SEARCH SYSTEM OF THE ARMENIAN HIGHLAND MONUMENTS

Brajur 4 Monuments

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

Location

Brajur lies 3 kilometres north of Mirzik, 9 kilometres south-west of the district centre, between 980 and 1,040 metres of altitude above sea level.

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 343.

Name Origin

The toponym of ‘Brajur’ “...may be etymologized as ‘dug up water,’ for the local people had to dig up the soil to convey water flowing in two distinct places to their village.”

‘Brel’ is the Armenian equivalent for ‘dig.’ “Ardzagank,” 1886, No. 20, p. 295.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 343.

Construction Activity
19 c․

In 1890 “most of the local houses represent uncomfortable sunken dwellings of earthen roofs...” Almost eight years later, another visitor wrote, “The village comprises more or less regular streets, with most of its houses built in the recent fashion, although the barns and cattle-sheds are located near them.”

“Nor-Dar,” 1890, No. 119, p. 2;
Lalayan, Yer. Gandzak District. In: “Azgagrakan Handes,” vol. 5, Tiflis, 1899, No. 1, p. 315.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 343.

Population

Bishop Barkhutariants writes that the inhabitants of Brajur were “natives of the village,” but other scholars claim that it also comprised some Armenian resettlers from Persia.

Barkhutariants, M. Artsakh. Baku, 1895, p. 278.
Lalayan, Yer. Gandzak District. In: “Azgagrakan Handes,” vol. 5, Tiflis, 1899, No. 1, p. 315.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 343.

The village of Brajur “...originally consisted of merely five Armenian houses. Under Karabakh and Yerevan Khans Ibrahim and Mahmad, several Armenian families left these provinces, unable to endure the Persian tyranny any further. They reached here and joined the natives, setting up a small village...”

“Nor-Dar,” 1890, No. 70, p. 3.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 343.

The “Ardzagank” correspondent wrote the following with this regard, “During the Persian war, several families from Yerevan and others from Erkej Village of Karabakh took up residence here...”

“Ardzagank,” 1886, No. 20, p. 295.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 343.

1839 y․

Below follows a list (1839) of Brajur inhabitants that is of great importance to the study of their history:

“Karapet Arakelian, his mother Mariam, his wife Javahir, their daughter Begzata as well as their sons Babajan and Avetis;
Hakob Hovhannissian, his wife Mariam and their daughter Sultan;
Vardan Khachaturian, his daughter Mariam as well as his sons Sargis and Avag;
Mnatsakan Sargissian, his wife Nazani, their son Harutiun and their daughter Magtagh;
Hakob Matevossian, his wife Vardi, his daughter, lady Mina, as well as his sons Poghos and Khachatur;
Karapet Harutiunian, his wife Mariam and their son Mkrtich; Karapet’s brother Mnatsakan, his wife Rehan, their son Simeon as well as their daughters Mariam, Hori and Herik;
Petros Melkumian, his wife Tangi and their son Kostand; Petros’ brothers Navasard, Baghdasar, Hovhannes and their mother Khatayi;
Barkhudar Tzaturian, his wife Herik and their daughter Magtagh; Barkhudar’s brother Sukias and his wife Horomsim;
Margar Grigorov, his wife Heriknaz and their son Ghahraman; Margar’s brother Hakob as well as his sisters Anna and Yeghisabet;
Hovhannes Harutiunian and his mother Varvar;
Sahak Antonian and his spouse Margaret;
Bakhtiar Ghazarian, his brother Stepan and their mother Gayane;
Ghuli Allahverdian, his wife Taguhi, their daughter Siranna as well as their sons Mkrtich and Hovhannes;
Ohannes Sargissian, his wife Mariam, their daughter Taguhi as well as their sons Sargis and Martiros; Ohannes’ brother Stepan, his wife Zari, their son Harutiun and their daughter Sabed;
Harutiun Melkumian, his wife Sara, their daughter Herik as well as their sons Ohannes and Gabriel with his wife Herik.”

National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3800, p. 26.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 343.

The table indicates that on the whole, the population of Brajur increased throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries. In the course of some years, however, their number plummeted down due to resettlement, political instability (as between 1905 and 1906) and World War I.

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 344.

Occupation

Brajur Armenians “are industrious to such an extent that they even spend sleepless nights thinking about tomorrow’s work. The local people are mainly occupied with farming, cattle-breeding and partly carting...”

“Nor-Dar,” 1890, No. 70, p. 3.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 344.

They could also be considered miners, for “There are fields of flint and white stone in the south of the village: the latter resembles the stones of the quarry of Hin Gharabulagh which are sold in Baku.”

Barkhutariants, M. Artsakh. Baku, 1895, p. 278.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 344.

Carpet weaving was another craft developed in Brajur: “The women and girls of this village are equally diligent... they are engaged in a praiseworthy craft, namely they weave valuable carpets, multicoloured kaperts and other minor items which can compete even with the handiwork of Persian masters with their fineness.”

A napless carpet. “Nor-Dar,” 1890, No. 70, p. 3.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 344.

Priests
1905 — 1923 yy․

Between 1905 and 1923, priest of Mirzik Martiros Yepiskopossiants served in the village.

National Archives of Armenia, fund 57Պ, list 3, file 259, p. 4.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 346.

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

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

Name	Year/Century	Etymology
Gharakeshish

Chronologically arranged, the available statistical data relating to the local population represent the following picture:

Dates	Armenian Houses	Armenians (Male)	Armenians (Female)	Total (Armenians)	Notes	Source
1804	7	15	10	25		Collected Acts of the Caucasian Archaeological Commission, vol. 2, Tiflis, 1868, p. 596; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 344.
1839	15	41	35	76		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3800, p. 26; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 344.
1845		63	54	117		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3811, pp. 4-5; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 344.
1847		54	60	114		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3814, pp. 96-97; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 344.
1849		76	63	139		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3818, pp. 96-97; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 344.
1852		85	76	161		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3819, pp. 105-106; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 344.
1861	16					National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3835, pp. 147-148; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 344.
1866	21	96	79	175		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3848, p. 57; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 344.
1872		179	126	305		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3872, pp. 62-63; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 344.
1873				236		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3864, pp. 39-40; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 344.
1876				254		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3868, pp. 57-58; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 344.
1877		159	102	261		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3869, pp. 54-55; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 344.
1878		164	118	282		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3870, pp. 22-23; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 344.
1881		184	128	312		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3873, pp. 27-28; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 344.
1882		191	137	328		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3874, p. 30; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 344.
1883		195	141	336		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3875, pp. 56-57 ;Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 344.
1885		145	125	270		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3877, p. 29; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 344.
1886	35	190	163	353	Another source mentions 24 houses (“Ardzagank,” 1886, No. 20, p. 295).	Yelizavetpol Province: A Statistical Survey Based on the Family Lists of Caucasia's Population. Tiflis, 1888, pp. 84-85; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 344.
1887		165	145	310		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3880, p. 73; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 344.
1888		176	150	326		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3882, p. 131; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 344.
1889		182	152	334		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3884, pp. 226-227; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 344.
1890		185	165	350		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3887, p. 150; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 344.
1891	33	191	171	362		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3889, p. 149. Also see Barkhutariants, M. Artsakh. Baku, 1895, p. 278; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 344.
1892		195	169	364		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3891, p. 121; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 344.
1893		199	175	374		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3915, p. 24; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 344.
1894		208	178	386		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3896, pp. 72-73; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 344.
1897		229	191	420		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3899, pp. 147-148; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 344.
1898		233	194	427		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3897, p. 169; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 344.
1899		241	201	441		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3903, pp. 126-127; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 344.
1900		248	206	454		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3905, pp. 91-92; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 344.
1901		256	210	466		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3906, pp. 97-98; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 344.
1902		263	214	477		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3907, pp. 23-24; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 344.
1905		266	220	486		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3912, pp. 266-267; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 344.
1906		284	231	515		National Archives of Armenia, fund 35, list 1, file 559, p. 9. Also see file 3915, p. 24; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 344.
1907				457		National Archives of Armenia, fund 56, list 1, file 240, p. 2; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 344.
1908	33	255	200	455		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3895, pp. 77-78. Also see fund 35, list 1, file 559, p. 9; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 344.
1909		262	210	472		National Archives of Armenia, fund Պ56, list 18, file 764, p. 117; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 344.
1910		269	221	490		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3917, pp. 57-58; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 344.
1912		271	223	494		National Archives of Armenia, fund 53, list 1, file 3919, pp. 62-63; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 344.
1914				412		Caucasian Calendar for 1915, Tiflis, 1914, p. 135; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 344.
1917	56			387		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. 344.
1924	82					National Archives of Armenia, fund 409, list 1, file 2635, p. 49; Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 344.