Regarding the willingness of the Meliks to help Russian troops take full control of Karabakh and their refusal to side with the Khan against Russia in favor of the Turks Astrakhan, July 15, 1785
Karabakh Armenian Danilo Ivanov, who visited Your Excellency last year on behalf of the Meliks, has once again arrived here. He carries no letters from anyone, nor any correspondence, but was sent solely to obtain confirmation regarding whether the Russian army will arrive within a year. This would allow them time to prepare and supply themselves accordingly. They request that if the Russian army advances toward Ganja, they will join forces and take control not only of all of Karabakh but also of the city of Shusha itself.
The Khan, suspecting them of correspondence with us, said that he forgives what they have done up to now, but from now on, they must refrain from further actions, as he himself wishes to serve the Turks. In response, the Meliks told him that they do not acknowledge the Turks but will continue to serve the Khan himself.
Regarding the Turkish envoys who arrived at the Khan’s court, we report that they were sent with the message that, just as Georgia remains allied with Russia due to religious affinity, so too should Karabakh recognize only Turkish authority and assist the Turks in all matters during a war against Russia. The Khans agreed and continue to maintain correspondence with them.
Given the arrival of Danilo Ivanov and these important developments, as per the request of the Meliks and the reports brought by him, I find it necessary to inform Your Excellency. If his presence is required in person, I am prepared to send him wherever directed, or he may remain here until Your Excellency arrives.
(Source: Armenian-Russian Relations in the 18th Century, Vol. IV, Yerevan, 1990, Document No. 224.)
Letter from King Erekle II of Georgia to General P. Potemkin
On Ibrahim Khan’s orientation toward the Ottoman Empire and his persecution of Armenian Meliks in Karabakh due to their ties with Russia November 2, 1786
When Dr. Reinecke arrived here from the imperial court, at the same time, an Armenian from Khamsa came from Russia. That same Armenian brought letters to the Khamsa Meliks, but we were completely unaware of his dealings. After some time, the Meliks themselves disclosed all correspondence with him, revealing the situation.
Upon learning of this, Ibrahim Khan was enraged and stripped Melik Apoi of his title. After that, his hostility toward us intensified, and he severed ties with Russian protection. From that time forward, he became hostile, engaging in correspondence with the Ottoman Porte, Erzurum’s Patal Pasha, and Akhaltsikhe’s Suleiman Pasha, encouraging them to act against us.
Twice, he was rewarded by the Turkish Sultan, receiving various promises of favor. Seeing such benefits from the Ottoman side, he betrayed his oath and openly turned against us. We had no intention of establishing a Khan in Ganja, but he did so, writing to the people of Yerevan, sending troops there, and striving to wrest Yerevan from us to claim it for himself.
Furthermore, he sent letters to the nomadic Tatars, long affiliated with us, urging them to abandon us and align themselves with him. In every way possible, he seeks to harm us. Therefore, we must retaliate accordingly.
(Source: Armenian-Russian Relations in the 18th Century, Vol. IV, Yerevan, 1990, Document No. 230.)
Report from Colonel S. Burnashev to General P. Potemkin
On a intercepted letter from Ibrahim Khan of Shusha to the Ottoman Sultan, including a blank sheet for negotiating terms February 25, 1787
Upon the arrival of the Tsar’s forces in Kazakh villages, we discovered letters from Ibrahim Khan addressed to the Turkish court. They had been secretly sent through Kazakh territory to Akhaltsikhe. However, upon the entry of our troops, fear overtook him to such an extent that, in his hurried escape, he forgot his bag of letters.
I take the honor of presenting a translation of these documents to Your Excellency.
In addition to the letters, there was a blank sheet bearing Ibrahim Khan’s seal, apparently intended for writing out terms agreeable to the Ottoman authorities. This document remains in my possession.
(Source: Armenian-Russian Relations in the 18th Century, Vol. IV, Yerevan, 1990, Document No. 234.)
Translation of the Letter from Ibrahim Khan of Shusha to the Ottoman Sultan
Promising, with Turkish support, to “break the noses” and “turn upside down” the Christians February 25, 1787
Translation from the original letter of Ibrahim Khan of Shusha to the Porte:
The most humble of all servants, Ibrahim Khalil, desires to be among those who stand before the most exalted and radiant throne of the kindest among all rulers, the sovereign of sovereigns, akin to the heavens.
I report to Your Most Serene Highness that I appoint myself as an envoy to the supreme court, inhabited by angels, and place all my hopes upon its generosity, vast as the sea, having no other refuge and considering my life, property, lands, and people as mere dust at the feet of the great deputy of our Prophet.
Our lawful sovereign!
If it pleases you to bestow upon your humble servant countless mercies, then entrust me, above all your other servants, with the duty of striving for the benefit of our faith, for which I will spare no effort, nor hesitate to sacrifice my life. And once assured of the great sovereign’s support, I still have the strength to break the noses of the enemies of our faith.
At this moment, I send my vizier, Molla Hasan, a man of supreme wisdom and pure heart, who enjoys my trust in the most significant affairs, to Your Highness. By God’s mercy, upon his safe arrival, he will humbly present our thoughts and current circumstances.
Most merciful sovereign, ruler of times and ages, I await your assistance. If you strengthen us, we shall turn the enemies of our faith upside down. Trust the representations of our envoy. I dare not present anything unnecessary—let the will of the great sovereign be fulfilled.
Note: Colonel Stepan Burnashev (Source: Armenian-Russian Relations in the 18th Century, Vol. IV, Yerevan, 1990, Document No. 234.)
Report from Colonel S. Burnashev to General P. Potemkin
On the torture inflicted by Ibrahim Khan of Shusha upon the Armenian Meliks of Karabakh and the Gandzasar Patriarch due to their ties with Russia Tiflis, July 8, 1787
On the 1st of this month, the son of Melik Bakhtam from Karabakh arrived here from Signakh.
Upon meeting me, he reported that, following accusations by Gavril Garakhanov, the Gandzasar Patriarch and all the Meliks were captured by Ibrahim Khan and placed under guard. The captives, subjected to severe torture, eventually confessed and handed over the letters they had received from Your Excellency, along with all gifts. The Patriarch, overcome with fear, passed away, and his entire estate, including church valuables, was plundered.
The Armenians there now suffer extreme oppression.
Ibrahim Khan, having extorted 15,000 rubles from each Melik, released them. Secretly, they sent envoys to the King, pleading for liberation, declaring that they are ready to turn their weapons against their oppressor as soon as His Majesty arrives in Karabakh.
[…]
On the 2nd, His Highness received a letter from the Akhaltsikhe Pasha, the translation of which, along with the King’s response, I have the honor to present here.
Suleiman Pasha strives to convey sincerity in his letters, yet the statements of the Pasha of Kars—relayed through a returned Georgian from Turkey—confirm that Suleiman Pasha had jointly sent envoys with Ibrahim Khan to Uma Khan, exposing his duplicity.
It is difficult to determine the reasons behind Suleiman Pasha’s maneuvers. However, it seems clear that the Ottoman Porte has instructed him to outwardly maintain a façade of neighborly friendship to deter demands from the Russian imperial court. Nevertheless, actual hostilities remain unchanged, as they are carried out under Ibrahim Khan’s name, with Suleiman Pasha secretly assisting him.
(Source: Armenian-Russian Relations in the 18th Century, Vol. IV, Yerevan, 1990, Document No. 235.)
Letter from Armenian Archbishop Joseph Argutinsky to Prince G. Potemkin
Requesting assistance for Meliks Mejlum, Abov, and other Karabakh Meliks forced to flee to Georgia New Nakhichevan, January 7, 1788
Your Grace, Most Merciful Sovereign and Protector, Grigory Alexandrovich,
Recognizing Your Grace’s kindness toward me and the tireless generosity you have extended to our nation, I humbly take the liberty to report that the Karabakh Meliks of our people—namely Mejlum and Abov, along with others of their kind—who have always held a fervent and devoted desire to serve the Russian state, and whose affairs are well known to Your Grace, have now been forced to flee to Georgia due to the hatred and persecution of the Khan of Shusha. They have sought refuge there, abandoning their wives and all their possessions.
I earnestly implore Your Grace to extend your benevolence and protection not only to them, as wanderers, but also to all the Armenian people residing there. Should Your Grace choose to grant this mercy and dispatch three Russian regiments to Georgia for its defense, then without doubt, both Georgia and the city of Ganja may remain forever secure from their oppressors and persecutors.
(Source: Armenian-Russian Relations in the 18th Century, Vol. IV, Yerevan, 1990, Document No. 241.)
Letter from Karabakh Meliks Mejlum and Abov to Prince G. Potemkin
On the persecution and devastation of Karabakh Armenians due to their allegiance to Russia and the urgent need for action March 10, 1788
Last month, we wrote to Your Grace regarding all our sufferings and unbearable hardships. Yet, having received no response, we write again, compelled by the overwhelming distress of our situation.
We followed Your Grace’s guidance with unwavering faith, believing in the truth that the Most Merciful Empress, through you, our protector, had gathered us under her benevolent shield, rescuing us from the hands of plunderers, as believers in the one true Savior, Jesus Christ. But now, abandoned, we have fallen under the feet of our enemies, separated from our homeland, our possessions, and torn from our families and children.
Thus, we implore Your Grace with tears, recalling past mercy, and beg for relief from our unbearable suffering. Have pity on us and save the countless Christians who endure these hardships in vain, drinking from the cup of wrath poured by our oppressors. All of this is solely due to our Christian faith and allegiance to Your Grace.
If, in this brief time, mercy is not shown and aid does not reach us, not only will our people perish, but all of Georgia will fall into ultimate ruin. Our enemies, now united, prepare to overthrow Christianity itself.
(Source: Armenian-Russian Relations in the 18th Century, Vol. IV, Yerevan, 1990, Document No. 243a.)
Continuation of the Letter from Karabakh Meliks Mejlum and Abov to Prince G. Potemkin
Urging immediate assistance due to the looming threat of subjugation and extermination of Karabakh’s Christian population at the behest of the Ottoman Sultan March 10, 1788
We have also written to the Most Merciful Great Sovereign, knowing that Your Grace will be aware of it. Therefore, we humbly plead and implore that, by your power and our steadfast hope, you hasten to aid us—the suffering—and do not delay until tomorrow, for we do not know what the coming day will bring.
At this turbulent time, all Muslim nations, under the instigation of the Ottoman Sultan, have united in their desire to seize this land. They know that the Great Sovereign will send troops and assistance to our country, and they seek to block the paths to prevent their arrival.
With this intent, Omar of Dagestan has marched against Fat Ali Khan of Derbent. They fought, but since both sides were Lezgins, they reconciled, and Omar, with a large army, arrived in Shusha to join Ibrahim Khan. Now, from all directions, Muslim forces prepare to attack Georgia in the spring, alongside Turkish commanders.
If they succeed in conquering this land, the fate of Christian peoples—here and elsewhere—will be near extermination. Therefore, for the glory of the Cross of Christ, liberate our Christians from the hands of the infidels, for we place our hope in none but the Great Sovereign’s merciful power, awaiting Your Grace’s benevolence.
(Source: Armenian-Russian Relations in the 18th Century, Vol. IV, Yerevan, 1990, Document No. 243.)
Historical Report by Archbishop Joseph Argutinsky
Commissioned by Prince G. Potemkin on the Struggle of Armenian Meliks Against Shusha Khan Panah and His Son Ibrahim January 1790
On the Karabakh Meliks and Their Territories, and the Circumstances of Ibrahim Khan’s Seizure of Shusha
- Melik Mejlum, son of Adam – Territory: Charapert
- Melik Abov, son of Joseph – Territory: Kulastan
- Melik Shahnazaryan, son of Huseyn – Territory: Varanda
- Melik Alaverd, son of Mirzahan – Territory: Khachen
- Melik Bakhtam, grandson of Egan – Territory: Duzakh
These territories—Charapert, Kulastan, Varanda, Khachen, and Duzakh—collectively form the Karabakh domain.
Melik Adam and Melik Joseph, belonging to historically allied houses, provoked the envy of Melik Shahnazaryan. In response, Shahnazaryan formed a close alliance with Panah Khan, the ruler of the nomadic Javanshir tribe, surrendering his fortress of Shusha to him. Together, they waged a twenty-year war against Melik Adam and Melik Joseph. Despite their valiant defense, the two Meliks were eventually exhausted and forced to seek refuge under the protection of King Teimuraz, father of Erekle II.
After fleeing to Georgia, they resided there briefly before moving to the Khan of Ganja, who mediated their reconciliation with Panah Khan. The agreement allowed them to reclaim their lands. However, Panah Khan’s successor, Ibrahim Khan, violated this arrangement, imprisoning Melik Isaiah in the fortress, confiscating his property, and ultimately executing him. In his place, Ibrahim Khan installed Melik Bakhtam.
Russian Intervention and the Meliks’ Pledge of Allegiance
Later, General Pavel Sergeyevich Potemkin, commander of the Caucasian Line, wrote to the Meliks about the Russian monarch’s favor and his mission to liberate them from Tatar rule. He instructed me to convey the same message. The Meliks, reassured by the imperial goodwill, expressed their unwavering loyalty to Russia.
Following the deaths of Melik Adam and Melik Joseph, their successors—Mejlum and Abov—remained steadfast in their fathers’ allegiance to Russia. They invited Melik Bakhtam of Duzakh and gathered at Gandzasar Monastery in the presence of Catholicos John, clergy, secular leaders, and commoners. There, they solemnly reaffirmed their loyalty to Russia, swearing upon the Cross and the Gospel, and signed a declaration of allegiance, which they sent to General Potemkin and to me, their spiritual intermediary.
Ibrahim Khan’s Retaliation and the Meliks’ Plea for Assistance
Upon noticing the frequent correspondence between General Potemkin and the Meliks, as well as their growing unity, Ibrahim Khan seized the opportunity to suppress them. Seeing that no Russian aid had arrived, he imprisoned Melik Abov and confiscated his property.
Although General Potemkin pressured Ibrahim Khan to release Melik Abov, the Khan harbored resentment. When relations between King Erekle II and Ibrahim Khan deteriorated, Ibrahim invited Mejlum, Abov, and Bakhtam to his court, only to imprison them.
Upon King Erekle’s arrival in Ganja with Russian forces, Mejlum and Abov escaped captivity and pleaded for military assistance to reclaim their lands. Erekle granted them 4,000 troops under Prince Orbeliani’s command. However, just as Colonel Burnashev received orders to withdraw his battalions to Russia, Erekle canceled the promised aid.
With Erekle and Burnashev returning to Tiflis, the Meliks, now abandoned, followed suit. Ibrahim Khan ceded Bakhtam’s territory to the Persians, poisoned Catholicos John, devastated Mejlum’s lands, and installed a new ruler in Abov’s domain, forcing 500 Armenian families to flee to Georgia.
The Meliks’ Appeal to Russia
The Meliks, enduring persecution and exile, remained loyal to the Russian Empire and pleaded for imperial intervention in two ways:
- Military Assistance – Even a small Russian force would enable them to overthrow Persian rule and Ibrahim Khan’s dominion. They requested that Prince Erekle of Georgia be appointed as their ruler, believing him capable of governing them justly.
- Resettlement in Russian Territory – If military aid was not possible, they requested relocation to the Caspian coast near Derbent, where they could establish permanent settlements under Russian protection. They sought full autonomy over their subjects, ensuring their descendants could inherit their lands.
Final Plea for Urgent Action
The Meliks wrote to me, expressing gratitude and requesting confirmation of rumors that General Tekeli had received orders to summon them to Russia. They urged me to clarify the situation and facilitate their relocation. If resettlement in Russia was granted, they requested safe passage through Georgia to avoid annihilation by Ibrahim Khan’s forces.
They also sought official recognition of their hereditary rights, ensuring their governance over their subjects and permanent ownership of their new lands.
Meliks Mejlum and Abov assured me that the remaining three Meliks in Karabakh shared their commitment to Russia.
(Source: Armenian-Russian Relations in the 18th Century, Vol. IV, Yerevan, 1990, Document No. 251.)
Yuri Barsegov “Nagorno-Karabakh in International Law and Global Politics” 105
Artatsolum
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