Gag Castle :: ARMENIAN HISTORICAL MONUMENTS

Gag Castle 10 c․

Azerbaijan / Northern Artsakh / Ghazakh / Dash-Salahli

Location

Towers at the top of Mount Gag, within hardly a kilometre of the frontier of the Republic of Armenia, 2 kilometres west of Dash-Salahli Village.

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 298.

Historical Introduction
10 c․

The stronghold, that dates from the 10th century.

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 298.

Name Origin

A Historical Introduction. Most presumably, both the castle and the district got their names from that of Bagratid King Gagik I (989 to 1020): “…the district and the famous fort of Gag were built by King Gagik…”

History by Vardan Vardapet. Venice, 1862, p. 145.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 298.

Historical Introduction
11 c․

One of the earliest records on the monument traces back to the beginning of the 11th century, when king of Lori David Anhoghin suppressed certain centrifugal forces. With this regard, a quotation states, “…David the Landless suspected Marzpan Demetr, a prince residing in the castle of Gag, of having repudiated his forefathers’ religion and converted to the Georgian faith, for now he followed only the rites of the Georgian church… And David, the young handsome king, succeeded in expelling him from Gag thanks to his exceptional prudence…”

David the Landless, whose date of birth is unknown, took up reins of power in about 996 and died in 1048. Universal History by Stepanos Taronetsy the Asoghik. St. Petersburg, 1885, p. 257.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 298.

1001 y․

In 1001 Gagik I the Shahnshah took possession of the estates of David the Landless, who had risen in rebellion against the king. The former “…arrived in Aghstev District54 … via the fort of Gag.”

In Gugark Province of Metz Hayk. Universal History by Stepanos Taronetsy the Asoghik. St. Petersburg, 1885, p. 280.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 298.

11 c․

In the ‘60s of the 11th century, the Georgians and Abkhazians’ King Bagrat IV liberated Gag from the dominion of Emir Patlun.

A Brief History of Georgia by historian Juansher. Venice, 1884, p. 114.
Melikset-Bek, L. M. Georgian Sources about Armenia and Armenians, vol. 1, Yerevan, 1934, p. 208.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 298.

1123 y․

In 1123 Georgian King David the Builder “…conquered … the strongholds of Gag and Terunakan.”

A Collection of Historiographical Works compiled by Priest Samuel Anetsy. Vagharshapat, 1893, p. 125.
Also see History by Vardan Vardapet. Venice, 1862, p. 119.
History by Mkhitar Ayrivanetsy. Moscow, 1861, p. 62; Brief Chronicles, vol. 1. Compiled by Hakobian, V. A. Yerevan, 1951, p. 25.
Melikset-Bek, L. M. Georgian Sources about Armenia and Armenians, vol. 1, Yerevan, 1934, p. 218; vol. 3, Yerevan, 1955, p. 42.
Abrahamian, A. The Historiographical Works by Hovhannes the Sage. Yerevan, 1956, p. 134, in Armenian.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 298.

1162 y․

In 1162 the news of the occupation of Dvin (in Ayrarat Province of Metz Hayk) by Georgian King Giorgi III (1156 to 1184) “…reached Persian Atabek Yeltkuz, the sultan, who was in Khorasan (Khvarasan), and the caliph, i.e. the ruler of Great Babylon and the Arabs’ (Saracens’) false lawmaker, who was in Iragh. …all of them assembled in Ran, whence they headed towards Armenia (Somkhit). Their united forces conquered Gag Fort and devastated its neighbourhood.” Learning that the Georgians were preparing a counterattack, “…Yeltkuz ordered that the sultan’s troops, who were stationed in Gag, should abandon it. However, hardly had they crossed the river Yekeghyats when the Georgians caught and slaughtered them.”

Melikset-Bek, L. M. Georgian Sources about Armenia and Armenians, vol. 2, Yerevan, p. 9; vol. 3, Yerevan, 1955, p. 44.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 298.

1184 — 1213 yy․

In the first years of the reign of Georgian Queen Thamara (1184 to 1213), “…prince of Gag Hovhan (Ivane), who was Vardan’s son…” was among the feudal lords who had stirred up an insurrection with the objective of enforcing some restriction on the royal power. After the suppression of the revolt in 1191, Queen Thamara bestowed “Gag, together with the gorge of Kurdvajar and a great number of tax-paying cities, castles and townships,” on Bluz (Younger) Zakare (1176 to 1205), a representative of the Vahramian Branch of the Zakarians’ Family. Now his newly-granted dominions “…extended up to Gandzak.”

Melikset-Bek, L. M. Georgian Sources about Armenia and Armenians, vol. 2, Yerevan, 1936, p. 13.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 298.

13 c․

The construction inscription of Haghpat’s Khatunashen Sourb Astvatzatzin Church (in Lori Marz of the Republic of Armenia), dating back to the early 13th century, mentions Bluz Zakare as the ruler of Gag: “…Zakaria, who held possession of Gag and Tavush, Gardman and Terunakan and other districts...”

Ghafadarian, K. Haghpat. Yerevan, 1963, p. 220, in Armenian (the Armenian original of this part of the inscription reads, «...Զաքարիա, որ էր տէր Գագա եւ Տաւշո, Գարդմանա եւ Տէրունականին եւ այլոց գաւառաց...»).
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 298.

13 c․

Bluz Zakare was succeeded by his son Vahram Gagetsy (1205 to 1250/52), under whose dominion the fort became the seat of the Vahramians and one of the most famous centres in North-East Armenia.

For further information on Vahramian princes, see Shahnazarian, A. The Principality of the Vahramians. Yerevan, 1990, in Armenian.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 299.

1221 y․

“…Prince of Gag Vahram…” particularly distinguished himself at the battle of Kotman (1221) fought between the Mongols and the Armeno-Georgian united forces.

Grigor Aknertsy. History of the Tartars. Jerusalem, 1974, pp. 20-21, in Armenian.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 299.

1225 y․

After the victorious battle of Garni (1225) and the plunder of Dvin City, Khorezm’s Shah Jalal-ad-Din (1220 to 1231) “…spread ruin and devastation throughout Dvin, Ani and Gag, reaching even Gandzak and Shamkor. In a word, he conquered almost the whole country of Somkhit, most of the occupied territories once belonging to Vahram Gagetsy, a prudent man who had distinguished himself in many fights.”

Georgian Chronicles (1207 to 1318). Translated from old Georgian into Armenian with an introduction and notes by Muradian, P. Yerevan, 1971, p. 62.
Also see, Melikset-Bek L. M. Georgian Sources about Armenia and Armenians, vol. 2, Yerevan, 1936, p. 52; vol. 3, Yerevan, 1955, p. 49. A record states the following in connection with the aforementioned events, “Arriving in Atropatene with an army of 140,000, Jalal-ad-Din started destroying Hayk and, particularly, Gag, without sparing even little children…”
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 299.

In 1231 the Mongols defeated Jalal-ad-Din’s troops at the battle of Amid, which enabled Vahram Gagetsy to restore the territorial integrity of his estates.

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 299.

13 c․

After the conquest of Shamkor in the ‘30s of the 13th century, the Mongol-Tatars, led by commander Molar Nuin, occupied Vahram Gagetsy’s castles and districts without encountering any resistance. Some time later, that nobleman succeeded in restoring his dominions, including the fort of Gag: “Then he came and reconquered the stronghold and district, bequeathed to him by his forefathers. He also re-captured his castles in Tavush, Katzaret, Terunakan, Yergevank and Matznaberd, this last one belonging to Askhartan Kyurikiants. Vahram also strengthened his positions in Nor Berd, then under Prince Vasak’s rule, as well as in the impregnable fortress of Kavazin and famous Gag…”

History by Vardan Vardapet. Venice, 1862, pp. 144-145.
History of Armenia by Kirakos Gandzaketsy. Prepared for publication by Melik-Ohanjanian K. Yerevan, 1961, pp. 163, 243; Another record states, “Vahram also reconquered a great number of districts and fortifications that were under Persian rule, including the castles of Gag, Gardman, Karherdz, Yergevank, Tavush, Katzaret and Terunakan. Shamkor, which had appeared in a tight corner, was later occupied by his son Vahram, who was Saghpugh’s father and Vahram, Zakare and Ivane’s grandfather.”
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 299.

Archimandrite Vanakan Tavushetsy, who had been taken captive by the Mongols and was threatened with being sold, was set free only after the inhabitants of Gag Fort had paid ransom for him.

History of Armenia by Kirakos Gandzaketsy. Prepared for publication by Melik-Ohanjanian K. Yerevan, 1961, p. 252.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 300.

1242 y․

In 1242 mention is made of Gag prince Vahram and his son Aghbugha, who assisted the Mongols in conquering South Armenia together with many Armenian and Georgian nobles. After the conquest of Karin in Bardzr Hayk Province of Metz Hayk, they paid ransom for numerous Christians, purchased some Armenian manuscripts and donated them to the religious institutions of North Armenia.

History of Armenia by Kirakos Gandzaketsy. Prepared for publication by Melik-Ohanjanian K. Yerevan, 1961, p. 280.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 300.

1243 y․

In 1243 Vahram Gagetsy’s son Aghbugha participated in the battle of Chemankatuk against the forces of the sultan of Ikonion: “Prince of Gag Aghbugha, Vahram the Great’s son and Bluz Zakare’s grandson, fought bravely against the sultan’s troops…”

Grigor Aknertsy. History of the Tartars. Jerusalem, 1974, pp. 28-29.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 300.

13 c․

From the second half of the 13th century onwards, the available historical sources do not contain any information on the castle.

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 300.

Description
19 c․

A visitor of the late 19th century describes the monument in the following way, “Since time immemorial the summit of Mount Gag has been encircled by some ramparts within which an impregnable stronghold soars aloft. Unfortunately, this solid fortification, which is quite powerful, is devoid of waterwork. In compensation for that, some stone basins have been built into its walls, that are mostly full of rainwater. The castle has more than 20 caves which may have served as barracks, for several of them have preserved their chimneys.”

Barkhutariants, M. Artsakh. Baku, 1895, p. 396.
For further information on the castle of Gag, see Hovhannissian, H. M. The Castles of Armenia. Venice, 1970, pp. 487-492.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 300.