The Armenian Assembly’s Request for Military Assistance June 19, 1727

Statement by Yuzbashi Bagy and Kevga Celebi to the Foreign Affairs Collegium Regarding the Armenian Assembly’s Request for Military Assistance

June 19, 1727

On June 19, 1727, Yuzbashi Bagy and Kevga Celebi, sent by the Armenian Assembly, arrived at the Foreign Affairs Collegium and verbally conveyed the following decree:

They stated that they had been dispatched to Her Imperial Majesty by the patriarchs and other clergy of the Armenian Assembly, as well as yuzbashis, meliks, and other secular figures gathered there. Their request was for Her Imperial Majesty’s gracious protection and defense against the barbarians, with whom they had been engaged in battle for nearly six years and from whom they were suffering great oppression.

A copy of the decree sent from Her Imperial Majesty to the Armenian Assembly through Kevga Celebi indicated that Her Imperial Majesty had decreed that the Georgian King Vakhtang and General Prince Vasily Vladimirovich Dolgorukov would be sent with their troops to the Persian provinces conquered along the Caspian Sea. These forces were supposed to assist the Armenians. However, despite waiting a long time for the promised troops, no reinforcements arrived.

Following receipt of the copy of the decree, the Armenians engaged in battle with the Ganja Serasker, Sari Mustafa Pasha, along with Aji Daud-Bek’s brother, Ahmad Khan, who came against them with an army of 40,000 men. The battle lasted for eight days, and through Her Imperial Majesty’s providence, the Armenians successfully killed a significant number of enemy forces, including the Janissary Agha and Kyrkh Chashma Agha. The enemy forces were pushed back to Ganja.

A month after this battle, the Armenian Assembly sent Yuzbashi Bagy, Kevga Celebi, and 26 others to request assistance from General Prince Vasily Vladimirovich Dolgorukov in Salyan. Upon arrival, they were instructed to travel to Gilan, where they once again petitioned General Dolgorukov for aid. However, he informed them that he had no imperial decree permitting him to provide military assistance.

Therefore, the Armenian Assembly humbly beseeches Her Imperial Majesty to command that military forces be sent to aid them so they may withstand their enemies. Under Her Imperial Majesty’s supreme protection, they hope to live in their homes free from oppression and fear of the barbarians. As Her Imperial Majesty’s loyal subjects, they cannot seek assistance from anyone else except God and Her Imperial Majesty. Should Her Imperial Majesty refuse to support them, they may all perish in a short time. They and their descendants vow to remain eternally loyal subjects and pledge to fight against their enemies to the last drop of their blood for Her Imperial Majesty and Christendom.

Note: This statement was transcribed from the words translated by the Armenian Luka Ilyin. (Originally in Armenian).

Source: *Archive of Foreign Policy of Russia (AVPR), Fund 100, 1727, File 1, folios 5–7. Published in: G. A. Ezov, Relations of Peter the Great with the Armenian People, St. Petersburg, 1898, Document No. 293; Armenian-Russian Relations in the First Third of the 18th Century, Volume II, Part II, Yerevan, 1967, Document No. 356.

Extract from the Supreme Privy Council’s Decree to General Prince V. Dolgorukov on Supporting the Armenian People with Prospects for Joint Actions Against the Turks

August 15, 1727

In accordance with our previous decrees, you must assemble as many of our forces as possible and advance deeper into Persia, thus demonstrating intent for action and strengthening the Armenians’ confidence in us.

Due to the distance and frequent changes in circumstances, it is impossible to provide precise directives for every situation. Thus, further decisions are entrusted to your judgment—acting as necessary for our benefit and interests.

At the present time, it is essential to strengthen the Armenians by all available means, ensuring that they stand firmly against the Turks and do not surrender to them. Make representations and assurances to them, as outlined in your dispatch of May 11. Show them the weakness of the Turkish forces and emphasize that soon an opportunity will arise for us to provide substantial assistance and act jointly with them. Our efforts have long been directed toward this goal, and thus they should remain steadfast in their course.

Since the Turks have been unable to defeat the Armenians up to this point, they will be even less capable now, given their current state of weakness. We will send back the Armenians dispatched by you with assurances, instructing them to report to you first, so you may then send them to their assembly.

Source: Archive of Foreign Policy of Russia (AVPR), Fund 100, 1727, File 1, folios 10v–11. Published in: G. A. Ezov, Relations of Peter the Great with the Armenian People, St. Petersburg, Document No. 294; Armenian-Russian Relations in the First Third of the 18th Century, Volume II, Part II, Yerevan, 1967, Document No. 357.

Letter from Avan Yuzbashi, “Commander of the Armenian Forces,” Calling on the Georgian King Vakhtang to Appeal to Russia for Military Assistance Against the Turks

Early February 1729

<…> I have sent my brother, Tarkhan Yuzbashi, along with Melkon Aldimov, Krikor Isaev, and Nerses Agabekov to His Imperial Majesty, so that His Majesty may mercifully decree military assistance for us.

Within the Armenian saghnak, there are many thousands of souls gathered, who, by God’s grace and the fortune of His Imperial Majesty, have remained united, without a single person falling into Turkish captivity. However, we now face great danger from the significant gathering of Turkish forces.

For this reason, I have sent my brother, Tarkhan Yuzbashi, as a representative of the entire Armenian saghnak to petition His Imperial Majesty for protection and assistance against the Turkish army, so that we are not abandoned into Turkish hands. We place our trust solely in His Imperial Majesty, and therefore, we implore Your Highness to convey our plea to the Emperor and endeavor to secure our request so that we, Christian souls, do not perish or fall into Turkish bondage.

Seal of Avan Yuzbashi, Commander of the Armenian Forces, is affixed to the original letter. Translated from the original letter by the Armenian Makary Safaryev.

Source: Archive of Foreign Policy of Russia (AVPR), Fund 100, 1729–1731, File 1, Inventory 100/1, folios 4–5. Published in: Armenian-Russian Relations in the First Third of the 18th Century, Vol. II, Part II, Yerevan, 1967, Document No. 373.

Firman of the Ottoman Sultan to the Governor of the Sheki Province, Ordering an Offensive Against Armenian Fortified Areas

June–July 1729

This firman, issued in the name of Sheki Beylerbey Ali Pasha, is dated to the final days of Zil-Hijjah, 1142 AH (July 1729), Constantinople.

Upon receiving our supreme firman, you are to be informed that you have been assigned to the unit under the command of my Ganja vizier, Ibrahim Pasha. Once you receive my decree concerning this appointment, you must join him and advance to punish and subdue the insurgents of Sighnak, thus demonstrating loyalty to our empire and faith.

In this mission, you shall bring along your clergy, sons, noblemen, and other warriors capable of engaging in the sacred war. At the head of the Dagestani detachment, numbering no fewer than 1,500 men, you shall march toward the Ganja valley to join the mentioned vizier.

Before the trees begin to sprout their leaves, you must proceed against the insurgents and take all necessary actions to pacify and punish them.

<…>

Source: Acts of the Caucasian Archaeographic Commission (AKAK), Tiflis, 1866–1888, Vol. II, p. 1092.

Statement by Yuzbashi Tarkhan to the Russian Foreign Affairs Collegium Regarding the Armenians’ Struggle Against Turkish Invaders and Their Desire to Remain in Their Homeland—Karabakh—Under Russian Protection

October 21, 1729

On October 21, 1729, Yuzbashi Tarkhan arrived in Moscow from Persia, representing the Armenian saghnak (or assembly) and presented his commission. Through the Armenian merchant Avet Makarov, he conveyed the following:

1. The Armenian assembly consists of four military divisions, each headed by six commanders: Avan, Tarkhan, Abram, Uan, Bagy, and Avak. They collectively oversee around 30,000 armed men. Aside from military personnel, there are no permanent settlers or merchants among them, except for those who travel for trade. The Armenians live in fortified mountainous regions, which they believe to be secure from conquest due to their strategic positioning and strength.
2. They manufacture their own weapons, including muskets, sabers, cutlasses, daggers, and pistols.
3. In Sighnak, they cultivate wheat, Saracen millet, silk, cotton paper, grapes, and other fruits. They also have reserves of iron, copper, lead, and silver ores. Their blacksmiths produce iron and weapons, but they lack sufficient sulfur to expand their gunpowder production. They request His Imperial Majesty to send specialists to help refine their metals and enhance their production capabilities.
4. They own high-quality Persian and Turkish horses, as well as their own breeds, which they can use for daily needs or trade. They also have ample livestock—cows, sheep, poultry—and abundant forests, with the exception of pine.
5. Despite persistent Turkish offensives, the Armenians have fiercely resisted and have never paid taxes or tributes to the Turks. Only remote Armenian villages that cannot be defended by the saghnak forces pay a small fee for self-preservation.
6. Yuzbashi Avan and Yuzbashi Tarkhan have come on behalf of the Armenian assembly to petition His Imperial Majesty for aid. They seek military support in the form of troops, artillery, and ammunition, so they may effectively resist the Turks and live securely under Russian protection.

The Armenians have valiantly fought against the Turks for years, expecting support from His Imperial Majesty, which has yet to arrive. If granted assistance, they pledge to provide Russian forces with food, meat, butter, vodka, and horses. They estimate that once Russian troops arrive, their Armenian forces could increase to 50,000 warriors.

Thus, Yuzbashi Tarkhan has traveled to the Russian court, while Yuzbashi Avan remains in Russian-occupied Persian provinces, awaiting Tarkhan’s return with His Imperial Majesty’s response.

7. The Armenians do not wish to settle in any conquered Persian territories under Russian control. Instead, they desire to return to their saghnaks, accompanied by Russian auxiliary forces.

Source: Archive of Foreign Policy of Russia (AVPR), Fund 100, 1729–1731, File 1, folios 56–59v. Original document. Published in: G. A. Ezov, Relations of Peter the Great with the Armenian People, St. Petersburg, 1898, Document No. 299.

Record of Kevga Celebi’s Report to the Russian Foreign Affairs Collegium Regarding the Armenian Assembly’s Reaction in Shusha to the Delivered Imperial Letters

December 7, 1729

On December 17, 1725, Kevga Celebi, sent by the Armenian Assembly, reported to the Russian Foreign Affairs Collegium. He had been dispatched the previous year with letters addressed to the Armenian Assembly.

He stated that he had traveled from Derbent, accompanied by the priest Anton, joining a merchant caravan to Shemakha. The journey took six days. Upon arrival, they remained in Shemakha for a month due to the threat posed by Karabork groups.

For precautionary reasons, they warned Semen Popov, who had also been sent with letters, to wait. However, he did not heed the warning and traveled ahead, only to be killed by Muslim forces along the way. His letters were sent to Daut-Bek instead.

Once informed that the road had become safe, Kevga Celebi proceeded to the first Armenian assembly, located near the village of Shusha, four days’ journey from Shemakha, where Yuzbashi Avan was stationed. They stopped there and presented themselves to Avan, who immediately sent word to the patriarchs and all yuzbashis about their arrival. Within two days, leaders from nearby regions gathered, including Karapet.

In their presence, the imperial decrees were unsealed and read aloud. Upon hearing the contents, the Armenian leaders rejoiced, expressing gratitude for the benevolence of His Imperial Majesty, who had not abandoned them. They celebrated with church bells ringing for an entire week.

Following the celebrations, the patriarchs and yuzbashis reconvened in the village of Shusha and sent Kevga Celebi onward. He then traveled back to Shemakha, Derbent, and the fortress of the Holy Cross. The village of Shusha is surrounded by stone mountains.

The Armenian forces, comprising cavalry and infantry, were substantial in number, though an exact count of their military strength was unknown.

During his mission, a notable military action included capturing a pasha and defeating Turkish forces. During his stay in Shemakha, he received reports that further battles had taken place in the province of Karabakh, though details on Turkish losses remained unclear. However, a messenger was said to have arrived at Daut-Bek’s headquarters with information on these events.

<…>

Source: Archive of Foreign Policy of Russia (AVPR), Fund 100, 1725–1726, File 5, folios 23–25. Copy. Published in: G. A. Ezov, Relations of Peter the Great with the Armenian People, St. Petersburg, 1898, Document No. 281.

Firman of the Ottoman Sultan to the Governor of the Sheki Province Ordering an Offensive Against Armenian Fortified Settlements in Sighnak to Destroy Them

March–April 1731

Issued from the Erzurum Valley during Shawwal 1144 AH.

The accursed infidel inhabitants of Sighnak, neighboring the Ganja region, have for several years refused to pay their rightful tax and have persisted in defiance and rebellion.

Thus, in accordance with the judgments of Sharia law, it has become necessary to punish and exterminate them for their actions.

To execute this order, I have appointed my vizier Ibrahim Pasha, governor of Erivan, who shall command Mahmud Pasha, governor of Bayazet, and the emir of Kurdistan, both of whom shall advance from the direction of Gokcha.

From the north, Surkhay Khan and the rulers of Shirvan, alongside their militias, will join the campaign, accompanied by the lord of Zakur, Utsmi Magomed, leading Lezgian warriors. Additionally, the governor of Ganja, Ganjali Pasha, shall mobilize the entire Ganja army.

Since you are one of the emirs of our court, you must also prepare for action. Upon receiving the movement orders from Ganjali Pasha, you must march alongside him, surrounding the rebels from all directions and inflicting exemplary punishment through unified and decisive actions.

Should the aforementioned infidels express willingness to pay their due tribute to the Ganja treasury and pledge unwavering loyalty both in word and deed—offering reliable hostages as proof—then their request may be considered.

Otherwise, proceed against them, raze their homes and fortifications, and execute complete devastation in their lands.

This supreme firman is issued to you through the esteemed Osman.

At present, peace exists between our empire and Persia, meaning we do not anticipate hostilities from that direction. However, should internal dissidents and instigators of disorder arise, you must collaborate with your neighbors to implement measures for their eradication.

Source: Acts of the Caucasian Archaeographic Commission (AKAK), Vol. II, p. 1093.

Yuri Barsegov “Nagorno-Karabakh in International Law and Global Politics”

Artatsolum

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