ARTSAKH HISTORICAL MONUMENTS

Getashen 96 Monuments

Azerbaijan (Country) / Northern Artsakh (Area) / Khanlar (District) / Getashen (Village)

Location

The village, that is 2.5 kilometres long and only 500 to 600 metres wide, is situated in a deep gorge mainly lying on the left bank of the river Kurak, 13 kilometres south-east of the district centre. Most of its quarters extend on the slopes of some ravines on the left riverside, between 950 and 1,050 metres of altitude above sea level.

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 347.

Monuments

Historical Introduction

Only very few of the villages of Northern Artsakh (Pib, Banants, Legharak, Khachakap, Voskanapat) can match Getashen, a village of glorious history.

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 347.

The surviving monuments of material culture trace it as far back as the early Middle Ages. Some archaeological finds, including pottery and Bronze articles, can be attributed to the pre-Christian period.

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 347.

Getashen and its neighbourhood retain a wealth of mills, churches, bridges, wine presses, village sites, cemeteries abounding in khachkars and grave-stones, as well as dwellings and public buildings that constitute a rich, unique cultural heritage of immense value. Erected in the course of many centuries, they have come down to our days in a standing or semi-ruined state.

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 347.

17 c․

The available scanty records on Getashen date back to the 17th century. Thus, in 1626 the toponym was used in an account of the atrocities committed by the Georgian troops: “And the base Georgians attacked Getashen’s Armenians...”

Colophons of the Armenian Manuscripts of the 17th century, vol. 2. Compiled by Hakobian, V., Hovhannissian, A. Yerevan, 1978, p. 206.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 347.

1632 — 1655 yy․

It may also be found in a bull issued by Catholicos Pilippos (1632 to 1655).

Barkhutariants, M. Artsakh. Baku, 1895, p. 48.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 347.

17 c․

In 1691 reference is made to “...head of Getashen Kamal Bey...” This person, who is mentioned by the title of Melik in an inscription of 1673, headed the construction of the local church of Sourb Nahatak (Avag Sourb Nshan Church) in 1677.

“Ararat,” 1900, p. 320.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 347.

1766 y․

In 1766 mention is made of “Melik Yusif..., whose residence is in Getashen at present...”

A Collection of Armenian Historiographical Works, vol. 3. Compiled by Priest Gyut Aghaniants. Tiflis, 1894, p. 573.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 347.

1767 y․

In 1767 Georgian King Heracle incited Shahverdi Khan of Gandzak to invade Getashen, but the latter was faced with a heavy counterattack: “...day had not broken yet when he unexpectedly mounted an offensive against Melik Yusuf of Getashen for the purpose of slaughtering his army, capturing his people and plundering the village. Unaware of the danger, Melik Yusuf’s people lay asleep in complete carelessness, but the Lord came to their rescue. The melik’s valorous son Beklar plucked up courage, took his sword and rushed outward all by himself to repel the attacking troops until his fellow warriors came to his aid, his father fighting the enemy in the village in the meantime. Eventually gathering all their troops, they hindered the advance of that foul Shahverdi and killed most of his soldiers.” Chasing the escaping khan and “...murdering the enemy right and left...,” Melik Hovsep “...reached Ganja and returned with all his troops safe and sound. Over many days, he kept all the roads to the city blocked so that nobody entered or left it...”

A Collection of Armenian Historiographical Works, vol. 3. Compiled by Priest Gyut Aghaniants. Tiflis, 1894, p. 773.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, pp. 347-348.

Finally, Shahverdi Khan had to ask King Heracle to “intercede” with the melik for lifting the siege of Gandzak.

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 348.

19 c․

Getashen Armenians were famous for their bravery and patriotism. In the late 19th century, one of their fellow villagers was characterized in the following way, “...among those courageous fighters was Hanes Sapariants, who had not practised any crafts all his lifetime, his only occupation being the slaughter of the enemies...”

“Nor-Dar,” 1893, No. 108, p. 3.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 348.

1918 y․

In 1918 Getashen was delivered up “...to the Turkish authorities. The local people were very displeased with the Turkish powers, for the establishment of Turkish forces in their village finally reduced them to bankruptcy. Every day the enemy soldiers robbed them of two bulls, took as much bread as they wished and did not spare even forage which was considered something of highest necessity to the villager and cost a high price.

The Armenian Massacres in the Provinces of Baku and Yelizavetpol (1918 to 1920), p. 130 (the original reads, “...турецким властям. Жители этого села были недовольны турецкой властью, потому что во время пребывания турецких сил в этом селе окончательно они их разорили. Брали от них в день по два быка, хлеба, сколько хотели, не щадили даже корм, который в настоящее время ценится очень дорого для крестьянина и является первой необходимостью”).
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 351.

Population
1991 y․

The Armenian spirit faded away in the village “when the last inhabitant abandoned it on 7 May 1991.”

“Urbat,” 1991, No. 18.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 360.

The elderly residents of Getashen remember that the Melik-Mnatsakaniants, who lived in the central part of the village, came from Gyulistan, a village in present-day Shahumian District of the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh. The Chilingarians were from Begum-Sarov, the Israyelians from Jraberd, and the Gyurjians, who dwelled in the vicinity of a cemetery in the old quarter of the village, from Ani City of Shirak District (Ayrarat Province, Metz Hayk). Moving first to Tseghna, then to Verin and Nerkin Aza Villages of Goghtan District, and later to Mokhratagh Village of Jraberd, they finally settled down in Getashen.

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 360.

1905 y․

Between 1905 and 1906, the Paravians’ (‘Pravants’ in the local dialect) family of armourers was famous in the village.

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 360.

1839 y․

Below follows a list of 145 families living in Getashen in 1839:

“Poghos Ter-Ohanian, his sons Shirin with his wife Rehan, and Petros with his wife Nazel;
Nerses Ter-Israyelian, his wife Rehan as well as his sons Yeprem and Poghos;
Moses Ter-Sahakian, his wife Rehan as well as their son Sahak and his wife Javahir;
Sayi Zakarian, his wife Anna and their son Ghahraman;
Verdi Zakarian with his spouse Anna;
Grigor Hakobian with his wife Anna;
Ghahraman Melkumian, his wife Aziz and their son Arzuman;
Sandri Melkumian, his wife Mariam as well as their sons Nerses, Arzuman and Hakob;
Yesayi Melkumian, his wife Heriknaz, their sons Daniel with his wife Antaram, and Gabriel with his wife Javahir;
Poghos Harutiunian, his wife Sona and their daughter Margaret;
Papi Pekov, his wife Shali and their son Hovhannes; Papi’s brother Hayrum and his wife Anna;
Mayil Grigorian, his wife Yeghisabet and their son Harutiun;
Mirza Paytalian, his wife Mariam as well as their sons Harutiun and Nerses;
Avag Ghazarian, his wife Margaret, their daughter Mina as well as their sons Grigor and Ghazar;
Sargis Aghajanian, his wife Anna and their daughter Mariam; Sargis’ brother Stepan with his wife Rehan;
Avag Ohanissian, his wife Horomsim as well as their son Daniel with his wife Javi;
Asriel Hakobian, his wife Yetar as well as their son Soghomon and their daughter Mariam;
Petros Sevian, his wife Anna as well as their sons Sargis and Hambardzum;
Beki Harutiunian, his wife Sirunna and their son Hakob; Beki’s brothers 1. Yesayi with his wife Anna, and 2. Ohannes with his wife Bekzata and his daughter Mariam;
Poghos Sargissian, his wife Khatayi and their daughter Rehan;
Grigor Papassian, his wife Yeghisabet and their daughter Herik;
Hovhannes Hovsepian, his wife Sevgyul and their son Avetis;
Verdi Misayelian, his wife Sevgyul as well as their son Arushan and their daughter Yasaman;
Babajan Atayan, his wife Sirunna, their sons Hakob and Misayel as well as their daughter-in-law Khatun;
Sarukhan Poghossian with his wife Anakhanum;
Petros Mkhitarian, his wife Antaram, their son Arustam with his wife Mariam as well as his sons Nerses, Karapet and Hovhannes;
Israyel Misayelian, his wife Yetar as well as their sons Beglar and Grigor; Israyel’s brother Petros, his wife Begzada and their son Harutiun;
Petros Hakobian, his wife Varti as well as their sons Nerses, Aghabek, Ohanes, Misayel and Hakob;
Petros Simonian, his wife Mariam as well as their daughter Javahir and their son Simeon;
Simeon Hakobian with his wife Vardi;
Soghomon Baghdasarian, his wife Javahir as well as their son Sargis and their daughter Yeghisabet;
Widow Antaram, her daughter Gozal as well as her sons Beglar and Abraham;
Martiros Balassian, his wife Anna as well as their daughters Anakhanum and Herik;
Arzuman Grigorian, his wife Khatayi as well as their sons Karapet and Sargis;
Arustam Apressian, his wife Tari, his brother Ohannes, his spouse Anayi as well as his sons Sargis, Grigor and Daniel;
Daniel Hakobian, his wife Javi, their son Grigor with his wife Paji as well as his sons Nerses, Khachatur and Beglar; Daniel’s brother Arustam with his wife Taguhi;
Gogi Ghazarian, his wife Javi as well as their sons Khosrov and Grigor;
Hovhannes Galustov, his wife Javi as well as their sons Daniel and Sargis;
Sargis Hakobian, his wife Mariam as well as their sons Avag and Arustam;
Hovhannes Sargissian, his wife Mariam as well as their son Hakob and his spouse Herik;
Gabriel Hovhannissian, his wife Khatayi as well as their sons Ohan, Yeghiazar and Arushan;
Daniel Vardanian, his wife Aznan, their sons Sargis and Minas as well as their daughter-in-law Nazlo;
Grigor Sargissian, his wife Horomsim as well as their daughters Rehan and Anna;
Grigor Galustian, his wife Anna and their son Ghazar;
Salah Sadeghian, his wife Margaret and their daughter Marian; Salah’s brother Petru with his wife Khanum;
Usup Sargissian, his wife Rehan and their son Sargis;
Widow Javi with her sons Hovhannes and Grigor;
Petros Matikian, his wife Hustiane and their son Allahverdi;
Widow Shakhi with her sons Poghos and Hovhannes;
Widow Nazi with her sons Abraham, Stepan and Hakob;
Abraham Hakobian with his wife Hori and their daughter Rehan;
Petros Hakobian, his wife Bagzata and their daughter Khanum;
Hovhannes Gasparian, his wife Mariam as well as their son Karapet and their daughter Rehan;
Widow Khatun, her daughter Sona as well as her sons Murat and Hovhannes;
Hovsep Apressian with his spouse Javahir;
Sargis Danielian, his wife Nazlu as well as his brother Ghazar with his wife Herik and his son Misayel;
Baghdasar Ghukassian, his wife Aziz, their son Hovhannes and Baghdasar’s brother Yedgar;
Verdi Sevanian, his wife Javahir as well as their son Arzuman and his spouse Nazlu;
Widow Huri, her daughter Gurjhan as well as her sons Simeon and Beglar;
Harutiun Denielian with his wife Anayi;
Ohan Danielian, his wife Zata, their daughters Malak and Nazlu, their sons Avan and Sargis as well as their daughter-in-law Nakar;
Ayrum Papian and his spouse Malak with their sons Javat and Khechatur; Ayrum’s brothers Avag, Simeon, Petros and Martiros together with their daughters-in-law Sona and Anna;
Ayrum Adamian, his wife Margaret and his brother Grigor;
Hovakim Adamian, his wife Peki and their daughter Shamam;
Petros Poghossian, his wife Hori and their daughter Nakhshun; Petros’ brother Grigor, his spouse Sirunna and their son Simeon;
Grigor Ter-Hakobian, his wife Gyuli as well as their son Petros and his wife Zata;
Petros Avagian, his wife Sirun and their daughter Rehan;
Israyel Galustian, his wife Anna, his brother Harutiun as well as his sons Gevorg and Ghazar;
Abraham Ter-Hovhannissian, his wife Rehan as well as their sons Israyel and Hovhannes;
Avag Ohannissian, his wife Mariam as well as their sons Hovhannes and Sargis;
Hovhannes Vanian, his wife Mariam, their son Vardan and their daughter Antaram;
Sargis Danielian, his wife Mariam as well as their sons Javat and Daniel;
Petros Markossian, his wife Mariam as well as their sons Arustam and Aghajan;
Atay Hakobian, his wife Anna, their son Aghajan and their daughter Khanum;
Petros Israyelian, his wife Nazlukhan as well as his brothers Harutiun and Avetis;
Soghomon Kolayan and his wife Taguhi together with their sons Misayel and Grigor; Soghomon’s brother Hovhannes and his spouse Khatayi;
Batal Arustamian, his wife Nazlukhan as well as his brothers Payi and Hovhannes;
Khachatur Danielian, his wife Yeghisabed and their daughter Anna;
Hakob Seiranian with his wife Hori;
Petros Israyelian, his wife Nazlu and their son Seiran;
Mkhitar Baghdasarian with his spouse Vari;
Widower Movses Seiranian, his brother Avetis with his spouse Yeghisabet;
Widower Hakob Mirzayan with his sons Petros and Ohan;
Gabriel Avtandilian, his wife Huri as well as their sons Maki and Arushan with his wife Herik;
Arustam Papayan, his wife Khatayi and their son Ghahraman;
Arustam Allahverdian, his wife Magtagh and their son Sargis;
Thomas Hakobian with his spouse Khatayi;
Harutiun Petrossian with his wife Khatun;
Michael Sargissian with his wife Javahir;
Zohrap Danielian, his wife Vari as well as their sons Grigor and Avetik;
Sargis Danielian with his wife Herik;
Ghaybali Khachaturian, his wife Mariam as well as his brothers Sargis and Petros;
Sargis Petrossian, his wife Shahzat as well as their sons Harutiun, Vardan and Antanes;
Badal Arushanian with his wife Heriknaz;
Martiros Khachaturian with his wife Javahir;
Avag Hakobian, his wife Mehri as well as their sons Hakob and Hovhannes;
Hovhannes Poghossian, his wife Gyuli, their son Allahverdi and their daughter Bekzada;
Hovhannes Poghossian, his mother Gyuli, his spouse Magtagh and their son Hovhannes;
Arustam Poghossian, his mother Antaram, his wife Sirunna as well as his brother Ayrum, his spouse Sehar and his son Arushan;
Mnatsakan Petrossian, his mother Anna, his wife Anna as well as his brother Khachatur with his spouse Shahzada and his son Grigor;
Kochari Poghossian, his mother Hripsim, his wife Sultan and their daughter Herik;
Abraham Poghossian with his mother Hori, his wife Anna and his daughter Herik;
Astvatzatur Karapetian with his spouse Herik and his son Harutiun;
Avag Mkrtumian with his mother Margaret and his wife Sirunna;
Grigor Sahakian with his wife Horomsim;
Musayel Harutiunian, his wife Mariam as well as their daughters Javahir and Shahkhanum;
Petros Hovhannissian, his wife Herik as well as their sons Karapet and Sargis with his spouse Nakhshun;
Daniel Nazarian, his wife Heriknaz, their sons Khachatur, Karapet with his wife Nazlukhan, and Martiros with his wife Nazgyul, his son Gevorg and his daughter Marun;
Khachatur Hakobian, his wife Herik as well as their sons Sahak and Petros;
Poghos Ter-Hakobian, his wife Herik as well as their daughters Khanum, Yetar and Shazlu;
Harutiun Apressian, his wife Mariam as well as their sons Gabriel, Papa and Yeghi;
Israyel Hovhannissian, his mother Nazlu, his wife Yetar and their son Misayel;
Hovhannes Mirzayan, his wife Khatun, his brother Abraham, his spouse Yetar, his daughter Khatayi as well as his sons Sargis, Misayel and Arustam;
Hovhannes Ter-Petrossian, his wife Anna as well as their son Harutiun with his wife Sirunna;
Mosi Sargissian and his wife Javahir with their sons Gabriel and Kochari;
Hovhannes Poghossian, his wife Tukhi as well as their sons Javat and Sahak;
Movses Grigorian, his wife Gyuljehan as well as their sons Mirza and Arustam;
Hovakim Hakobian, his wife Mariam as well as his brother Gevorg with his spouse Khatun, his son Khachatur and his daughter Herik;
Gabriel Mkhitarian, his wife Herik as well as their sons Hakob, Hambardzum, and Sargis with his wife Mariam;
Martiros Petrossian and his wife Anna with their sons Harutiun and Hovhannes;
Allahverdi Harutiunian, his wife Gyurjehan as well as their daughters Herik and Nazlu;
Martiros Harutiunian, his wife Sirun as well as their sons Avag and Yeprem;
Petros Papayan, his wife Javahir with their son Sahak and his wife Pari;
Hovhannes Adamian, his wife Zani and their son Petros with his wife Horomsim;
Hakob Petrossian, his wife Sehar, their son Sargis with his wife Heriknaz and his daughter Sirunna;
Widower Petros Arushanian and his brother Petros with his wife Sara;
Widower Gabriel Hakobian as well as his son Mirza with his wife Magtagh;
Mkrtum Soghomonian, his wife Javahir, their sons Gyurji, and Ghuli with his wife Gyuli, his sons Musayel, Israyel as well as his daughters Khatayi and Horom;
Musayel Harutiunian, his wife Begzada as well as their sons Beglar, Petros and Avag;
Widow Shakhi, her daughter Seharnaz as well as her sons Yeghiazar and Sargis;
Widow Gayane Grigorian, her son Arustam as well as her daughters Tazagyul and Herik;
Grigor Yesayan, his wife Mariam and their daughter Sirun; Grigor’s brother Ohan, his wife Herik and their son Andreas;
Widow Hripsime Gevorgian, her sons Harutiun, and Papa with his wife Sirunna;
Widow Rehan with her daughters Vardi and Shahkhanum;
Gabriel Harutiunian, his wife Mariam as well as their son Sahak and their daughter Shahkhanum;
Sayi Abrahamian, his wife Aghakhan and their son Hovhannes;
Hakob Balasian, his wife Hyuri as well as their sons Zakaria and Israyel;
Mkrtum Hovhanian, his wife Tellu as well as their son Mirza and their daughter Javahir;
Mnatsakan Ghukassian, his wife Khanum and their daughter Taguhi;
Petros Apressian with his wife Sona;
Gabriel Hovhannissian, his wife Anna and his brother Israyel with his spouse Vardi;
Ohanjan Stepanian, his wife Herik and their daughter Taguhi;
Sargis Hakobian, his wife Rehan as well as their daughters Herik and Seharnaz;
Khachatur Petrossian with his wife Tellu;
Hovakim Hakobian, his wife Nazlu as well as their sons Ohan and Khachatur.”

National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3800, pp. 30-31.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, pp. 352-359.

The epitaphs preserved in the local cemetery reveal that the resettlers were mostly from Metzshen, Akana, Maghavuz and Khotorashen Villages of the aforementioned district.

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 352.

1886 y․

In 1886 Getashen comprised 300 families, including 80 of Jraberd Armenians.

“Ardzagank,” 1886, No. 19, p. 280.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 352.

None of the available sources attests to what the correspondent of the “Nor-Dar” alleges about the establishment of Getashen: “At first this village, founded in 1748, comprised only 25 houses. In 1802 30 families from the principality of Jraberd took up living here and mixed with the local inhabitants, in their turn contributing to the prosperity of the village...”

“Nor-Dar,” 1893, No. 108, p. 3.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 351.

19 c․

The existing sources are not unanimous in mentioning the exact year of this resettlement which oscillates among 1802, 1804 and 1805 to 1806. Nor do they report the true number of the Armenians who moved from the neighbouring district of Jraberd to Getashen: it ranges from 30 and 80 to 300.

“Nor-Dar,” 1893, No. 108, p. 3.
“Ardzagank,” 1886, No. 19, p. 280.
“Mshak,” 1890, No. 76, p. 2.
“Mshak,” 1913, No. 72, p. 3.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, pp. 351-352.

20 c․

As the table indicates, the population of Getashen, a millennia-old purely Armenian village, continually increased until the ‘10s of the 20th century. In the course of some years, however, certain reduction could be observed in their number due to small-scale resettlement and diseases, especially, among infants. In times of turmoil and political instabilitiy, the number of the local people increased instead of decreasing, for Getashen was considered a safe haven for the Armenians of other villages (it so happened, for instance, during the Armeno-Turkish fights between 1905 and 1906: see the table).

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 360.

19 — 20 cc․

As already mentioned above, Getashen was one of the most populous villages in Artsakh: the study of a wealth of archive documents containing the results of population censuses carried out between the 19th and 20th centuries reveals that it was second to only Pib (Zaglik) Village by the number of its inhabitants.

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 359.

Construction Activity
1886 y․

Parallel with the development of the village, the number of the local buildings gradually increased so that by 1886 another 12 houses had been built on the right bank of the river as well.

“Ardzagank,” 1886, No. 19, p. 280.
Sargissian, M. Getashen. In: “Kultur-Lusavorakan Ashkhatank,” 1988, No. 2, pp. 13-20, in Armenian.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 348.

Occupation

Farming, gardening, cattle-breeding and bee-keeping were the main occupations of the Armenians of Getashen.

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 360.

1864 y․

In 1864 the villagers applied to the authorities with a request to send some experienced farmers from the German colony of Helenendorf to convey their skills to them. The petition was met, and two specialists, Friedrich Ziezer and Friedrich Rietenbach, arrived at the village, the local residents assuming all their expenses during the period of teaching.

“Kavkaz,” 1865, No. 70, p. 349.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, pp. 360-361.

Armenian-Turkish Fights of 1905 to 1906
1905 y․

Thanks to its populousness and comparatively favourable position for defence, Getashen did not suffer enemy attacks either in the days of the Armeno-Turkish fights of 1905 to 1906 or during the joint offensives launched by the Ottoman and Musavatist troops between 1918 and 1920. The local inhabitants who had united and taken up arms to defend their native village did not engage in serious fighting against the Turks, since the latter did not dare to attack the village, being well-aware of the skills and valour the warriors of Getashen boasted. The village, however, lost many people outside its territory: thus, on 13 September 1905, 5 Armenians returning home from their fields in Gyoran were slaughtered by the Turks who appropriated the harvest of millet they had gathered.

“Arshaluys,” 1905, No. 17, p. 1.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 349.

1905 y․

In retaliation for the unprecedented crimes the Turkish bandits had committed in the adjacent villages, in late 1905, an armed detachment from Getashen destroyed some of their dens: “At half past six on the morning of 15 December, Chaylilar was heavily encircled from three sides. The local forces, that were not small in number, proved unable to repel the fire coming from three directions simultaneously and ran away through the open field after a persistent resistance of several hours. The Armenians who burst into the village ravaged and burnt it down. They had not finished their act of retribution yet when a large mob reached there from the plain, and the fighting resumed with even greater ferocity, lasting for many hours. Finally, the Turks were warded off, but the heavy battle had cost the Armenians the lives of Ivan Balasanian, Ghukas Petrossian from Karabakh, and Bakhshi, the insurgent son of the rebellious land of Khachen. Besides, they had also suffered 6 casualties, the Turkish losses exceeding 20.”

A-Do, The Armeno-Turkish Fights in Caucasia. Yerevan, 1907, p. 334.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, pp. 349-350.

Getashen Armenians also visited retribution on some other nearby villages housing Turkish gangsters: “After Chaylilar, the same Armenians attacked and devastated Dardara, Saresu, Dozilar as well as Abas-Dara and Panahlar. The last two of these villages mentioned had been abandoned even before the onslaught.”

A-Do, The Armeno-Turkish Fights in Caucasia. Yerevan, 190, p. 334.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 350.

1906 y․

Getashen mainly escaped the scourge of the Armeno-Turkish fights that ravaged throughout Caucasia. That meant that the calculations of the Tsarist authorities had not come true at all. Seeing that the Turks were of no use with that regard, they stripped away their disguise of “saving peacemakers” and launched an offensive against the village on 24 March 1906. First the Russians demanded that Getashen Armenians deliver up their arms and then fired 20 gun volleys against the village, “...demolishing several magnificent houses...”

“Mshak,” No. 68, 29 March 1906.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 350.

The contemporary press responded to that act by the following interrogation, “...what is Getashen to blame for? Its only crime is that it did not let the Turks touch it. Besides, located on a crossroad of nomads’ continual resettlement, it might pose danger to the Turks if it remained armed...”

“Mshak,” No. 68, 29 March 1906.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, pp. 350-351.

Economic Life

In the pre-Soviet years, Getashen had 18 functioning mills, 5 creameries, 4 smithies, 3 leather dressing mills and 6 shoe-making workshops.

Balasanian, G. The Centuries-Old Traveller. Yerevan, 1986, p. 7, in Armenian.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 361.

1883 y․

By 1883 the shops functioning in the village had totaled 35: “It comprises between 30 and 35 shops belonging to retailers, carpenters, tinmen, dyers, tailors, curriers, drapers, shoemakers and silversmiths...”

“Meghu Hayastani,” 1883, No. 52, p. 2.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 361.

19 c․

Bishop Barkhutariants, who visited Getashen in the late 19th century, writes, “It is a township of prospering crafts such as carpentry, tailoring, saddlery, masonry, weaving, cart-making and blacksmith’s work.”

Barkhutariants, M. Artsakh. Baku, 1895, pp. 258-259.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 361.

Village Heads
19 c․

In earlier times, the post of village head shifted from generation to generation, but in the 19th century, people generally elected that official.

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 362.

1890 y․

A visitor who happened to be present at the elections of village elders in the 1890s provides a detailed account of that process, particularly stating the following, “On the evening preceding the election, an errand-man passed from roof to roof, chose a so-called central one, ascended it and cried out the following after having coughed for several times, ‘Tomorrow all of you are to come and elect a village head and judges. Right’? The following day, a man appeared in the centre of the village, with the local police officer waiting in a nearby balcony. The peasants had decided to depose the head of their village, but why? The answer was evident: a prudent person of some erudition, he had been strict towards them and had fined most of them for keeping the gavits and streets unclean and setting their animals free at night. An extremely exacting man, he had not spared even his aged father, who was the former head of the village and enjoyed great respect. The local people kept complaining that he did not govern them well and had even punished his father. As for the judges, they should be replaced, for all of them were bribe takers. “To the police chief’s question whom they wanted to see in the post of village head, about 300 people raised a great turmoil: some of them were shouting Hambo’s name, others Tyuni’s or Javad’s so that there was not even an apology for unanimity in their decision. Losing patience, the aforementioned official ordered the supporters of Hambo to stand on the left and those of Sako, one of the former heads of the village, on the right. The crowd was more inclined to join those on Hambo’s side, but those defending Sako’s candidacy drove right even the supporters of Hambo. Without counting the people standing on both sides and merely trusting his eyes, the police chief declared that the elections had been won by the man who had gathered more followers. Thus, they had elected Sako, a simpleton who had absolutely no knowledge of governing, only because the days of his office had been peaceful, namely the villagers had been absolutely free in their actions. Thus, now it is clear how the crowd prepared a pitfall for themselves...”

Mirimaniants, H. The Village of Getashen. In: “Murj,” 1894, Nos. 7-8, pp. 1155-1156.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 362.

Indeed, the village community did “prepare a pitfall for themselves,” for the aforementioned exigent village head was a person highly concerned with the problems of Getashen and its further improvement. Thus, the amount the fined inhabitants paid him was used for the construction of a fine vaulted bridge of vital importance lying over the river Kurak, that flew through the centre of the village.

“Nor-Dar,” 1887, No. 127, p. 3.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 363.

1913 y․

In 1913 Getashen Armenians held the funeral of village head Arustam Yepiskopossian, whose governance had proved quite prolific, marking the construction of roads, bridges as well as new buildings for the local parish and public schools.

“Mshak,” 1913, No. 123, p. 2.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 363.

Estates
19 c․

A populous village serving as a seat for meliks, Getashen possessed large estates from times immemorial. In the early 19th century, the authorities provided the newly-arrived settlers with 8,228 dessiatinas 2,191 sazhens for farming, and 3,611 dessiatinas 479 sazhens for winter residence, in a site called Geran: “It borders on the river Geran, the road of Oghri as well as the lands of Borsunlu and the plain of Geran. Since then it has been called Geran-Chelaberd...”

“Mshak,” 1913, No. 72, p. 3.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 348.

Later, however, the village failed to expand its dominions; moreover, against the local people’s will, a plot of 200 dessiatinas was stripped of it and allocated to Secret State Counselor Chelyayev. As a result, in the early 20th century, Getashen Armenians already felt the acute shortage of arable land.

“Mshak,” 1913, No. 72, p. 3.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 348.

During the fierce Armeno-Turkish fights of 1905 as well as between 1918 and 1920, the remote domains of the village were consigned to neglect, for the local inhabitants did not dare to cultivate the soil with the Turks in the neighbourhood: “Getashen has 2,100 dessiatinas of arable land near the station of Gyoran... The fighting, however, has made it absolutely impossible to till it.”

A-Do, The Armeno-Turkish Fights in Caucasia. Yerevan, 1907, p. 333.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 348.

19 c․

In the 19th century, some small villages were set up in the vicinity of the cattle-houses belonging to Getashen but located outside the village. These villages, lying within a short distance of each other, were as follows: Murtunis (Mertsunis), situated 1.5 kilometres west of Getashen; Chilkin, located on the left bank of the river Kurak, 6 kilometres north-east of Getashen; Jragidzor (Chraghidzor), extending 2.5 kilometres south-west of Getashen, and Gyoran north-east of Getashen. In the Middle Ages, some of them represented prospering villages which were later abandoned and re-populated by Getashen Armenians only in the 19th century. During population censuses, the inhabitants of these satellite villages were registered together with those of Getashen.

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 349.

Description

Getashen boasted hundreds of residential buildings most of which were multi-storied, with wooden balconies and tiled roofs. Particularly distinguished were those belonging to the Melik-Mnatsakaniants, Youzbashi Michael, Khachatur Gabrielian and Priest Mesrop Ter-Grigoriants.

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 370.

The most important street of Getashen extended along the river bank. In general, all the main roads of the village were paved.

For further details on the architecture of the local houses, see Sargissian, M. Getashen. In: “Kultur-Lusavorakan Ashkhatank,” 1988, No. 2, pp. 13-20.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 371.

The village seen from the road leading to Yeghnasar Monastery Type Photo
View General
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Black-and-white negative
Date 1980 — 1982 yy․

Type Photo
View Partial view
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Black-and-white negative
Date 1980 — 1982 yy․

Partial view of the central quarters of the village Type Photo
View Partial view
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Black-and-white negative
Date 1980 — 1982 yy․

Partial view of the central quarters of the village Type Photo
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Black-and-white negative
Date 1980 — 1982 yy․

Partial view of the central quarters of the village Type Photo
View Partial view
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Black-and-white negative
Date 1980 — 1982 yy․

The houses of the Tzaturants Type Photo
View Exterior
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Black-and-white negative
Date 1980 — 1982 yy․

Houses Type Photo
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Black-and-white negative
Date 1980 — 1982 yy․

Houses Type Photo
View Partial view
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Black-and-white negative
Date 1980 — 1982 yy․

Houses Type Photo
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Black-and-white negative
Date 1980 — 1982 yy․

House Type Photo
View Exterior
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Black-and-white negative
Date 1980 — 1982 yy․

House (19th cent.) Type Photo
View Exterior
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Black-and-white negative
Date 1980 — 1982 yy․

House (19th cent.) Type Photo
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Black-and-white negative
Date 1980 — 1982 yy․

House (19th cent.) Type Photo
View Detail
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Black-and-white negative
Date 1980 — 1982 yy․

Houses (19th cent.) Type Photo
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Black-and-white negative
Date 1980 — 1982 yy․

House (19th cent.) Type Photo
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Black-and-white negative
Date 1980 — 1982 yy․

Houses (19th cent.) Type Photo
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Black-and-white negative
Date 1980 — 1982 yy․

Type Photo
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Colour Negative
Date 1980 — 1982 yy․

Type Photo
View `
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Colour Negative
Date 1980 — 1982 yy․

Type Photo
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Colour Negative
Date 1980 — 1982 yy․

Type Photo
Author Hakob Sanasarian
Source Colour Negative
Date 1980 — 1982 yy․

Houses Type Photo
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Colour Negative
Date 1980 — 1982 yy․

The quarter adjoining Sourb Astvatzatzin (Holy Virgin) Church. Type Photo
View Partial view
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Colour Negative
Date 1989 y․

Type Photo
View Exterior
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Colour Negative
Date 1980 — 1982 yy․

Type Photo
View Exterior
Author Hovhannes Badalian
Source Colour Negative

House in the central part of Getashen (late 19th century) Type Photo
View Exterior
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Colour Negative
Date 1980 — 1982 yy․

Type Photo
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Colour Negative
Date 1980 — 1982 yy․

Type Photo
Author Hovhannes Badalian
Source Colour Negative

Type Photo
View `
Author Hovhannes Badalian
Source Colour Negative

Author Frederick Berlemont
Date 2007 y․

The available statistical data relating to the local people represent the following picture:

Dates	Armenian Houses	Armenians (Male)	Armenians (Female)	Total (Armenians)	Notes	Source
1839	145	342	261	603		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3800, pp. 30-31. Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 359.
1845		592	552	1144	According to another archive document (National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3809, p. 31), Getashen had 100 houses with 1,012 inhabitants, including 510 males and 502 females.	National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3811, pp. 4-5; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 359.
1847		479	404	883		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3814, pp. 95-96; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 359.
1849		566	481	997		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3818, pp. 95-96; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 359.
1850	150	568	562	1130		National Archives of Armenia, fund 56, list 1, file 2596, p. 109; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 359.
1852		594	575	1169		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3819, pp. 105-106; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 359.
1853		614	584	1198		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 2743, pp. 16-17; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 359.
1854		608	582	1190		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3825, pp. 68-69; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 359.
1857		615	601	1216		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3830, pp. 74-75; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 359.
1858		621	611	1232		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3831, pp. 41-42; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 359.
1860		627	615	1242		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3833, pp. 108-109; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 359.
1861	146					National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3835, pp. 147-148; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 359.
1862	162					“Mshak,” 1913, No. 72, p. 3; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 359.
1863		665	634	1299		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3843, pp. 15-16; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 359.
1864		670	652	1322		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3846, pp. 23-24; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 359.
1865		675	650	1325		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3862, pp. 58-59; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 359.
1866	183	763	532	1295		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3848, p. 57; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 360.
1872		938	832	1770		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, file 3872, pp. 62-63; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 360.
1873	240			1621		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3864, pp. 39-40. Also see “Mshak,” 1913, No. 72, p. 3; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 360.
1874				1934		Caucasian Calendar for 1886, Tiflis, 1885, p. 125; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 360.
1875				1700		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3866, pp. 44-45; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 360.
1876				1709		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3868, pp. 57-58; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 360.
1877		930	810	1740		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3869, pp. 54-55; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 360.
1878		922	804	1726		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3870, pp. 22-23; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 360.
1881		961	846	1807		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3873, pp. 27-28; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 360.
1882		970	858	1828		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3874, p. 30; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 360.
1883		972	848	1820		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3875, pp. 56-57; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 360.
1885		793	662	1455		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3877, p. 29; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 360.
1886	300				Another statistical source reports 446 houses with 2,558 inhabitants (Yelizavetpol Province: A Statistical Survey Based on the Family Lists of Caucasia's Population. Tiflis, 1888, pp. 86-87).	“Ardzagank,” 1886, No. 19, p. 280; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 360.
1887		779	677	1456		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3880, p. 72; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 360.
1888		831	721	1552		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3882, p. 130; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 360.
1889		864	736	1600		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3884, pp. 226-227; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 360.
1890		887	767	1654		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3887, p. 1489; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 360.
1891	434	920	782	1702		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3889, p. 148. Also see Barkhutariants, M. Artsakh. Baku, 1895, p. 259; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 360.
1892	460	926	774	1700		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3891, p. 120. Also see “Nor-Dar,” 1892, No. 140, p. 3; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 360.
1893		953	781	1734		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3895, pp. 77-78; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 360.
1894	500	985	794	1779		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3896, p. 173. Also see “Murj,” 1894, Nos. 7-8, p. 1154; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 360.
1897	450	1037	827	1864		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3342, p. 3. Also see file 3899, pp. 146-147; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 360.
1898		1087	850	1937		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3897, p. 168; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 360.
1899		1092	861	1953		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3903, pp. 126-127; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 360.
1900		1136	861	1997		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3905, pp. 90-91; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 360.
1901		1172	949	2121		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3906, pp. 96-97; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 360.
1902		1164	931	2095		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3907, pp. 22-23; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 360.
1905		1174	950	2124		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3912, pp. 265-266; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 360.
1906		1840	1511	3351		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3915, p. 24; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 360.
1907				3464		National Archives of Armenia, fund 56, list 1, file 240, p. 2; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 360.
1908	550	1903	1589	3492	The village had 3,138 inhabitants, as attested by another source (Caucasian Calendar for 1910, p. 409).	National Archives of Armenia, fund 35, list 1, file 559, p. 8; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 360.
1909		1278	1112	2390		National Archives of Armenia, fund Պ56, list 18, file 764, p. 116; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 360.
1910		2000	1675	3675		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3917, pp. 56-57; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 360.
1911	650			3551		“Mshak,” 1913, No. 72, p. 3; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 360.
1912		1305	1143	2448		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3919, pp. 61-62; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 360.
1914				5080		Caucasian Calendar for 1915, Tiflis, 1914, p. 204; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 360.
1917	700			5361		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. 360.
1986				3568		Soviet Azerbaijanian Encyclopedia, vol. 10, Baku, 1987, p. 300; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 360.