogue of Armenian Manuscripts of the Matenadaran after Mashtots, vol. 2, Yerevan, 1970, manuscript No. 8965, p. 845.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 167.

1676 y․

6 A Gospel of 1676 copied and illustrated by Priests Barsegh and Grigor respectively for a clergyman named Movses.

A Catalogue of Armenian Manuscripts of the Matenadaran after Mashtots, vol. 2, Yerevan, 1970, manuscript No. 5636, p. 153.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 167.

1691 y․

A record of 1691 makes mention of “...Hakob, the head of Karhat Village...”

“Ararat,” 1900, p. 320.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 167.

Name Origin

The name of Karhat indicates what the local people’s chief business was: it is composed of the word ‘kar,’ i.e. the Armenian equivalent for ‘stone,’ and the root ‘hat’ of the verb ‘hatel,’ i.e. the Armenian equivalent for ‘to quarry.’

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 167.

Occupation

They practised that craft from time immemorial: “The local residents who were once known as miners used to extract iron ore and obtain iron, but they were soon obliged to give it up, for the iron imported from Russia proved far cheaper.”

“Nor-Dar,” 1890, No. 122, p. 3.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, pp. 167-168.

19 c․

In the second half of the 19th century, the inhabitants of Karhat stopped processing iron altogether.

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 168.

1880 y․

The number of those engaged in husbandry was reduced due to the appropriation of most of the village lands by Siemens German Company: “The local people once possessed large lots of land which, however, shifted into the possession of Siemens Company. Its cobalt mines are located quite near the village...” By the late 1880s, Karhat Armenians had reached such a grave financial and economic predicament that they thought of leaving their place of residence: “The position of the village is highly unfavourable so that its inhabitants, who are now on the verge of abject poverty, have serious intentions to resettle somewhere else.”

“Nor-Dar,” 1890, No. 122, p. 3.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 168.

Historical Introduction
1894 y․

Shortly thereafter, between 1894 and 1895, more than half of the local Armenians abandoned their homes and founded another village of the same name in the area of the upper course of the river Artinajur, 4 kilometres south-west of their previous place of living. It was called Verin (i.e. ‘Upper’) Karhat to be differentiated from the other village of Karhat, which was later renamed Nerkin (i.e. ‘Lower’) Karhat.

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 168.

Population

Karhat Armenians were natives of the village.

Barkhutariants, M. Artsakh. Baku, 1895, p. 286.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 168.

1839 y․

Below follows a list of the families living there in 1839:

Maki Harutiunian, his wife Horom, their son Allahverdi and their daughter Tamar; Maki’s brother Khachatur, his wife Anna as well as their sons Hovhannes, and Gevorg with his wife Khatun and his daughter Javahir;
Sargis Nersissian, his wife Yetar, their sons 1. Ghukas with his wife Shoghi and his son Cherkez; 2. Babi with his wife Aziz, and 3. Harutiun with his wife Shoghi; Sargis’ brother Barsegh, his wife Aziz as well as their sons Khachatur and Beglar;
Babajan Nersissian, his sons 1. Arzuman with his wife Sirunna and his son Ohannes, and 2. Minas with his wife Mariam;
Michael Ter-Antonian, his wife Khampervan as well as their son Simeon with his wife Herik and his daughter Shahgul;
Mkrtich Virapian, his wife Margaret, their daughter Vardi and their son Babi with his wife Sandukht; Mkrtich’s brother Yesayi, his wife Margaret, their sons Ghuli and Hakob as well as their daughters Shoghi and Herik;
Vardan Mkhitarian, his sons 1. Sargis with his wife Pari and his son Mkhitar, and 2. Ohannes with his wife Anakhas, his son Harutiun and his daughter Gyuli; Vardan’s brother Khalat,C his wife Sabed as well as their son Mkhitar with his wife Nigar, his son Karapet and his daughter Zari;
Hovhannes Ter-Harutiunian, his wife Margaret, their sons 1. Grigor with his wife Mariam, his son Karapet and his daughter Sabed; 2. Stepan with his wife Mariam as well as his children Vardazar, Khatun and Khallu, and 3. widower Gevorg with his son Mnatsakan;
Hakob Grigorian, his wife Pari, their sons Grigor, Mkrtich with his wife Sandukht, and Melik with his daughter Shahalam;
Barsegh Stepanian, his mother Zada, his brother Grigor and his sister Mariam;
Sargis Simeonian, his wife Vari and their son Virap with his spouse Voski; Sargis’ sister Herik as well as his brother Ohan with his wife Herik, his son Beglar and his daughter Khatun;
Gaspar Michaelian, his mother Mariam, his wife Pari as well as his daughters Herik and Tangi;
Tsakan Astvatzaturian with his mother Parunna and his sister Herik.

National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3800, p. 29.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, pp. 168-169.

19 c․

The available statistical data relating to the period between the 19th and 20th centuries show that Karhat’s inhabitants continually increased until 1894 to 1895, when more than half of them left their village and founded Verin Karhat.

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 169.

1899 y․

In the course of some years, the village suffered losses due to various lethal infectious diseases: thus, between November 1899 and April 1900, 61 children fell victim to smallpox.

“Mshak,” 1900, No. 77, p. 2.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 169.

Priests
1871 y․

Anton Verdian Papikiants, who was appointed priest in the village in 1871, served the local population until 1908.

National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 5835, p. 1; file 817, p. 7.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 171.

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

The aforementioned statistical data are as follows:

Dates	Armenian Houses	Armenians (Male)	Armenians (Female)	Total (Armenians)	Notes	Source
1839	12	63	60	123		“Mshak,” 1900, No. 77, p. 2. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 169.
1845		99	114	213		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3811, pp. 4-5. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 169.
1847		91	80	171		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3814, pp. 96-97. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 169.
1849		91	95	186		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3818, pp. 96-97. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 169.
1852		96	92	188		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3819, pp. 106-107. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 169.
1861	18					National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3835, pp. 148-149. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 169.
1866	40	190	145	335		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3848, p. 57. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 169.
1871	47					National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 5835, p. 1. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 169.
1872		434	221	655		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3872, pp. 62-63. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 169.
1873				551	Another source of the same year mentions 540 inhabitants (National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3862, pp. 58-59).	National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3864, pp. 39-40. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 169.
1874				961		Caucasian Calendar for 1886, Tiflis, 1885, p. 125. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 169.
1875				575		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3866, pp. 44-45. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 169.
1876				599		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3868, pp. 57-58. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 169.
1877		413	211	624		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3869, pp. 54-55. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 169.
1878		420	213	633		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3870, pp. 22-23. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 169.
1881		432	223	655		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3873, pp. 27-28. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 169.
1882		443	225	668		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3874, p. 30. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 169.
1883		459	244	703		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3875, pp. 56-57. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 169.
1885	55	402	354	756		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3877, pp. 22-23. Also see “Ardzagank,” 1885, No. 21, p. 300. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 169.
1886	80	435	361	796		elizavetpol 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. 169.
1887		447	353	800		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3880, p. 73. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 169.
1888		448	354	802		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3882, p. 131. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 169.
1889		463	366	829		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3884, pp. 27-28, 227-228. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 169.
1890	100	479	378	857		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3887, p. 150. Also see “Nor-Dar,” 1890, No. 122, p. 3. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 169.
1891		486	393	879		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3889, p. 149. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 169.
1892		491	398	889		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3891, p. 121. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 169.
1893		488	416	904		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3895 pp. 78-79. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 169.
1894		494	420	914		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3896, pp. 73-74, 174-175. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 169.
1907				428		Caucasian Calendar for 1910, Tiflis, 1909, p. 237. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 170.
1908	48	229	171	400		National Archives of Armenia, fund 35, list 1, file 559, p. 10. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 170.
1910		252	201	451		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3917, pp. 58-59. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 170.
1914				340		Caucasian Calendar for 1915, Tiflis, 1914, p. 116. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 170.

The statistical sources regarding the period between 1897 and 1914 do not separate the populations of Verin and Nerkin Karhat:

Dates	Armenian Houses	Armenians (Male)	Armenians (Female)	Total (Armenians)	Notes	Source
1897		529	448	977		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3899, pp. 147-148. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 169.
1898		541	461	1002		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3897, p. 169. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 169.
1899		548	463	1011		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3903, pp. 127-128. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 169.
1900		563	482	1045		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3905, pp. 92-93. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 169.
1901		568	491	1059		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3906, pp. 98-99. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 169.
1902		572	490	1062		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3907, pp. 23-24. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 169.
1905		575	494	1069		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3912, pp. 266-267. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 169.
1906		622	521	1143		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3915, p. 24. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 169.
1907				1119		Caucasian Calendar for 1910, Tiflis, 1909, p. 237. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 169.
1908	130	614	580	1094		National Archives of Armenia, fund 35, list 1, file 559, p. 10. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 169.
1910		643	518	1161		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3917, pp. 58-59. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 169.
1912				1113		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3919, pp. 62-63. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 169.
1914				1001		Caucasian Calendar for 1915, Tiflis, 1914, p. 116. In: Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 169.