ARTSAKH HISTORICAL MONUMENTS

Ghazakh 1880 y․ 9 Monuments

Azerbaijan (Country) / Northern Artsakh (Area) / Ghazakh (District) / Ghazakh (District Centre)

Location

It was founded in a fertile plain lying on the right bank of the river Aghstev, at an altitude of 350 to 390 metres above sea level.

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 304.

Foundation

Before the establishment of Ghazakh, the administrative centre of the district was the village of Dagh-Kyasaman.

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 304.

1880 y․

On 11 December 1880, the Caucasian vice-roy issued a decree under which 356 dessiatinas and 490 square sazhens of royal land were to be allocated for the construction of the future city, whose plan had already been approved. By 1883 the settlement had been granted municipal status.
During the initial period of the existence of Ghazakh, the contemporary press was incredulous about the prospects of its development: “It is only a few years since this town was founded, but the number of the fine houses and shops is increasing here day by day. However, one can hardly think there is any future for it, since the terrible summer heat and unhealthy water can one day reduce it to the state of the township of Tartar in Jvanshir District.”

“Kavkaz,” Tiflis, 1905, No. 24, p. 3.
“Nor-Dar,” 1886, No. 208. According to another source, Ghazakh was granted municipal status in 1909 (The Azerbaijanian SSR: Administrative-Territorial Division. Baku, 1979, p. 9).
Yelizavetpol Province of the Caucasian Vice-royalty.
“Ardzagank,” 1886, No. 12, p. 162.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 304.

Waterwork
1897 y․

In 1897 the Government planned to introduce water supply system into Ghazakh to keep its inhabitants from moving to Dilijan, that was located in the same district. It took the local people 23,000 rubles to implement the aforementioned project, for the pipeline extended within a distance of 11 versts of the city.

“Nor-Dar,” 1887, No. 53, p. 1.
“Kavkaz,” Tiflis, 1905, No. 24, p. 3.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 304.

Construction Activity
1905 y․

In 1905 a visitor wrote, “At present Ghazakh is divided into 26 quarters, which consist of 276 subquarters, 156 of them still under construction. Most of the local single-storied, stone buildings represent the municipal style of architecture. The city has a mosque and two churches, one Orthodox and the other Armenian-Gregorian. It also boasts a marketplace located in the centre and surrounded by shopping malls...”

“Kavkaz,” Tiflis, 1905, No. 24, p. 3 (the original reads,“ Въ настоящее время Казахъ разбитъ на 26 кварталовъ, въ которыхъ состоитъ 276 участковъ, изъ незастроенныхъ осталосъ всего 156. Большинство построекъ въ Казахе каменныя, одноэтажныя, городского типа. Имеются православная и армяно-григорианския церкви и магометанская мечетъ. Посреди города расположена базарная площадь, окруженная торговыми рядами лавокъ”).
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 304.

1905 y․

In 1905 District Head Arnold, a person of German origin who was a fervent advocate of the city’s progress and enlightenment, “… sold some unoccupied territories to enrich it.”

National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 1254, p. 1.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 304.

Armenian-Turkish Fights of 1905 to 1906
1905 y․

Ghazakh Armenians, who had been absorbed in their daily problems before the outbreak of the Armeno-Turkish fights between 1905 and 1906, were severely punished for having completely neglected the organization of their self-defence. The Turks set alight the Jaghetiants’, Melik-Israyelian’s, Gulumian’s, Khachatrian’s and others’ houses, plundering and destroying the local church and school. The Armenian citizens, who had lost everything they once possessed, could hardly have a narrow escape from extermination by running away to Tiflis and the nearby Armenian-populated villages.

A-Do, The Armeno-Turkish Fights in Caucasia. Yerevan, 1907, p. 360.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, pp. 304-305.

Population

From the very day of its foundation, Ghazakh was populated by the Armenians.

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 305.

1885 y․

As a postal station, it attracted tradesmen as a most convenient place of work. In 1885 the majority of the local merchants were Armenians, which is confirmed by the following record, “The population mainly consists of Armenian and foreign salesmen who have come here from different places…”

“Nor-Dar,” 1885, No. 58, p. 1.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 305.

The newly-arrived settlers comprised both citizens and villagers: “Most of the inhabitants who are resettlers from Shushi and the nearby villages are occupied with trade and various crafts.”

“Ardzagank,” 1897, No. 35, p. 3; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 305.

1905 y․

In 1905 Ghazakh had 3,380 residents, the majority of them being Turks who had numerical superiority over the local Armenians and the small number of Russians.

“Kavkaz,” Tiflis, 1905, No. 24, p. 3.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 305.

The available statistical records on the number of the local population represent the following picture:

Dates	Armenian Houses	Armenians (Male)	Armenians (Female)	Total (Armenians)	Notes	Source
1890	50	120	110	230		Barkhutariants, M. Artsakh. Baku, 1895, p. 60; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 305.
1895		248	114	362		“Ardzagank,” 1895, No. 19, p. 3; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 305.
1897	60					“Ardzagank,” 1897, No. 35, p. 3; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 305.
1900		300	150	450		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3905, p. 28; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 305.
1902		190	151	341		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3907, pp. 27-28; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 305.
1917	60			320		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. 167; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 305.