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Kartzakh 19 Monuments

Georgia (Country) / Javakhk (District) / Akhalkalak (District) / Kartzakh (Village)

Location

The village lies within 2 kilometres of the north-eastern shore of Lake Khozabuyn (Khozapin), 24 kilometres south-west of Akhalkalak in a straight line, between 1,830 and 1,870 metres of altitude above sea level.

A reference-book on the mountainous lakes of Armenia states the following about Khozapin: “Not far from Lake Cheltr [Cheldr], within 10 versts is located the great lake of Khos[z]abin, which occupies an area of 25 square versts, with mountains rising in the east. Surprising as it is, it does not show any signs of life: even the fish which were left in its waters rapidly disappeared. In the north of this island, where the water is deeper, lie almost 10 egg-shaped artificial isles which are covered with green vegetation and can hardly be seen on the surface of the water. The harvest of these islands is gathered by the Armenians living on the shore of the lake, for the Turks do not touch it...” («Բազմավէպ», 1891, էջ 248). Another source offers the following information: “Near Karzakh is situated the lake of the same name, which has absolutely no fish” («Արձագանք», 1885, N 3, էջ 41). Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 282.

Historical Introduction
1595 y․

As attested by the tax list of 1595, Metz Kartzakh had a population of 33 houses and paid 26,365 akches to the State Treasury. Judging from the personal names of the local house owners (these are either purely Armenian names or alien ones which were wide-spread in Armenian surroundings: Vardan, Sargis, Hovsep, Grigor, Sukias, Kirakos, Mkrtich, Umek, Ananik, Khachik, Sahak, etc.), it represented an Armenian-inhabited village.

“გურჯისტანის ვილაიეთის დიდი დავთარი”, էջ 277-278: Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 282.

1705 — 1706 yy․

In the days of Village Head Hyusein, between 1705 and 1706, it paid 19,165 akches to the state.

“ჩილდირის ეიალეთის ჯაბა დავთარი 1694-1732 წწ.”, էջ 118: Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 282.

1834 y․

After the Turkish inhabitants of Kartzakh had left for the Ottoman state, it was re-populated by Armenians. In 1834 it was purchased as an estate for Sourb Prkich Church of Akhaltskha. In 1893 it is mentioned as still belonging to this sanctuary.

Грикоров К., Селение Карзах, СМОМПК, Тифлис, 1893, էջ 92: Գեղամեանց Յ., Կարապետ արքեպիսկոպոս.– «Փորձ», 1876, N , էջ 196: According to another source, the village was purchased on 18 April 1841 («Մեղու Հայաստանի», 1875, N 38, էջ 1): Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 282.

1892 y․

The epidemic of plague which was raging throughout Caucasia in 1892 took away the largest number of lives from Kartzakh, causing 30 deaths there.

«Նոր-Դար», 1893, N 30, 20 փետրվարի: Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 282.

Scriptoria
1723 y․

“The colophon of a Gospel [created] in Kartzakh Village (1723)” mentions it as a scriptorium in 1850.

«Ցուցակ Ձեռագրաց», հ. Բ, Երևան, 1970, N 9983, էջ 1024: Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 282.

Population

The ancestors of the present-day inhabitants of Kartzakh were from Metz Du, Okom (Hokam), Avgover (Alvar) and Nist Villages, Karin Province. Between 1829 and 1830, they resettled in Chamdura Village, Kars Region, whence they moved to Kartzakh 4 years later. The present-day village of Kartzakh was populated by Turks until the year 1834.

Metz Du (presently renamed Büyüktüy), which was one of the Armenian-populated villages of Basen District, Karin Province was located 16 kilometres north-east of Karin City. Okom—presently renamed Ügümü—represented another Armenian-inhabited village in Basen District, Karin Province. It lay on the left bank of the Moorts, the left tributary of the river Arax. The location of Avgover remains indefinite. Nist, otherwise also known as Yerknist (presently renamed Yerlisu), was an Armenian village in Karin District, Karin Province. It was situated 8.5 kilometres north-west of Karin (Erzrum) City. Chamdura (Chandra) was one of the Armenian-inhabited villages of Cheldr District, Kars Region. It lay within 4.5 kilometres of the southern shore of Lake Khozapin and 5.5 kilometres of the northern shore of Lake Cheldr, 10 kilometres south of Kartzakh. Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 283.

Kartzakh participated in World War II with 580 of its inhabitants, 230 of whom sacrificed their lives on the battle-field.

Դավթյան Ա., Ջավախք, Երևան, 1994, էջ 101: Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 284.

Outstanding Personalities

Kartzakh is the birthplace of outstanding minstrel, poet and national singer Jivani (Serob Stepan Levonian): “Here is the hill called fort at the foot of which, in a hovel of an earthen roof located in the quarter named Kilerta, the large family of Gaspar from Benko’s kin found refuge after their movement from Basen. In 1846 Stepan’s fourth child Serovbe (Jivani) was born to this family.”

«Սովետական Վրաստան», 3.07.1986, էջ 4: Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 284.

Construction Activity

Kartzakh consists of 3 quarters: “...The village is divided into three main parts: Kartzakh, Kilerta and Norashen. All the local houses, which are situated close to each other, are built of stone, have only a single floor and earthen roofs. As compared to many other villages of the district, Kartzakh is distinguished for its finely-constructed houses, as well as wide and straight streets. A stream flowing between Kilerta and Kartzakh Quarters separates these parts of the village from one another.” The quarter of Norashen, which occupies the north-eastern part of Kartzakh, was established in 1884.

«Նոր-Դար», 1896, N 112, էջ 2: Լալայան Ե., Երկեր, հ. 1, Երևան, 1983, էջ 57: Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 283.

Economic Life
1860 y․

Thanks to the system of free management of economy, by the late 1860s, Kartzakh had grown into one of the most prosperous villages throughout Javakhk. In the subsequent years, however, it proved unable to maintain its welfare: “Some 6 to 7 years ago, Kartzakh was considered the richest and most progressive village in the district. However, when various hajjies started taking its lands by contract, the poor farmers of the entire village went bankrupt and were severely discouraged.”

Պիճիկեան Բ., Ախալքալաք եւ նրա շրջակայքը.– «Մշակ», 1877, N 10, էջ 2: Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 283.

19 c․

In the late 19th century, the village had 5 working mills, 3 oil presses, as well as between 9 and 10 small booths.

Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 283.

Almost every house in the quarter of Kilerta had its own well.

Грикоров К., Селение Карзах, СМОМПК, Тифлис, 1893, էջ 96: Տե՛ս նաև՝ «Նոր-Դար», 1896, N 112, էջ 2: Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 283.

Type Photo
View General
Direction From the north-east
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Colour Negative
Date 2005 y․

Type Photo
View Exterior
Direction From the north-east
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Black-and-white negative
Date 1988 — 1989 yy․

Name	Year/Century	Etymology
Metz Kartzakh	1595 y․
Karzakh

The local population continually grew during the 19th and 20th centuries. This is substantiated by the table of statistical records which follows below:

Dates	Armenian Houses	Armenians (Male)	Armenians (Female)	Total (Armenians)	Notes	Source
1840		326	291	617		Հայաստանի ազգային դիվան, (National Archives of Armenia), ֆ. 53, ց. 1, գ. 3800, թ. 4: Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 283.
1841		327	293	620		Հայաստանի ազգային դիվան, (National Archives of Armenia), ֆ. 53, ց. 1, գ. 3802, թ. 63-64: Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 283.
1842		335	354	639		Հայաստանի ազգային դիվան, (National Archives of Armenia), ֆ. 53, ց. 1, գ. 3805, թ. 76-77: Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 283.
1844		365	324	689		Հայաստանի ազգային դիվան, (National Archives of Armenia), ֆ. 53, ց. 1, գ. 3809, թ. 14-15: Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 283.
1845		460	440	900		Հայաստանի ազգային դիվան, (National Archives of Armenia), ֆ. 53, ց. 1, գ. 3811, թ. 72-73: Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 283.
1847		470	460	930		Հայաստանի ազգային դիվան, (National Archives of Armenia), ֆ. 53, ց. 1, գ. 3814, թ. 33-34: Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 283.
1849		494	467	961		Հայաստանի ազգային դիվան, (National Archives of Armenia), ֆ. 53, ց. 1, գ. 3818, թ. 40-41: Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 283.
1851	71	447	400	847		Հայաստանի ազգային դիվան, (National Archives of Armenia), ֆ. 56, ց. 1, գ. 2596, թ. 34-35: Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 283.
1853		476	470	946		Հայաստանի ազգային դիվան, (National Archives of Armenia), ֆ. 53, ց. 1, գ. 2743, թ. 39-40: Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 283.
1854		473	469	942		Հայաստանի ազգային դիվան, (National Archives of Armenia), ֆ. 53, ց. 1, գ. 3825, թ. 49-50: Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 283.
1857		508	474	982		Հայաստանի ազգային դիվան, (National Archives of Armenia), ֆ. 53, ց. 1, գ. 3830, թ. 52-53: Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 283.
1860		523	506	1029		Հայաստանի ազգային դիվան, (National Archives of Armenia), ֆ. 53, ց. 1, գ. 3833, թ. 66-67: Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 283.
1861		584	524	1108		Հայաստանի ազգային դիվան, (National Archives of Armenia), ֆ. 53, ց. 1, գ. 3839, թ. 23-24: Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 283.
1862		606	534	1140		Հայաստանի ազգային դիվան, (National Archives of Armenia), ֆ. 53, ց. 1, գ. 3836, թ. 20-21: Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 283.
1863		624	541	1165		Հայաստանի ազգային դիվան, (National Archives of Armenia), ֆ. 53, ց. 1, գ. 3843, թ. 21-22: Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 283.
1864		620	532	1152		Հայաստանի ազգային դիվան, (National Archives of Armenia), ֆ. 53, ց. 1, գ. 3846, թ. 10-11: Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 283.
1866	128	619	528	1147		Հայաստանի ազգային դիվան, (National Archives of Armenia), ֆ. 53, ց. 1, գ. 3848, թ. 74: Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 283.
1867		651	544	1195		Հայաստանի ազգային դիվան, (National Archives of Armenia), ֆ. 53, ց. 1, գ. 3851, թ. 21-22: Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 283.
1868		592	576	1168		Հայաստանի ազգային դիվան, (National Archives of Armenia), ֆ. 53, ց. 1, գ. 3853, թ. 27: Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 283.
1869		610	598	1208		Հայաստանի ազգային դիվան, (National Archives of Armenia), ֆ. 53, ց. 1, գ. 3856, թ. 9: Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 283.
1870		619	608	1227		Հայաստանի ազգային դիվան, (National Archives of Armenia), ֆ. 53, ց. 1, գ. 3857, թ. 23: Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 283.
1871		633	636	1269		Հայաստանի ազգային դիվան, (National Archives of Armenia), ֆ. 53, ց. 1, գ. 3858, թ. 9-10: Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 283.
1872		656	629	1285		Հայաստանի ազգային դիվան, (National Archives of Armenia), ֆ. 53, ց. 1, գ. 3859, թ. 56-57: Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 283.
1873		675	632	1307		Հայաստանի ազգային դիվան, (National Archives of Armenia), ֆ. 53, ց. 1, գ. 3862, թ. 70-71: Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 283.
1874				1319		Հայաստանի ազգային դիվան, (National Archives of Armenia), ֆ. 53, ց. 1, գ. 3864, թ. 25-26: Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 283.
1875	160			1342		Հայաստանի ազգային դիվան, (National Archives of Armenia), ֆ. 53, ց. 1, գ. 3866, թ. 21-22: Also see «Մեղու Հայաստանի», 1875, N 44, էջ 2: Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 283.
1876		726	654	1380		Հայաստանի ազգային դիվան, (National Archives of Armenia), ֆ. 53, ց. 1, գ. 3868, թ. 29: Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 283.
1877		833	715	1548		Հայաստանի ազգային դիվան, (National Archives of Armenia), ֆ. 53, ց. 1, գ. 3869, թ. 28-29: Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 283.
1878		838	720	1558		Հայաստանի ազգային դիվան, (National Archives of Armenia), ֆ. 53, ց. 1, գ. 3850, թ. 217-218: Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 283.
1880		869	757	1626		Հայաստանի ազգային դիվան, (National Archives of Armenia), ֆ. 53, ց. 1, գ. 3872, թ. 86-87: Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 284.
1881		906	778	1684		Հայաստանի ազգային դիվան, (National Archives of Armenia), ֆ. 53, ց. 1, գ. 3873, թ. 96-97: Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 284.
1882		919	797	1716		Հայաստանի ազգային դիվան, (National Archives of Armenia), ֆ. 53, ց. 1, գ. 3874, թ. 42-43: Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 284.
1883		921	800	1721		Հայաստանի ազգային դիվան, (National Archives of Armenia), ֆ. 53, ց. 1, գ. 3875, թ. 47-48: Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 284.
1884	166					«Արձագանք», 1885, N 3, էջ 41: Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 284.
1885		965	928	1893		Հայաստանի ազգային դիվան, (National Archives of Armenia), ֆ. 53, ց. 1, գ. 3877, թ. 10: Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 284.
1886		965	828	1893		Հայաստանի ազգային դիվան, (National Archives of Armenia), ֆ. 53, ց. 1, գ. 3878, թ. 11: Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 284.
1887		1145	901	2046		Հայաստանի ազգային դիվան, (National Archives of Armenia), ֆ. 53, ց. 1, գ. 3880, թ. 39-40: Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 284.
1889		1180	933	2113		Հայաստանի ազգային դիվան, (National Archives of Armenia), ֆ. 53, ց. 1, գ. 3884, թ. 64-65: Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 284.
1890		1218	960	2178		Հայաստանի ազգային դիվան, (National Archives of Armenia), ֆ. 53, ց. 1, գ. 3887, թ. 143: Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 284.
1891		1242	995	2237		Հայաստանի ազգային դիվան, (National Archives of Armenia), ֆ. 53, ց. 1, գ. 3889, թ. 142: Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 284.
1892		1242	941	2183		Հայաստանի ազգային դիվան, (National Archives of Armenia), ֆ. 53, ց. 1, գ. 3891, թ. 114: Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 284.
1893	240	1235	932	2167		Հայաստանի ազգային դիվան, (National Archives of Armenia), ֆ. 53, ց. 1, գ. 3895, թ. 41-42: Also see «Մուրճ», 1894, N 5, էջ 793: Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 284.
1894		1237	946	2183		Հայաստանի ազգային դիվան, (National Archives of Armenia), ֆ. 53, ց. 1, գ. 3896, թ. 167-168: Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 284.
1897		1312	1024	2336		Հայաստանի ազգային դիվան, (National Archives of Armenia), ֆ. 53, ց. 1, գ. 3899, թ. 140-141: Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 284.
1898		1332	1038	2370		Հայաստանի ազգային դիվան, (National Archives of Armenia), ֆ. 53, ց. 1, գ. 3897, թ. 163: Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 284.
1899		1348	1058	2401		Հայաստանի ազգային դիվան, (National Archives of Armenia), ֆ. 53, ց. 1, գ. 3903, թ. 93-94: Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 284.
1900		1374	1095	2469		Հայաստանի ազգային դիվան, (National Archives of Armenia), ֆ. 53, ց. 1, գ. 3905, թ. 55: Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 284.
1901		1417	1133	2550		Հայաստանի ազգային դիվան, (National Archives of Armenia), ֆ. 53, ց. 1, գ. 3906, թ. 67: Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 284.
1902		1475	1167	2642		Հայաստանի ազգային դիվան, (National Archives of Armenia), ֆ. 53, ց. 1, գ. 3907, թ. 17-18: Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 284.
1905		1597	1280	2877		Հայաստանի ազգային դիվան, (National Archives of Armenia), ֆ. 53, ց. 1, գ. 3912, թ. 260-261: Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 284.
1908	332	1679	1319	2998		Հայաստանի ազգային դիվան, (National Archives of Armenia), ֆ. 35, ց. 1, գ. 559, թ. 42: Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 284.
1910		1798	1391	3189		Հայաստանի ազգային դիվան, (National Archives of Armenia), ֆ. 53, ց. 1, գ. 3917, թ. 134-135: Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 284.
1912		1891	1489	3380		Հայաստանի ազգային դիվան, (National Archives of Armenia), ֆ. 53, ց. 1, գ. 3920, թ. 17-18: Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 284.
1914		1975	1549	3524	Another source reports 3,088 inhabitants for the same year (“Кавказский календарь на 1915 г.”, Тифлис, 1914, стр. 136).	Հայաստանի ազգային դիվան, (National Archives of Armenia), ֆ. 56, ց. 6, գ. 1020, թ. 171-172: Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 284.
1916		2000	1546	3546		Հայաստանի ազգային դիվան, (National Archives of Armenia), ֆ. 196, ց. 1, գ. 43, թ. 18-19: Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 284.
1918	430	1915	1898	3813		Հայաստանի ազգային դիվան, (National Archives of Armenia), ֆ. 469, ց. 3, գ. 2, թ. 1-4: Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 284.
1921		450	350	800		Հայաստանի ազգային դիվան, (National Archives of Armenia), ֆ. 355, ց. 1, գ. 895, թ. 1: Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 284.
1987	279			994		As attested by the documents kept at the Village Council. Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 284.