Ecumenical Genocide Memorial, Berlin: Commemorative Plate for Harput / Kharberd Administration After the proclamation of the ‘vilayet nizamnamesi’ (province regulation), together with Harput Mamüret ül-Aziz (Mezre) formed a mutasarriflik, first attached to Diyarbekir and then independent (1875), until 1878, when it was re-organized as a separate province of same name.(1) Mezre (also: Mezereh) is today’s Elazıg, which in Ottoman times formed the lower town of the double-provincial capital Harput-Mezre of the Mutesarriflik Mamuret-ül-Aziz. The much older Harput, an Armenian foundation (Kharberd) in the north-east of Elazıg, now forms an insignificant settlement. The sancak comprised the five kazas Harput-Mezre (Mezere), Keban Maden, Arapgir (Arabkir), [...]
Archives: Regions
Our CPT for the regions
Kaza Malazgirt / Մանազկերտ – Manazkert / Manzikert / Manavazakert
Ecumenical Genocide Memorial, Berlin: Commemorative Plate for Malazgirt (Manazkert) Toponym The oldest name of the city, Manavazakert (Western Armenian pronunciation: Manavazagerd – ‘Fortress of Manavaz’), according to the Armenian historian Movses Khorenatsi, refers to King Manavaz, the grandson of the mythical founder of the Armenian royal dynasty, Hayk. From the year 390 it became the place name Manzikert or Manazkert (Manazgerd); the name form Malazgird is documented from 952. Manavaz probably refers to the Urartian ruler Menua (c. 810-778 B.C.), whose inscription was found in Adaköy, close to the town center.[1] Menua developed a canal and irrigation system that stretched across his kingdom. The [...]
Kaza Siirt / ܣܥܪܬ Siʿret / Sa’irt / Սղերդ – Sġerd / Sgherd
Ecumenical Genocide Memorial, Berlin: Commemorative Plate for Siirt Population “Before World War I, Siirt and the surrounding villages formed a Christian enclave. About 60,000 Christians (25,000 Armenians, 20,000 Syrian Orthodox, 15,000 Chaldeans) lived here.”[1] Armenian Population According to the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople, around 1914 there lived 4,437 Armenians in nine localities of the kaza of Siirt, maintaining three churches, one monastery and two schools with 330 students.[2] Syriac Population “Before World War I, the town and its surrounding villages were a Christian enclave, but with considerate variation. Immediately surrounding Sa’irt, the Christian communities belonged to the Chaldean Church. [The Chaldean priest of Mardin, Joseph] Tfinkdji [...]
Kaza Sason / Սասուն – Sasun
Ecumenical Genocide Memorial, Berlin: Commemorative Plate for Sasun (Sason) Sasun is a mountainous region in the Armenian Taurus mountain range. The territory of Sasun is mainly composed of the southern foothills of Simi (Sim), Sasno and Salna Mountains. Simsar (Mt Sim; 2689 m), Andokasar (Mt Antok; 2830 m), Tsovasar, Marutasar (Mt. Marut; Maratuk, 2967 m) and other mountain peaks are known. The tributaries of the Tigris flow through the Sasun. The Olor (Aghor) and Baghesh (Bitlis; Zorapahak) mountain passes are of great importance. The climate of Sasun is generally cool and healthy. It has a harsh and cold winter with a [...]
Kaza Muş / Մուշ – Mush
Ecumenical Genocide Memorial, Berlin: Commemorative Plate for Mush Mush (Source: Magazine “Arax”, 1893) Armenian Population “In the plain of Mush, the Armenians are in a large majority, the official figures for the caza allowing them a total of 35,300, as against 21,250 Mussulmans. Some 2,500 of their number are Catholics, and about 500 Protestants.”[1] According to the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople there lived 75,623 Armenians in 103 localities of the kaza Mush, maintaining 113 churches, 74 monasteries, and 87 schools for 3,057 students.[2] Muş, 1890s City of Muş / Մուշ – Mush Henry Finnis Blosse Lynch: “…the most Mis-Governed Town in the Ottoman Empire” “Mush is the most [...]