ARTSAKH HISTORICAL MONUMENTS

Aghamali Monuments

Azerbaijan (Country) / Northern Artsakh (Area) / Getabek (District) / Aghamali (Village)

Location

The village, formerly known by the name of Ghazanchi, is situated on the east-facing slope of a gorge lying in the north-east of Mount Shakarbek, in the area of the source of the river Legharak (Badajur), 14.5 kilometres north-west of the district centre, between 1,550 and 1,660 metres of altitude above sea level.

It was known by the name of ‘Mrejur’ in the area of its upper course.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 221.

Historical Introduction
1770 y․

Its historical name has fallen into oblivion. Stripped of its Armenian population in the 1770s, it was devastated and reduced to a summer encampment for some cattle-breeding Turkish tribes.

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 221.

19 c․

In the second half of the 19th century, the village was the seat of famous landowner Zulghadarov, who “...spent winters in an estate named Khennalu and moved to the elevated settlement of Ghazanchi in summers.”

S. Kamalian Fund, copy-book No. 1, VI-11, p. 11. A record states the following about the estates belonging to the Zulghadarovs, “From the top of Khachyal you could enjoy a fascinating view of Mount Yanegh Paya dominating the entire environment. You could also take great delight in watching the opposite gorges and mountains: the peaks of Tyulkelu and Kyaran with the ravine of Hayvalu; Ghalaboyin with the gorge of Ahmadi Band below it as well as Yelludagh and Isakhan with the nearby ravines of Aghdara, Kujur Shamlugh and Metz Shamlugh. All these gorges and peaks form part of a mountain chain extending on the left bank of the river Zakam (I shall enlarge upon them while descending the gorge). On the right bank of the same river, at the foot of Mount Valijan, opposite Aghdara stands the monastery of Mkrtich. Another cloister, called ‘Kilisa Darasi,’ can be found in a village re-inhabited by Turks and located in the gorge of Gharanlekh adjoining Choban Seghnakh. All the aforementioned ravines, rivers, mountains and villages belong to Zulghadarov...” (idem, pp. 10-11); Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 221.

1890 y․

In 1890 Allahyar Bey Zulghadarov lived there: “I had been told that the Zulghadarovs did not welcome those interested in their domains. I, however, did not intend to anyhow harm their family; moreover, I even planned to pay a visit to Allahyar Bey in the mountain encampment of Ghazanchi...”

S. Kamalian Fund, copy-book No. 1, VI-11, p. 17; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 221.

Population
1976 y․

In 1976 the local population amounted to 1,824.

Soviet Azerbaijanian Encyclopedia, vol. 1, Baku, 1976, p. 97; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 221.

Name	Year/Century	Etymology
Ghazanchi