Melik-Barkhudar
by Naira Barkhudaryan
House of Melik-Barkhudar, in Tegh, near Goris in Armenia, photo provided by Naira Barkhudaryan
Melik-Barkhudar was an Armenian noble family. The ancient of Melik-Barkhudars, Melik-Barkhudar A. immigrated to Zangezur (Syunik Province) from Lori. He ruled Tegh , Khndzoresk and neighboring villages. Once in 1748 the khan of Nakhchivan sent three of his people to Tegh village to collect the tribute (Vine and etc.). Melik-Barkhudar refused to obey the order and killed them. Drunk with rage, khan sent the army, demanding to bring Barkhudar to him alive. The battle began. It continued six days. The soldiers of Barkhudar, who counted 600, fell in battle and Melik-Barkhudar with his brother Ghara Bey remained alone. After a long fight they weakened and sat on two stones (they are called the stones of Melik-Barkhudar up to now). Later, Melik Barkhudar gave hiss sword to khan’s soldiers, asking to kill them only by that sword. So, the brothers were beheaded.[1][2] The head of Ghara Bey is buried in the church of St. Hripsime, and the head of Melik-Barkhudar is buried in Etchmiadzin Cathedral.[3] Their bodies are buried in the desert of Khndzoresk. In 1783 in the village Tegh, the descendants of Melik-Barkhudar constructed his palace, which is a complex of various rooms.[4]
References
[1] Lalayean E. (1898).”Zangezuri gavar”. Sisyan, Armenia. pp 11-40.
[2] Grigoryan G. M., Harkhverdyan S. G. (2001). “The history of Syuniq”. Yerevan. Armenia.pp. 174-198.
[3] Lisizyan S. (1969). “The Armenians of Zangezur”. Yerevan, Armenia.pp. 36-50.
[4] Hakhverdyan S. G. (2005). “Brief history of Goris”. Zangak-97. Yerevan, Armenia. pp. 142-187.
