Daroink (Bayazet): A Tale of Ancient Armenian Resilience and Tragedy

Nestled amidst the rugged mountains of Ararat, the ancient city of Daroink—known today as Bayazet—holds a rich and tumultuous history. From its origins as a fortress to its transformation into a Sultan’s palace, Daroink’s story weaves together the threads of Armenian heritage, conquests, and heart-wrenching loss.

The Early Centuries: Birth of Daroink

• 8th Century BC: The Kingdom of Ararat’s rulers erected the Daroink fortress, perched strategically on a hill.
• 6th-4th Centuries BC: Daroink thrived as part of the Armenian satrapy.
• 4th-3rd Centuries BC: It became integral to the Armenian Kingdom of Ayrarat.
• 2nd Century BC – 5th Century AD: Daroink played a crucial role in Greater Armenia, housing the state treasury for four centuries.

The Persian Threat and Arshak II’s Bold Move

In the 4th century, Persian forces coveted the Armenian treasury stored within Daroink’s walls. However, their attempts to storm the fortress failed.

• 350 AD: Armenian King Arshak II faced rebellion from the Naharars (nobles).
• Seeking refuge and power, Arshak II founded a new city within Daroink’s protective embrace. He named it Arshakavan, declaring it the new capital of Greater Armenia.
• The Naharars and religious leaders resisted this shift, leading to conflict.

Catastrophe and Rebirth

• The Naharars attacked Arshakavan, sparing only infants for future enslavement. Catholicos Nerses I intervened, ensuring the babies’ safety.
• Arshakavan vanished, but in 390, the Bagratuni dynasty restored the Daroink fortress as their residence.
• For centuries, Daroink shifted hands—from an Armenian province to an emirate and later part of the Armenian Kingdom of Ani.

Turmoil and Transformation

• Arab forces captured Daroink in 920 but lost it a year later to the Artsruni dynasty.
• Byzantine troops briefly held it, but the Turks eventually arrived from Central Asia.
• The Shah-Armen dynasty ruled, followed by Mongol and Turkmen control.
• In the mid-16th century, the Ottoman Empire absorbed Daroink.

Tragedy and Resilience

• Russian and Armenian forces recaptured Bayazet (formerly Daroink) in 1877.
• A Turkish siege led to a massacre, with Kurds brutally attacking the defenseless city.
• A small Armenian garrison heroically held out for 26 days.
• In 1915, Russian troops reclaimed Bayazet, but the Turks reoccupied it, sealing the fate of the remaining Armenian population.

Legacy and Remembrance

• Bayazet’s past echoes through its vanished Armenian villages, churches, monasteries, and schools.
• The descendants of those 26,251 Armenians who once thrived here carry the weight of history—a testament to resilience and the enduring spirit of a lost city.

Daroink’s saga stands as a poignant reminder of the indomitable human spirit, even in the face of tragedy and upheaval.

Artatsolum

Here are some authoritative sources that provide detailed information about the history of the Daroink fortress (also known as Bayazet):

1. The Ancient Armenian City of Daroink:
   • The Daroink fortress dates back to the 8th century BC, when the rulers of the Ararat Kingdom laid its foundations. Over the centuries, it changed hands multiple times, serving as a critical asset for the Armenian satrapy, the Ayrarat Armenian kingdom, and Greater Armenia. During the 1st century, it became the site of a powerful fortress that housed the state treasury for 400 years. Despite Persian attempts to seize the treasury, the fortress remained impervious.
   • In 350 AD, Armenian King Arshak II built the city of Arshakavan within Daroink, declaring it the new capital of Greater Armenia. This move sparked further rebellion from the Nakharars and the Armenian Apostolic Church. Daroink faced invasions, regime changes, destruction, and restoration throughout its history. Ultimately, it fell into the hands of the Ottoman Empire, resulting in numerous massacres of the Armenian population. In 1915, Bayazet (formerly Daroink) was home to 26,251 Armenians, whose descendants would number around 150,000 today. The city’s legacy stands as a testament to Armenia’s resilience and cultural heritage.
2. History of the Ancestors: the six-pointed star in the history of Armenia:
   • While not specific to Daroink, this source discusses ancient Armenian cities and fortresses, demonstrating their remarkable understanding of geometry in sacred building construction. These structures utilized complex patterns of squares, rectangles, circles, and intersecting shapes.
3. Daroink – Arshakavan fortress at the southern foot of Ararat:
   • This source highlights that in the I–IV centuries AD, the kings of the Arshakuni dynasty built a citadel at the southern foot of Mount Ararat, which corresponds to the location of Daroink.