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{{short description|Armenian revolutionary active during the early 20th century}} | |||
{{Infobox Officeholder | |||
{{about|person|village|Nzhdeh, Armenia}} | |||
| name = Garegin Ter-Harutiunian<br/> | |||
{{pp-extended|small=yes}} | |||
| nationality = ]n | |||
{{more citations needed|date=November 2020}} | |||
| image = Njdeh1.jpg|200px | |||
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2015}} | |||
| birth_date = 1 January 1886 | |||
{{Infobox military person | |||
| birth_place = ], ], ] | |||
| name = Garegin Ter-Harutyunyan | |||
| death_date = 21 December 1955 | |||
| other_name = Garegin Nzhdeh | |||
| death_place = ], ], ] | |||
| native_name = Գարեգին Առաքել Եղիշեի Տեր-Հարությունյան | |||
| signature = | |||
| |
| image = Garegin Ter-Harutyunyan 1934.jpg | ||
| |
| image_size = 200px | ||
| |
| alt = Portrait of Garegin Nzhdeh | ||
| birth_date = {{Birth date|df=yes|1886|1|1}} | |||
| term_start = August 1919 | |||
| death_date = {{Death date and age|df=yes|1955|12|21|1886|1|1}} | |||
| term_end = July 1921 | |||
| birth_place = ], ], ] | |||
| successor = | |||
| death_place = ], ], ] | |||
| vicepresident = | |||
| placeofburial = ] | |||
|rank = | |||
| placeofburial_coordinates = <!-- {{Coord|LAT|LONG|display=inline,title}} --> | |||
|awards = "Cross of Bravery" of Bulgarian Army | |||
| birth_name = Garegin Ter-Harutyunyan | |||
|religion = | |||
| allegiance = {{flagicon image|Armenian Revolutionary Federation logo 1915.png}} ] <small>(1907–1937)</small><br/>{{flag|Kingdom of Bulgaria}} <small>(1912–1913)</small><br />{{flag|Russian Empire}} <small>(1914–1917)</small><br />{{flagicon|Armenia}} ] <small>(1918–1920)</small> <br />{{flagicon|Armenia}} ] <small>(1921)</small> | |||
|signature =Njdeh_sign.PNG | |||
| rank = ] | |||
| servicenumber = <!--Do not use data from primary sources such as service records.--> | |||
| battles = {{tree list}} | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
** ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
** ] | |||
{{tree list/end}} | |||
| awards = Order of Courage of the Kingdom of Bulgaria<br>] 3rd class of the Russian Empire<br>] 4th class of the Russian Empire<br>] 3rd class of the Russian Empire<br>] 2nd class of the Russian Empire | |||
| spouse = Epimé Sukiassian (m. ?–1955)<br>Gohar Dadayan | |||
| children = Vrezh<br>Lilia Dadayan | |||
| signature = File:Signature of Garegin Nzhdeh.jpg | |||
}} | }} | ||
'''Garegin Ter-Harutyunyan''',{{efn|{{bulleted list|{{langx|hy|Գարեգին Տէր Յարութիւնեան}}|]: {{lang|hy|Գարեգին Տեր-Հարությունյան}}}}}} better known by his '']'' '''Garegin Nzhdeh'''{{efn|Nzhdeh in Armenian means "exile" or "wanderer". Also transliterated as Karekin Njdeh or Nejdeh.}} ({{langx|hy|Գարեգին Նժդեհ}}, {{IPA-hy|ɡɑɾɛˈɡin nəʒˈdɛh|IPA}}; 1 January 1886 – 21 December 1955), was an ] statesman, military commander and nationalist revolutionary. As a member of the ], he was involved in the national liberation struggle and revolutionary activities during the ] and ] and became one of the key political and military leaders of the ] (1918–1921). He is widely admired as a charismatic national hero by ].<ref>{{Cite thesis |last=Harutyunyan |first=Arus |title=Contesting National Identities in an Ethnically Homogeneous State: The Case of Armenian Democratization |date=2009 |degree=PhD |publisher=Western Michigan University |url=https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/dissertations/667}} p. 61.</ref><ref name=":3">{{cite book |last=Panossian |first=Razmik |url=https://archive.org/details/armeniansfromkin00razm/page/301 |title=The Armenians: From Kings and Priests to Merchants and Commissars |publisher=Columbia University Press |year=2006 |isbn=9780231139267 |location=New York |page= |url-access=registration}}</ref> | |||
In 1921, he was a key figure in the establishment of the ], an anti-] state that became a key factor that led to the inclusion of the province of ] into Soviet Armenia.<ref>{{cite book|last=Chorbajian|first=Levon|title=The Caucasian Knot: The History & Geopolitics of Nagorno-Karabagh|year=1994|publisher=Zed Books|location=London|isbn=9781856492881|page=134|quote=But it is undeniable that if Zangezur has since been an integral part of Soviet Armenia, it was Nzhdeh who made it possible.}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Panossian|first=Razmik|title=The Armenians: From Kings and Priests to Merchants and Commissars|year=2006|publisher=Columbia University Press|location=London|isbn=9780231511339|page=}}</ref> During ], he cooperated with ], hoping to secure Soviet Armenia's existence in case of Germany's victory over the USSR and a potential Turkish invasion of the Caucasus.<ref>{{Cite book |last=De Waal |first=Thomas |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=c2KzBQAAQBAJ |title=Great Catastrophe: Armenians and Turks in the Shadow of Genocide |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=2015 |isbn=978-0-19-090478-4 |pages=112 |oclc=1085942778 |quote=The other general who fought with the Nazis was Dashnak veteran Garegin Njdeh, who had been Dro's comrade-in-arms in the tsarist army.}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Smele|first1=Jonathan D.|title=Historical Dictionary of the Russian Civil Wars, 1916-1926|date=2015|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield|isbn=978-1442252813|page=795|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QwquCgAAQBAJ}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Stepanian |first=Ruzanna |date=2017-11-22 |title=Armenian Ruling Party Rebuffs Russian Accusation It 'Glorifies Nazism' |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/armenan-ruling-party-hhk-rebuffs-russian-accusation-it-glorifies-nazism/28868928.html |access-date=2022-04-25 |website=RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty |language=en |quote=Nzhdeh was one of several exiled Armenian leaders who pledged allegiance to Nazi Germany in 1942 with the stated aim of saving Soviet Armenia from a possible Turkish invasion after what they expected to be a Soviet defeat by the Third Reich.}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2015-12-21 |title=Karekin Njdeh: A Biographical Sketch |url=https://anca.org/karekin-njdeh-a-biographical-sketch/ |access-date=2022-04-25 |website=Armenian National Committee of America |language=en-US |quote=In order to be able to influence Nazi policy, Njdeh aligned himself with Germany and offered his services in exchange for putting an end to the anti-Armenian campaign in the German press... Njdeh wanted to make sure that regardless of the turn of events, he could either guarantee the security of Armenia in case of a possible Turkish invasion of the Caucasus or liberate Western Armenia if Germany attacked Turkey.}}</ref> Following an abortive attempt to cooperate with the Soviet Union against Turkey, Nzhdeh was arrested in Bulgaria in 1944 and sentenced to 25 years of imprisonment in the Soviet Union.<ref name=":0" /> He died in ] in 1955.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> | |||
'''Garegin Njdeh''' or '''Garegin Ter-Harutiunian''', Garegin Nzhdeh ({{lang-hy|Գարեգին Նժդեհ}}) (1 January 1886, ] – 21 December 1955, ], ]) was an ]n statesman, ], political thinker, and as a member of the ] party was involved in revolutionary activities in ], ] and ], and a member of ]’s ] of the Wehrmacht, the armed forces of ]<ref>, James Russell</ref> . | |||
==Early years and education== | |||
==Biography== | |||
Garegin Ter-Harutyunyan was born on 1 January 1886 in the village of ] (modern-day ], ]) in the region of ]. He was the youngest of four children born to a local village priest. He lost his father, Ter Yeghishe, early in his childhood. Nzhdeh attended a Russian school in the city of ] and continued his education at a ] in ] (Tbilisi).<ref>{{Cite book |last=Համբարձումեան |first=Ռաֆայէլ |url=https://www.google.am/books/edition/%D4%B3%D5%A1%D6%80%D5%A5%D5%A3%D5%AB%D5%B6_%D5%86%D5%AA%D5%A4%D5%A5%D5%B0/iEc1AAAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=Nzhdeh+was+born+on+1+January+1886&dq=Nzhdeh+was+born+on+1+January+1886&printsec=frontcover |title=Գարեգին Նժդեհ: Համառօտ կենսագրական, ասոյթներ եւ կենսատարեգրութիւն |date=2003 |publisher=Nakhijewan hratarakchʻutʻiwn |isbn=978-99930-860-5-5 |pages=181 |language=hy}}</ref> | |||
===Education=== | |||
Garegin Njdeh was born on 1 January 1886 in the village of ], ]. He was the youngest of four children born to a local village priest. He lost his father Priest Yeghishe in his childhood Njdeh got his early education at a ] school in ]. He continued his higher education at the ] Russian Gymnasium school. At the age of 17 he joind the Armnenian liberal movement but shortly after, he moved to St. Petersburg to continue his education in the local university. After two years of studying at the Faculty of Low, he left the St. Petersburg University and returned to the ] in order to participate in the Armenian national movements against the Russian and the Ottoman Empires. | |||
Shortly after, he moved to ] to continue his education at ]. After two years of studying at the university's faculty of law, he left Saint Petersburg and returned to the ] in order to participate in the Armenian national movement against the Ottoman Empire. In 1906, Nzhdeh moved to ], where he completed his education at the Dmitry Nikolov Military College of Sofia and in 1907 received a commission in the Bulgarian army with the rank of lieutenant. | |||
In 1906, Njdeh moved to ], where he completed his education at the military college in 1907. | |||
==Balkan wars== | |||
], 1912–1913]] | |||
In the same year he returned to Armenia. In 1908 he joined the ] and participated in teh Iranian revolution along with ], Andranik Pasha, ], and ]. | |||
In 1907 Nzhdeh returned to the South Caucasus. In 1908 he joined the ] and participated in the ] along with ] and ].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Habeshian |first=Vahe |url=https://www.google.am/books/edition/Voices_from_the_Past/aI1eAwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=Nzhdeh+participated+in+the+Iranian+Constitutional+Revolution&pg=RA1-PT77&printsec=frontcover |title=Voices from the Past: Excerpts from Writings of Armenian Revolutionaries |date=2014-04-16 |publisher=Hairenik Association |isbn=978-1-940573-09-0 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-06-16 |title=Garegin Nzhdeh |url=https://hairenik.com/vfp/garegin-nzhdeh/ |access-date=2025-01-02 |language=en-US}}</ref> | |||
] | |||
In 1909, upon his return to the Caucasus, Nzhdeh was arrested by the Russian authorities and spent three years in prison. In 1912, together with General ], he joined a battalion of ethnic Armenians within the ] of the Bulgarian army to fight against the ] in the ], partaking in the campaigns to seize ] and ].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Allen |first=Tom |url=https://www.google.am/books/edition/Armenia/QHDnEAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=Nzhdeh+moved+to+Bulgaria&pg=PA328&printsec=frontcover |title=Armenia: and Nagorno Karabagh |last2=Holding |first2=Deirdre |date=2023-09-08 |publisher=Bradt Travel Guides |isbn=978-1-78477-943-6 |pages=328 |language=en}}</ref> He was wounded during the ]. Bulgarian military authorities awarded Nzhdeh with the ] for the bravery and extraordinary performance of the Armenian fighters.<ref>Македоно-одринското опълчение 1912–1913. Личен състав по документи на Дирекция "Централен военен архив", София 2006, с. 521 (Macedonian-Adrianopolitan Volunteer Corps. Staff according to documents from Directorate Central Military Archives, Sofia 2006, p. 521)</ref> | |||
==World War I== | |||
In 1909, upon his return to the Caucasus, Njdeh was arrested by the Russian authorities and spent 3 years in prison. | |||
Prior to ], after an amnesty granted by the Russian authorities in 1914, Nzhdeh returned to the Caucasus to participate in the formation of ] within the Russian army to fight against the Ottoman Empire.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Habeshian |first=Vahe |url=https://books.google.am/books?id=aI1eAwAAQBAJ&pg=RA1-PT78&dq=Nzhdeh+returned+to+the+Caucasus%C2%A0&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&source=gb_mobile_search&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwibjYnhgdeKAxUxB9sEHc2IHK8Q6AF6BAgKEAM |title=Voices from the Past: Excerpts from Writings of Armenian Revolutionaries |date=2014-04-16 |publisher=Hairenik Association |isbn=978-1-940573-09-0 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2018-01-26 |title=Garegin Nzhdeh’s Statue to be Erected in Bulgaria |url=https://horizonweekly.ca/am/garegin-nzhdehs-statue-to-be-erected-in-bulgaria/#:~:text=Nzhdeh%20returned%20to%20the%20Caucasus,special%20Armenian-Yezidi%20military%20unit. |access-date=2025-01-02 |website= |language=English}}</ref> In the early stages of the war, in 1915, he was appointed a deputy commander to ], who led the 2nd Volunteer Battalion. Later on, in 1916, he commanded a special Armenian-] military unit. After the ] and the withdrawal of the Russian army, Nzhdeh's unit fought in the skirmishes at Alaja (near ], spring 1918), allowing secure passage for retreating Armenian forces into ] (modern-day Gyumri). | |||
In 1912, together with General ], he formed an ] within ] of the Bulgarian Army to fight against the ] in the ], for the liberation of ] and ]. During the ] he was wounded. For the brave and extraordinary performance of the Armenian fighters, Bulgarian military authorities honoured Njdeh with the "Cross of Bravery".<ref>Македоно-одринското опълчение 1912-1913. Личен състав по документи на Дирекция "Централен военен архив", София 2006, с. 521 (Macedonian-Adrianopolitan Volunteer Corps. Staff according to documents from Directorate Central Military Archives, Sofia 2006, p. 521)</ref> | |||
==Battle of Karakilisa and the First Republic of Armenia== | |||
===World War I=== | |||
] | |||
Prior to the ], after an amnesty granted by the Russian authorities in 1914, Njdeh returned to the Caucasus to prepare for the formation of the ] within the Russian army to fight against the Turks. At the first stage of the war in 1915, he was appointed as an assistant-commander to ] of the 2nd Armenian unit. Later on in 1916, he commanded the special Armenian-Yezdi military unit. By 1917, with his small unit, he saved the Armenians of Koghp from being massacred by the invading Turkish forces.{{Citation needed|reason=no sources here|date=August 2010}} After the withdrawal of the Russian army, Njdeh led the battles of Alajay (near ], spring 1918), thus allowing a secure passage for the retreated Armenian volunteer forces into ]. | |||
After clashing with Ottoman forces in Alexandropol, the Armenian fighters led by Nzhdeh dug in and built fortifications in ] (moder-day Vanadzor). Nzhdeh played a key role in organizing the troops for the ] in May 1918. He managed to mobilize a population of demoralized locals and refugees for the coming fight through his inspiring speech in the ] church courtyard, where he called on the Armenians to wage a sacred battle: "Straight to the frontline, our salvation is there". Nzhdeh was wounded in the ensuing clash and, after a violent battle of four days, both sides had serious casualties. The Armenians ran out of ammunition and had to withdraw. Although the Ottoman army managed to invade Karakilisa itself, they had no more resources to continue deeper into Armenian territory.<ref>Hovannisian, Richard G. (1997) ''The Armenian People from Ancient to Modern Times.'' New York. ], 299</ref> | |||
In April 1920, Nzhdeh led his troops from ] to ] southern district of Dizak, soon after the ]. Dro's forces also marched to Karabakh from Yerevan. Their intervention, along with pressure on the Azerbaijani authorities from the Entente powers, brought an end to the massacres of the Armenian population of Mountainous Karabakh.<ref name="Mutafian">{{cite book |last=Mutafian |first=Claude |date=1994|chapter=Karabagh in the Twentieth Century |title=The Caucasian Knot: the History and Geopolitics of Nagorno-Karabakh |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OUlnYdOHJ3wC&q=shushi |location=London |publisher=Zed Books |page=127 |isbn=1856492885|editor1-last=Chorbajian|editor1-first=Levon |editor1-link=Levon Chorbajian |editor2-last=Donabedian |editor2-first=Patrick |editor3-last=Mutafian |editor3-first=Claude|quote=Dro advanced from Yerevan to the Varanda District (which included Shushi) while Nzhdeh, then the military commander in Zangezur, led his troops from Ghapan (Kapan) toward the southern district of Dizak. Their military intervention along with pressure by the Entente powers from Tiflis brought the massacres to an end.}}</ref> However, following the ] and the arrival of the Red Army, the Armenian forces were severely outnumbered. On 24 May 1920, Dro, Nzhdeh, Colonel Dmitri Mirimanyan and ARF representative Arsen Mikayelyan agreed to withdraw from Karabakh and hand over power in the region to local Armenian Bolsheviks led by ].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hakobyan |first=Tatul |date=2021-06-16 |title=Garegin Nzhdehi, Andraniki ev Droyi Artsʻakhyan nahanjě. 1918-1920 tʻtʻ |trans-title=Garegin Nzhdeh's, Andranik's and Dro's retreat from Artsakh, 1918–1920 |url=http://www.aniarc.am/2021/06/16/nzhdeh-andranik-dro-karabakh-hadrut-1920/ |access-date=2022-04-25 |website=ANI Armenian Research Center |language=hy}}</ref> | |||
===Battle of Karakilisa=== | |||
] | |||
After clashing with Turkish forces in Alexandrapol, the Armenian fighters led by Njdeh fortified in ]. | |||
He played a key role in organizing the ] in May 1918. He managed to unite the despaired and the hopeless population for the fight through his inspiring speech in ] church yard, where he called the gathered Armenians for a sacred battle "Straight front, our salvation is there". Njdeh was wounded in the battle and after a violent battle of 4 days, both sides had serious losses. Although the Ottoman army managed to invade Karakilisa, but they had no more forces to continue deeper into Armenian territories.<ref>Hohanissian, Richard G. (1997) ''The Armenian People from Ancient to Modern Times.'' New York. ], 299</ref> | |||
While stationed in southern Armenia, Nzhdeh expelled the Turkic-speaking inhabitants of several settlements.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book |last=Lalayan |first=Mushegh |url=http://www.hhk.am/files/library_pdfs/7.pdf |title=Գարեգին Նժդեհ (կենսագրական ակնարկ) |publisher=] |pages= |language=hy |trans-title=Garegin Nzhdeh (biographical sketch)}}</ref> He was again wounded in fighting near ].<ref name=":2" /> In August 1920, Nzhdeh refused orders from Minister of Defense ] to leave Kapan and come to Yerevan in accordance with an agreement reached with Soviet Russia to allow the Red Army to enter ] (]), Karabakh and Nakhichevan.<ref name=":2" /> In January 1920, Nzhdeh's partisans, aggravated by the ], "wiped out" 9 villages and 40 ] southeast of Goris – the continued attacks on Azerbaijani Muslim settlements led ] to reposition its forces towards Zangezur again after their unsuccessful campaign in November 1919.{{sfn|Hovannisian|1982|p=239}} | |||
After the decleration of the ], Njdeh was appointed as governor of ], and later on in August 1919 commander of the southern corps of the Armenian army. | |||
==Republic of Mountainous Armenia== | |||
], ] (1921)]] | ], ] (1921)]] | ||
The Soviet 11th |
The Soviet ]'s invasion of the First Republic of Armenia started on 29 November 1920. Following the ] of Armenia on 2 December 1920, the Soviets pledged to take steps to rebuild the army, to protect the Armenians and not to persecute non-communists, although the final condition of this pledge was reneged when the Dashnaks were forced out of the country. | ||
The Soviet |
The Soviet government proposed that the regions of Mountainous Karabakh and Zangezur should be included in the newly established ]. This step was strongly rejected by Nzhdeh. A convinced anti-], he consolidated his forces in Syunik and led a movement against the Bolsheviks, declaring Syunik a self-governing region in December 1920. In January 1921 ] sent a telegram to Nzhdeh, advising that Nzhdeh allow for the sovietization of Syunik, through which they could gain the support of the Bolshevik government in solving the problems of Armenian-populated lands. Nzhdeh did not depart from Syunik and continued his struggle against the Red Army and Soviet Azerbaijan, struggling to maintain the independence of the region.{{sfn|Hovannisian|1996b}} | ||
On 18 February 1921, the Dashnaks led an anti-Soviet rebellion in Yerevan and seized power. The ARF controlled Yerevan and the surrounding regions for almost 42 days before being defeated by the numerically superior Red Army troops later in April 1921. The leaders of the |
On 18 February 1921, the Dashnaks led an ] in Yerevan and seized power. The ARF controlled Yerevan and the surrounding regions for almost 42 days before being defeated by the numerically superior Red Army troops later in April 1921. The leaders of the rebellion—as well as 8,000 refugees and 4,000 soldiers— then retreated to Syunik. | ||
] | |||
The 2nd All-Zangezur Congress, held in ] on 26 April 1921, declared the independence of the self-governing regions of Daralagiaz (]), Zangezur, and Mountainous Karabakh under the name of the ] (''Lernahayastani Hanrapetutyun''), with Nzhdeh (bearing the title of '']'', meaning "supreme commander") as its prime minister and minister of defense. On June 1, the Republic of Mountainous Armenia was renamed the Republic of Armenia, and ] took the office of prime minister, while Nzhdeh remained as ''sparapet''.<ref name=":2" /> | |||
Between April and July 1921, the Red Army conducted massive military operations in the region, attacking Syunik from north and the east. After months of fierce battles with the Red Army, the Republic of Mountainous Armenia capitulated in July 1921 following Soviet Russia's promises to keep the mountainous region as a part of Soviet Armenia. After the conflict, Nzhdeh, his soldiers, and many prominent Armenian intellectuals, including leaders of the first independent Republic of Armenia, crossed the border into the neighboring Iranian city of ]. | |||
Following the declaration of independence of the ] from ], he was proclaimed ] and ]. | |||
==Organizational activities== | |||
Between April and July 1921, the Red Army conducted massive military operations in the region, attacking Syunik from north and the east. After months of fierce battles with the Red Army, the Republic of Mountainous Armenia capitulated in July 1921 following Soviet Russia's promises to keep the mountainous region as a part of Soviet Armenia. After losing the battle, Garegin Njdeh, his soldiers, and many prominent Armenian intellectuals, including leaders of the first Independent Republic of Armenia, crossed the border into neighboring Persian city of Tabriz. | |||
] in Boston in 1933]] | |||
After leaving Syunik, Nzhdeh spent four months in the city of Tabriz. There his relations with the ARF leadership worsened, and he was expelled from the party in September 1921 at the suggestion of Simon Vratsian.<ref name=":2" /> Soon after, he moved to ], Bulgaria, where he settled and married Epimé, a local Armenian woman. They had one son together, named Vrezh.<ref name="hairenik">{{cite web |last=Demirchyan |first=Noubar |date=25 January 2021 |title=Նժդեհի Վերադարձը Դէպի Պուլկարիա Եւ Ձերբակալութիւնը |trans-title=Nzhdeh's Return to Bulgaria and Arrest |url=https://hairenikweekly.com/2021/01/25/45767 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220425194923/https://hairenikweekly.com/%D5%B6%D5%AA%D5%A4%D5%A5%D5%B0%D5%AB-%D5%BE%D5%A5%D6%80%D5%A1%D5%A4%D5%A1%D6%80%D5%B1%D5%A8-%D5%A4%D5%A7%D5%BA%D5%AB-%D5%BA%D5%B8%D6%82%D5%AC%D5%AF%D5%A1%D6%80%D5%AB%D5%A1-%D5%A5%D6%82-%D5%B1%D5%A5/ |archive-date=2022-04-25 |access-date=26 January 2021 |publisher=] |quote=}}</ref> At the 10th ARF World Congress, Nzhdeh's case was reviewed and he was restored to the party.<ref name=":2" /> | |||
Nzhdeh was involved in organizational activities in ], ] and the United States through his frequent visits to ], ] and ]. In 1926, Nzhdeh again came into dispute with the ARF leadership over the issue of relations with Turkey, with the party organization in Bulgaria being divided between supporters of Nzhdeh and supporters of the ARF Bureau (the party's top executive body).<ref name=":2" /> The ARF Bureau, in particular leading members Ruben Ter Minasian and Simon Vratsian, expressed its desire to establish relations with Turkey, while Nzhdeh and others such as ] believed that the party should maintain a strictly anti-Turkish orientation.<ref name=":2" /> | |||
The movement towards the independence of the Mountainous Armenia was marked with the survival of the Armenian population of Syunik from being massacred by the Tatars of Azerbaijan.<ref></ref> | |||
In 1933, by the decision of ARF, Nzhdeh moved to the United States along with his comrade, Kopernik Tanterjian. He visited several states and provinces in United States and Canada, inspiring the Armenian communities that had established themselves there, and founding an Armenian youth movement called ''Tseghakron'' ({{langx|hy|Ցեղակրոն}}) (see ]) in ], which later renamed itself the ], and functions to this day as the youth wing of the ARF. | |||
===Organizational activities=== | |||
] | |||
After leaving Syunik, Njdeh spent four months in the Persian city of ]. Soon after he moved to ] where in 1922, he got married to an Armenian girl '''Epime''', establishing a new life in Bulgaria. | |||
In the autumn of 1934, Nzhdeh returned to Sofia. He was summoned by the party to Cairo in 1937, where the ARF Bureau unsuccessfully attempted to resolve its differences with Nzhdeh and reconcile him with Ruben Ter Minasian.<ref name=":2" /> After returning to Sofia, Nzhdeh declared his resignation from the ARF; the Bureau likewise declared his expulsion from the party for his "schismatic activities" and confirmed this decision at the 13th ARF World Congress (1938).<ref name=":2" /> In 1937, Nzhdeh went to ], Bulgaria, where he began to publish the Armenian-language newspaper, ''Razmik'', together with fellow former ARF member ].<ref name=":2" /> At the end of the 1930s, along with a group of Armenian intellectuals in Sofia, he founded the Taron Nationalist Movement and published its organ ''Taroni Artsiv'' ("Eagle of Taron") newspaper. Despite his falling out with the ARF, which some scholars attribute to Nzhdeh's "extreme" or "racist views", ARF newspapers would continue to publish his articles.<ref name=":3" /><ref name="Walker">{{cite book |last=Walker |first= Christorpher J.|author-link=Christopher J. Walker|date=1990 |title=Armenia: The Survival of a Nation|location=London |edition=2nd|publisher=Routledge|page=437|isbn=0-415-04684-X}}</ref><ref name="Sahakyan" /> In 1938, the ARF offered to restore Nzhdeh to the party and accommodate his political demands to prevent him from forming a separate organization, which Nzhdeh rejected.<ref name=":2" /> | |||
Njdeh was involved in organizational activities in ], ] and the ] through his frequent visits to ], ] and ]. | |||
During his time in Bulgaria, Nzhdeh maintained close contacts with revolutionary organizations of ] and Bulgarian ] Theodore Trayanov.<ref>Михайлов, Иван. Карекин Нъждех, в. Македонска трибуна, г. 31, бр. 1601, 21 ноември 1957 (Mihaylov, Ivan. Garegin Nzhdeh, Macedonian Tribune, N 1601, 21 November 1957)</ref> | |||
In 1933, by the decision of ARF Dashnaktsutyun, Njdeh moved to USA along with his partisan Copernic Tanterjian. This movement led to the foundation of the ], the youth organization of the ], in ], ]. | |||
==World War II, arrest and trial== | |||
He visited several states in ] and ], encouraging Armenian communities that had established themselves there, and founding an Armenian Youth movement called '''Tseghakron''' ({{lang-hy|Ցեղակրոն}}), which means “religion of a race”. Njdeh claimed his Nazi and Fascist inspiration: “Today Germany and Italy are strong because as a nation they live and breathe in terms of race<ref>''Hairenik Weekly'', April 10, 1936</ref>.” | |||
] | |||
During ], Nzhdeh suggested supporting the ] if the latter would make a decision to attack Turkey.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Habeshian |first=Vahe |url=https://books.google.am/books?id=aI1eAwAAQBAJ&pg=RA1-PT79&dq=Nzhdeh+suggested+supporting+the+Axis+powers&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&source=gb_mobile_search&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwigr5XN_taKAxVoQvEDHUr6CmQQ6AF6BAgLEAM#v=onepage&q=Nzhdeh%20suggested%20supporting%20the%20Axis%20powers&f=false |title=Voices from the Past: Excerpts from Writings of Armenian Revolutionaries |date=2014-04-16 |publisher=Hairenik Association |isbn=978-1-940573-09-0 |language=en}}</ref> ], a joint German-Bulgarian project about attacking Turkey in the event that Ankara joined the allies, was discussed in Berlin.<ref>Kurt Mehner, Germany. Oberkommando der Wehrmacht, Bundesarchiv (Germany). Militärarchiv, Arbeitskreis für Wehrforschung. Die Geheimen Tagesberichte der Deutschen Wehrmachtführung im Zweiten Weltkrieg, 1939–1945: 1. Dezember 1943–29. Februar 1944. p. 51 (in German).</ref> In 1942, Nzhdeh was invited by ] to serve on the Armenian National Council (Armenischen Nationalen Gremiums) in Berlin, a collaborationist body created by Nazi Germany to coerce Armenian POWs into joining to avoid imprisonment in concentration camps.<ref name="Sahakyan">{{cite thesis |last=Sahakyan |first=Vahe |date=2015 |title=Between Host-Countries and Homeland: Institutions, Politics and Identities in the Post-Genocide Armenian Diaspora (1920s to 1980s) |type=Ph.D. dissertation |chapter= |publisher=University of Michigan |hdl=2027.42/113641 |docket= |oclc= |url=http://hdl.handle.net/2027.42/113641 |access-date=26 January 2021}}</ref> That year the Nazis created the '']'', composed mostly of captured Soviet Armenian prisoners of war, and placed it under the command of veteran ARF leader ].<ref name="Sahakyan"/> Together with Artashes Abeghyan and ], Nzhdeh co-edited and wrote for ''Azat Hayastan'' ("Free Armenia"), the pro-German and anti-Soviet organ of the Armenian National Council, which published only two issues in 1943.<ref name="Berberian">{{cite book |last=Berberian |first=Houri |title=The First Republic of Armenia (1918-1920) on Its Centenary: Politics, Gender, and Diplomacy |date=2020 |publisher=The Press at California State University, Fresno |isbn=9780912201672 |editor-last=Der Matossian |editor-first=Bedross |location=Fresno |pages=53–88 |chapter=From Nationalist-Socialist to National Socialist? The Shifting Politics of Abraham Giulkhandanian |author-link= |chapter-url=https://www.academia.edu/43955951}}</ref> | |||
The Armenian battalions were sent to the ] on the Eastern Front in 1943. During the war, Nzhdeh went with Dro to Nazi-occupied Crimea and then to the ], but returned to Bulgaria in 1944.<ref name="Walker"/> On 9 September 1944 Nzhdeh wrote a letter to Stalin offering his support were the Soviet leadership to attack Turkey.{{Citation needed|date=November 2022}} A Soviet plan to invade Turkey in order to punish Ankara for alleged collaboration with the Nazis and also for seizing several eastern provinces was intensely discussed by the Soviet leadership in 1945–1947.<ref>Krikorian, Robert O. (2011), "Kars-Ardahan and Soviet Armenian Irredentism, 1945–1946," in ''Armenian Kars and Ani'', ed. ]. Costa Mesa, CA: Mazda Publishers, pp. 393–409.</ref> The Soviet military commanders told Nzhdeh that the idea of collaboration was interesting but in order to be able to discuss it in more details, Nzhdeh would have needed to travel to Moscow.{{Citation needed|date=November 2022}} He was transferred to Bucharest and later to Moscow, where he was arrested and held in the ]. According to another account, Nzhdeh went into hiding after the ], before turning himself in to the authorities some months later, after which he was transferred to Moscow.<ref name="hairenik"/> | |||
In 1937, he was back in ], Bulgaria, where he began to publish "Razmig" Armenian paper. At the end of 1930s, along with a group of Armenian intellectuals in Sofia, he founded '''Taron Nationalist Movement''' and published its organ "Taroni Artsiv" paper. | |||
After his arrest, Nzhdeh's wife and son were sent to exile from Sofia to ]. | |||
During his life in Bulgaria, Garegin Njdeh maintained close contacts with revolutionary organizations of Macedonian Bulgarians and Bulgarian ] poet Theodore Trayanov.<ref>Михайлов, Иван. Карекин Нъждех, в. Македонска трибуна, г. 31, бр. 1601, 21 ноември 1957 (Mihaylov, Ivan. Garegin Njdeh, Macedonian Tribune, N 1601, 21.11.1957)</ref> | |||
In November 1946, Nzhdeh was sent to Yerevan, Armenia, awaiting trial. At the end of his trial, on 24 April 1948, Nzhdeh was charged with "counterrevolutionary" activities from the 1920–1921 period and sentenced to 25 years of imprisonment (to begin in 1944).<ref>{{cite web|title=Russia Unhappy With Armenian Statue |url=http://www.azatutyun.am/a/27791223.html |date=28 May 2016 |publisher=Azatutyun |access-date=28 May 2016}}</ref> | |||
===Arrest and trial=== | |||
] | |||
Because of being active in ]’s ] of the Wehrmacht, the armed forces of ]<ref>, James Russell</ref> in September 1944, Garegin Njdeh was arrested by the soldiers of ]'s "]" special brigade in ]. He has been transferred to Bucharest and then to ] where he was kept in Liubianka prison. | |||
==Life in prison and death== | |||
After his arrest, Njdeh's wife and son were sent to exile from Sofia to ]. | |||
] | |||
{{see also|Soviet territorial claims to Turkey during World War II}} | |||
{{Quote box| quote =I spit on your execution. You must understand who you are dealing with. | |||
I'm Garegin Nzhdeh, a staunch enemy of the Bolshevism. I dedicated my own life to the struggle for freedom and independence of my people. I defended Zangezur from the Turks and the Turkish Bolsheviks. Is it possible that I will be afraid of your execution? Many have tried to threaten me, but they could not do anything.|align=left |width=31%|source=— Garegin Nzhdeh to KGB Colonel Martiros Aghekian<ref>{{cite web|script-title=ru:Гарегин Нжде и КГБ|url=http://www.bvahan.com/armenianway/AW/Njdeh_KGB/Part02.html|publisher=Bvahan.com|access-date=31 October 2014|language=ru|archive-date=9 October 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071009164747/http://www.bvahan.com/ArmenianWay/aw/Njdeh_KGB/Part02.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>}}{{Better source needed|date=October 2020}} | |||
In 1947 Nzhdeh proposed an initiative to the Soviet government that would call for the foundation of a pan-Armenian military and political organization in the Armenian diaspora for the seizure of once-Armenian populated provinces of the former Ottoman Empire from Turkish control and its unification with ]. Despite the reputed interest of the Communist leadership to this initiative, the proposal was eventually refused. | |||
Between 1948 and 1952 Nzhdeh was kept in ], then until the summer of 1953 in a secret prison in Yerevan. According to his prison fellow Hovhannes Devedjian, Nzhdeh's transfer to Yerevan prison was related to an attempt to mediate between the Dashnaks and the Soviet leaders to create a collaborative atmosphere between the two sides. After long negotiations with the state security service of Soviet Armenia, Nzhdeh and Devedjian prepared a letter in Yerevan prison (1953) addressed to the ARF leader ], calling on him to cooperate with the Soviets regarding the issue of the Armenian struggle against ]. However, the communist leaders in Moscow refused to send the letter. | |||
In November 1946, Njdeh was sent to Yerevan for trial. At the end of his trial on 24 April 1948, Njdeh was sentenced to 25 years of imprisonment (period beginning from 1944). | |||
] | |||
While he was in prison, Nzhdeh was taken several times from ] to ], where, accompanied by a guard of honor, they conducted tours of ], showing him that Soviet power brought benefits to Armenia.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Подсмотрено |url=https://smartik.ru/erevan/post/156192441 |access-date=2022-06-19 |website=smartik.ru |language=ru}}</ref> | |||
After receiving a telegram from the Soviet authorities announcing his death, Nzhdeh's brother Levon left Yerevan for Vladimir to take care of his burial service. He received Nzhdeh's watch and clothing but was not allowed to take his personal writings, which would only be published in Yerevan several years later. The authorities also did not allow the transfer of his body to Armenia. Levon Ter-Harutyunyan conducted Nzhdeh's burial in Vladimir and wrote on his tombstone, in Russian, "Ter-Harutyunyan Garegin Eghishevich (1886–1955)". | |||
===Life in prison and death=== | |||
In 1947, Njdeh proposed an initiative to the Soviet government, calling for the foundation of Pan-Armenian military-political organization in the Diaspora for the liberation of ] from Turkish occupation and its unification with ]. Despite of the great interest shown by the communist leaders but the proposal was eventually refused. | |||
===Funerals and memorials=== | |||
Between 1948-1952 Njdeh was kept in ] prison, then until the summer of 1953 in a secret prison in Yerevan. According to his prison fellow ''Hovhannes Devedjian'', Njdeh's trasnfer to Yerevan prison was related with an attempt proposed by him to mediate between the Dashnaks and the Soviet leaders to create a collaborative atmosphere between the two sides. After long negotiations with the state security service of Soviet Armenia, Njdeh and Devejian prepared a letter in Yerevan prison (1953) addressed to the ARF leader ], calling him for co-operation with the Soviets regarding the issue of Armenian struggle against ]. But the communist leaders in Moscow refused to send the letter and it was only remained as a document. | |||
]]] | |||
], opened in 2003<ref>{{cite news|title=Karekin Njhdeh Monument in Kapan|url=http://asbarez.com/48969/karekin-njhdeh-monument-in-kapan/|access-date=4 August 2013|newspaper=]|date=25 August 2000}}</ref>]] | |||
], erected in May 2016]] | |||
On 31 August 1983, Nzhdeh's remains were secretly transferred from Vladimir to rest in Soviet Armenia. This was done through the efforts of Pavel Ananyan, the husband of Nzhdeh's granddaughter, with the help of linguistics professor Varag Arakelyan and others, including Gurgen Armaghanyan, Garegin Mkhitaryan, Artsakh Buniatyan, and Zhora Barseghyan. On 7 October 1983, the right hand of Nzhdeh's body was placed on the slopes of Mount ] near Kozni fountain, as Nzhdeh had once expressed the wish "when you find me killed, bury my body at the top of Khustup to let me clearly view Kapan, Gndevaz, Goghtan and Geghvadzor...". | |||
According to the participants of the funeral, the rest of Nzhdeh's body was kept in the cellar of Varag Arakelyan's house in the village of ] until 9 May 1987, when it was secretly transferred to ] and buried in the churchyard of the 14th-century ] near ].<ref></ref> Nzhdeh's gravestone was erected through the efforts of ] and ] on 17 June 1989, a day that later turned into an annual pilgrimage day to the monastery's graveyard. | |||
After receiving the telegram of his death from the jail officers, Njdeh's brother Levon left Yerevan for Vladimir to take care of his burial service. He received Njdeh's watch and dress but was not allowed to take his personal writings. The authorities did not allow as well to transfer his body to Armenia. Levon Ter-Harutiunian conducted Njdeh's burial in Vladimir and wrote on his tombstone in ] "Ter-Harutiunian Garegin Eghishevich (1886-1955)". | |||
Decades after his death, on 30 March 1992, Nzhdeh was rehabilitated by Prosecutor General's Office of the newly independent ].<ref name=":2" /> | |||
==Njdeh's legacy== | |||
]]] | |||
In 1983, Njdeh's ashes were secretly brought to Soviet Armenia from Vladimir by linguist Varag Arakelyan. In the same year, only a small part of his ashes was placed on the slopes of Mountain Khustup, and -as the participants of the funeral informed- the rest of the ashes was kept in the cellar of Varag Arakelyan's country-house until 1987, after which it was buried in the yard of Spitakavor Surb Astvatsatsin Church of the 14th century near ]. | |||
On 26 April 2005 during the celebration of the 84th anniversary of the Republic of Mountainous Armenia, parts of Nzhdeh's body were taken from the Spitakavor Church to Khustup. Thus, Nzhdeh was reburied for the third time, finally to rest on the slopes of Mount Khustup near Nzhdeh's memorial in ].<ref>A1plus.am Retrieved 27 April 2005</ref> | |||
Decades after his death, on 30 March 1992, Njdeh was rehabilitated by the supreme court of the ]. | |||
In March 2010, Nzhdeh was selected as the "National pride and the most outstanding figure"<ref> {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714072306/http://www.menqhayenq.com/en/Aboutproject |date=14 July 2011 }}</ref> of Armenians throughout the history by the voters of "We are Armenians" TV project launched by "Hay TV" and broadcast as well by the ] (H1).<ref> {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714072712/http://www.menqhayenq.com/en/rating/ |date=14 July 2011 }}</ref> | |||
Njdeh had mentioned in his will that he would like to be buried on the slopes of Mountain Khustup. On 26 April 2005 during the celebration of the 84th anniversary of the Republic of Mountainous Armenia, parts of Njdeh's ashes were taken from Spitakavor church to the slopes of Khustup. Thus, Garegin Njdeh was reburied for the third time, finally to rest on the slopes of Mountain Khustup near Njdeh Monument in ].<ref>http://www.a1plus.am/en/social/2005/04/28/14478 A1plus.am - NJDEH WAS RE-BURIED. Retrieved 27 April 2005</ref> | |||
In ], a ] and ] are named after Nzhdeh. ], a village in the ] of Armenia, is named after Nzhdeh. | |||
In March 2010, Njdeh was selected as the "National pride and the most outstanding figure"<ref>http://www.menqhayenq.com/en/Aboutproject Menqhayenq.com - We Are Armenians:About Project</ref> of the Armenians throughout the history, by the voters of "We are Armenians" TV project launched by "Hay TV" and broadcast as well by the ] (H1).<ref>http://www.menqhayenq.com/en/rating/ Menqhayenq.com - We Are Armenians:Rating</ref> | |||
An avenue, a large square and a nearby metro station in ] are named after Garegin Njdeh. | |||
==Controversy== | |||
Njdeh with no doubt is one of the few figures in Armenian history, whose inspiring character includes both a soldier and a thinker, an orator and a politician, and he is definitely one of the most outstanding people in the whole history of Armenia. | |||
After Israeli ambassador ] denounced a small rally "glorifying" Nzhdeh and called him a "Nazi collaborator" in January 2024,<ref>{{cite web |title=Deeply disturbed by the march in #Yerevan, on 1.1.2024, echoing 'Sieg Heil' chants. Glorifying Garegin Nzhdeh, a Nazi collaborator is unacceptable. 🇦🇲Authorities must take a firm stand against any form of neo-nazism & antisemitism. @MFAofArmenia |url=https://twitter.com/ambassadorlion/status/1742592342182289750 |publisher=@ambassadorlion |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240104180504/https://twitter.com/ambassadorlion/status/1742592342182289750 |archive-date=4 January 2024 |date=January 3, 2024}}</ref> Armenia's Foreign Ministry criticized him for "exploiting" actions based on national and religious intolerance.<ref>{{cite news |title=Հայաստանի ԱԳՆ-ն արձագանքել է Գարեգին Նժդեհի հասցեին Իսրայելի դեսպանի խոսքերին |url=https://news.am/arm/news/808886.html |work=news.am |date=23 February 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240923172811/https://news.am/arm/news/808886.html |archive-date=23 September 2024 |language=hy}}</ref> | |||
==Awards== | |||
==Quotations from Njdeh== | |||
{| class="wikitable" | |||
] | |||
|- | |||
Quotations from Garegin Njdeh (translated by Ara Baliozian):<ref>{{cite web | title = Azad Hye Middle East Armenian Portal: Complete biography of Garegin Njdeh published in Yerevan| url = http://www.azad-hye.net/news/viewnews.asp?newsId=734gjk67}}</ref> | |||
! Country | |||
! colspan="3" |Award | |||
! Year | |||
|- | |||
| {{flagicon|Kingdom of Bulgaria}} ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| style="text-align:center" | For Bravery | |||
| style="text-align:center" | 16 November 1912 | |||
|- | |||
| rowspan="4" | {{flagicon|Russian Empire}} ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| style="text-align:center" | 3rd class | |||
| style="text-align:center" |1915, 1918 | |||
|- | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| style="text-align:center" | 4th class | |||
| style="text-align:center" | 1915 | |||
|- | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| style="text-align:center" | 3rd class | |||
| style="text-align:center" | 1916 | |||
|- | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| style="text-align:center" | 2nd class | |||
| style="text-align:center" | 1916 | |||
|} | |||
== Written works == | |||
1. The morally depraved can also voice noble principles. | |||
=== Publications === | |||
In 1923, while in ], ], Nzhdeh published a series of articles in the local Armenian newspaper ''Nor Arshaluys'' ("New Sunrise") entitled "My word - Why did I take up arms against the Soviet troops?" Nzhdeh wrote in detail about the history of the wars in Syunik (Zangezour) in an extensive series of articles for the Boston newspaper '']'' ("Homeland") in 1923–1925.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=Ճանաչենք Մերոնց․ Գարեգին Նժդեհ |url=https://www.iammedia.am/en/post/Garegin-Njdeh |access-date=2022-06-19 |website=www.iammedia.am}}</ref> | |||
In 1924-1925 he contributed to the ARF newspaper ''Hayastan'' ("Armenia") published in ], ]. In 1924, separate chapters from his work ''Ejer im oragren'' ("Pages from my diary''"'') were published here, which was published in a separate booklet in ], ], the same year.<ref name=":4" /> | |||
2. Life is constant and endless renewal. Only the morally irresponsible refuse to understand this. | |||
In 1926, Nzhdeh wrote for the newspaper ''Araks'' based in ], ], where he published a series of articles titled "Open Letters to the Armenian Intellectuals".<ref name=":4" /> | |||
3. Without renewal, a nation dies every hour, every minute. Our political parties either don't understand this or they have no desire to understand it. | |||
=== List of literature === | |||
4. A nation that fails to do what it can and must do has no right to expect foreign assistance. | |||
* Dashnaktsutyun Pantheon, ], 1917 (]: Դաշնակցութեան պանթէոնը, Romanized: Dashnaktsutean panteon) | |||
5. Nations that are unwilling to defend their own interests condemn themselves to death. | |||
* Military Charter, ], 1918 (]: Զորաշարժային կանոնադրութիւն, Romanized: Zorasharjayin Kanonadrutyun) | |||
* Khustupian Calls, ], 1921 (]: Խուստուփեան կանչեր, Romanized: Khustupean Kancher) | |||
* Pages from my diary, ], Husaber, 1924 (]: Էջեր իմ օրագրէն, Romanized: ''Ejer im oragren'') | |||
* The struggle of sons against fathers, ], 1927 (]: Որդիների պայքարը հայրերի դէմ, Romanized: Vordineri payqary hayreri dem) | |||
* An open letter to the Armenian intelligentsia, ], 1929 (]: Բաց նամակ հայ մտաւորականութեան, Romanized: Bats namak hay mtavorakanutean) | |||
* The Movement of the Spirit of the Nation, ], 1932 (]: Ցեղի ոգու շարժ, Romanized: Tseghi vogu sharj) | |||
* American Armenians. The nation and its scum, ], 1935 (]: Ամերիկահայութիւնը. ցեղը և իր տականքը, Romanized: ''Amerikahayutiwne: tseghe ew ir takanke'') | |||
* My Answer։ The tragedy of Armenia under Turkish-Bolshevik documents, ], Tpagr. P. Palegchian, 1937 (]: Իմ պատասխանը, Romanized: Im pataskhany) | |||
* Autobiography, ], 1944 (]: Ինքնակենսագրություն, ]: ''Inknakensenagrutyun'') | |||
* Covenant of Tseghakronism, ]: Hay Dat, 1989 (]: Ցեղակրոնության ուխտ, Romanized: Tseghakronutyan ukht) | |||
* Prison Records, ], 1993 (]: Բանտային գրառումներ, Romanized: Bantayin grarumner) | |||
* Military regulations. Khustupyan calls, ], 1993, 56 pages (]: Զորաշարժային կանոնադրություն։ Խուստուփյան կանչեր, Romanized: Zorasharjayin kanonadrutyun: Khustupyan kancher) | |||
* Pages in my diary. An open letter to the Armenian intelligentsia. The struggle of sons against fathers, ], 1998, 160 pages (]: Էջեր իմ օրագրեն։ Բաց նամակ հայ մտավորականության։ Որդիների պայքարը հայրերի դեմ, Romanized: ''Ejer im oragren: Bats namak hay mtavorakanutean: Vordineri payqary hayreri dem'') | |||
* Covenant of Tseghakronism, ], 1998, 16 pages (]: Ցեղակրոնության ուխտ, Romanized: ''Tseghkronutyan ukht'') | |||
* The Eternal Weapon of the Tribe, ], 1998, 87 pages (]: Ցեղի հավիտենական զենքը, Romanized: Tsheghi havitenakan zenq) | |||
* Free Syunik, ], 1999, 176 pages (]: Ազատ Սիւնիք, Romanized: Azat Syunik) | |||
* The struggle for the survival of Mountainous Armenia, ], 1999, 44 pages (]: Լեռնահայաստանի գոյամարտը, Romanized: Lernahayastani goyamart) | |||
* Awakening of the Nation, ], 1999, 36 pages (]: Ցեղի արթնություն, Romanized: Tseghi artnutyun) | |||
* American-Armenians: the nation and its scum, ], 2000 (]: Ամերիկահայությունը՝ ցեղը և իր տականքը, Romanized: ''Amerikahayutiwne: tseghe ew ir takanke'') | |||
* The movement of the spirit of the nation, ], 2000 (]: Ցեղի ոգու շարժը, Romanized: Tseghi vogu sharj) | |||
* The movement of the spirit of the nation. Armenian-Americans: the tribe and its scum, ], 2000, 118 pages (]: Ցեղի ոգու շարժը։ Ամերիկահայությունը՝ ցեղը և իր տականքը, Romanized: ''Amerikahayutiwne: tseghe ew ir takanke'') | |||
* Tseghakronism as a power of victory. Tribal awakening. What is Tseghakronism, ], 2001, 48 pages (]: Ցեղակրօնութիւնն իբր յաղթանակի զօրոյթ։ Ցեղային արթնութիւն։ Ինչ է ցեղակրօնութիւնը, Romanized: Tseghakronutyunn ibr haghtanaki xoruyt: Tseghayin artnutyun: Inch e tseghakronutyun) | |||
* Selected, ], 2001, 405 pages (]: Հատընտիր, Romanized: Hatyntir) | |||
* Pages from my diary. An open letter to the Armenian intelligentsia, ], 2002, 52 pages (]: Էջեր իմ օրագրեն։ Բաց նամակ հայ մտավորականության, Romanized: ''Ejer im oragren: Bats namak hay mtavorakanutean'') | |||
* Works, volume 1, ], ] Publishing House, 2002, 532 pages (]: Երկեր, Romanized: Yerker) | |||
* Works, volume 2, ], ] Publishing House, 2002, 504 pages (]: Երկեր, Romanized: Yerker) | |||
* Collection of letters (1920-1921), ], 2002, 48 pages (]: Նամականի, Romanized: Namakani) | |||
* Newly discovered relics, ], 2002, 20 pages (]: Նորահայտ մասունքներ, Romanized: Norahayt masunqner) | |||
* Big idea (newly discovered relics), ], 2003, 80 pages (]: Մեծ գաղափար (նորահայտ մասունքներ), Romanized: Mets gaghapar (norahayt masunqner)) | |||
* The struggle of sons against fathers, ], 2005, 127 pages (]: Որդիների պայքարը հայրերի դէմ, Romanized: ''Vordineri payqary hayreri dem'') | |||
* Selected /second supplemented edition/, ], 2006, 706 pages (]: Հատընտիր /երկրորդ լրացված հրատարակություն/ Romanized: Hatyntir) | |||
* Open Letter to Michael Arlen, ], 2008 (]: Բաց նամակ Մայքլ Արլենին, Romanized: Bats namak Mayql Arlenin) | |||
* To the Armenian Warrior (The Art of Winning), ], 2010, 64 pages (]: Հայ ռազմիկին (Հաղթելու արվեստը), Romanized: Hay razmikin (Haghtelu arverst)) | |||
* Worldview, ], 2011, 28 pages (]: Աշխարհայեցողություն, Romanized: Ashkharhayetsoghutyun) | |||
* Newly discovered letters, ], 2011 (]: Նորահայտ նամակներ, Romanized: Norahayt namakner) | |||
* Literary works, ], 2012, 216 pages (]: Գրական երկեր, Romanized: Grakan erker) | |||
* Prison life. Letters. Posts, ], 2016, 187 pages (]: Բանտային կյանք։ Նամակներ։ Գրառումներ, Romanized: Bantayin kyanq: Namakner: Grarumner) | |||
* Remember the war. Khustupyan calls, ], 2017, 148 pages (]: Հիշի՛ր պատերազմը։ Խուստուփյան կանչեր, Romanized: Hishir paterazmy: Khustupean Kancher) | |||
* ''Selected Works of Garegin Nzhdeh'', translated by Eduard Danielyan. ]: "Nakhijevan" Institute of Canada 2011 | |||
==Secondary literature and popular culture== | |||
6. When dealing with foreign powers and issues, our press adopts a permissive, forgiving, and subservient tone. With our own internal problems, however, it becomes arrogant, vindictive, vicious. | |||
*Avo. ''Nzhdeh''. Beirut, 1968. | |||
*''Bantarkeali me hushere: tarapanki tariner G. Nzhdehi het'', ed. Armen Sevan. Buenos Aires, 1970. | |||
*Hambardzumyan, Rafael. ''Nzhdeh: hamarot kensagrakan ev kensataregrutyun''. Yerevan, 2006. | |||
*Kevorkian, Vartan. ''Lernahayastani herosamarte, 1919-1921''. Bucharest: Tp. Jahakir, 1923. | |||
*Lalayan, Mushegh. ''Tseghakron ev Taronakan sharzhumnere: patmutyun ev gaghaparakhosutyun''. Yerevan: Hayastani Hanrapetakan kusaktsutyun, 2011. | |||
*''Garegin Nzhdeh'', published on the occasion of his 110th anniversary, Yerevan 1996. | |||
*''Garegin Nzhdeh: Analecta'', contains Nzhdeh's ideologies, thoughts, letters, speeches and other writings, Yerevan 2006. | |||
; | |||
7. Life is endless renewal. Where there is no renewal there will be spiritual paralysis and a slow death. | |||
;Films | |||
*''The Path of the Eternal'', by Arthur Babayan and Armen Tevanian. | |||
*''Garegin Nzhdeh'', a documentary film within the ''Why Is the Past Still Making Noise?'' series, produced in 2011 by the ]. | |||
*''{{interlanguage link|Garegin Nzhdeh (2013 film)|lt=Garegin Nzhdeh|hy|Գարեգին Նժդեհ (ֆիլմ)}}'', film premiered on 28 January 2013 in ]'s ], produced by HK Productions. | |||
==Notes== | |||
8. It is the height of ignorance for a political party to think that it can deny the value of morality in its own conduct and maintain moral integrity within its ranks. | |||
{{notelist}} | |||
==References== | |||
9. To struggle in defense of what is right is not a calamity but a blessing. | |||
{{reflist}} | |||
==Bibliography== | |||
10. Undermining the morality of a nation amounts to undermining its strength. | |||
{{Refbegin}} | |||
*{{Cite The Republic of Armenia Volume 2}} | |||
11. Why did I fight against the Soviet Army? Because they invaded my country alongside with the Turks. | |||
*{{Cite The Republic of Armenia Volume 4}} | |||
{{Refend}} | |||
12. To live and strive for only what deserves to die for; and to die for only what deserved to live for. | |||
==Works== | |||
*"The Pantheon of Dashnaktsutyun", ] 1917 | |||
*"Calls of Khustup", ] 1921 | |||
*"My Speech - Why I Fought against the Soviet Army", ] 1923 | |||
*"Some Pages from my Diary", ] 1924 | |||
*"Open Letters to the Armenian Intelligentsia", ] 1926 and ] 1929 | |||
*"The Struggle of Sons against Fathers", ] 1927 | |||
*"The Motive of the Soul of the Nation", Sofia 1932 | |||
*"The American Armenians - The Tribe and its Gutter", Sofia 1935 | |||
*"My Answer", Sofia 1937 | |||
*"Autobiography", Sofia 1944 | |||
*"Thoughts - Notes from Jail", ] 1993 | |||
==Documentaries about G. Njdeh== | |||
Books: | |||
*"The Battle of Lernahayastan", by Vartan Kevorkian, ] 1923 | |||
*"Njdeh", by Avo, Beirut 1968 | |||
*"The Memories of a Prisoner", by Armen Sevan (Hovhannes Devedjian), ] 1970 | |||
*"Garegin Njdeh", published in the memory of his 110th anniversary, Yerevan 1996 | |||
*"Garegin Njdeh: Analecta", contains Njdeh's ideologies, thoughts, letters, speeches and other writings, Yerevan 2006 | |||
*"Njdeh: The Complete Biography", by Rafael Hambardzumian, Yerevan 2007 | |||
Movies: | |||
*"The Path of the Eternal" by Arthur Babyan and Armen Tevanian | |||
== References == | |||
{{reflist}} | |||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
* | * in website nzhde.com | ||
* in website kkkino.ru | |||
{{wikiquote|hy:Գարեգին Նժդեհ|Garegin Njdeh (Armenian Wikiquote)}} | |||
{{Armenian Resistance}} | {{Armenian Resistance}} | ||
{{Armenian nationalism}} | |||
{{Authority control}} | |||
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Latest revision as of 07:37, 6 January 2025
Armenian revolutionary active during the early 20th century This article is about person. For village, see Nzhdeh, Armenia.
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Garegin Ter-Harutyunyan | |
---|---|
Native name | Գարեգին Առաքել Եղիշեի Տեր-Հարությունյան |
Birth name | Garegin Ter-Harutyunyan |
Other name(s) | Garegin Nzhdeh |
Born | (1886-01-01)1 January 1886 Kznut, Erivan Governorate, Russian Empire |
Died | 21 December 1955(1955-12-21) (aged 69) Vladimir Central Prison, Vladimir, Soviet Union |
Buried | Spitakavor Monastery |
Allegiance | ARF Party (1907–1937) Kingdom of Bulgaria (1912–1913) Russian Empire (1914–1917) Republic of Armenia (1918–1920) Mountainous Armenia (1921) |
Rank | Sparapet |
Battles / wars | |
Awards | Order of Courage of the Kingdom of Bulgaria Order of Saint Vladimir 3rd class of the Russian Empire Order of Saint Anna 4th class of the Russian Empire Order of Saint George 3rd class of the Russian Empire Order of Saint George 2nd class of the Russian Empire |
Spouse(s) | Epimé Sukiassian (m. ?–1955) Gohar Dadayan |
Children | Vrezh Lilia Dadayan |
Signature |
Garegin Ter-Harutyunyan, better known by his nom de guerre Garegin Nzhdeh (Armenian: Գարեգին Նժդեհ, IPA: [ɡɑɾɛˈɡin nəʒˈdɛh]; 1 January 1886 – 21 December 1955), was an Armenian statesman, military commander and nationalist revolutionary. As a member of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation, he was involved in the national liberation struggle and revolutionary activities during the First Balkan War and World War I and became one of the key political and military leaders of the First Republic of Armenia (1918–1921). He is widely admired as a charismatic national hero by Armenians.
In 1921, he was a key figure in the establishment of the Republic of Mountainous Armenia, an anti-Bolshevik state that became a key factor that led to the inclusion of the province of Syunik into Soviet Armenia. During World War II, he cooperated with Nazi Germany, hoping to secure Soviet Armenia's existence in case of Germany's victory over the USSR and a potential Turkish invasion of the Caucasus. Following an abortive attempt to cooperate with the Soviet Union against Turkey, Nzhdeh was arrested in Bulgaria in 1944 and sentenced to 25 years of imprisonment in the Soviet Union. He died in Vladimir Central Prison in 1955.
Early years and education
Garegin Ter-Harutyunyan was born on 1 January 1886 in the village of Kznut (modern-day Güznüt, Azerbaijan) in the region of Nakhichevan. He was the youngest of four children born to a local village priest. He lost his father, Ter Yeghishe, early in his childhood. Nzhdeh attended a Russian school in the city of Nakhichevan and continued his education at a gymnasium in Tiflis (Tbilisi).
Shortly after, he moved to Saint Petersburg to continue his education at Saint Petersburg Imperial University. After two years of studying at the university's faculty of law, he left Saint Petersburg and returned to the Caucasus in order to participate in the Armenian national movement against the Ottoman Empire. In 1906, Nzhdeh moved to Bulgaria, where he completed his education at the Dmitry Nikolov Military College of Sofia and in 1907 received a commission in the Bulgarian army with the rank of lieutenant.
Balkan wars
In 1907 Nzhdeh returned to the South Caucasus. In 1908 he joined the Armenian Revolutionary Federation and participated in the Iranian Constitutional Revolution along with Yeprem Khan and Murad of Sebastia.
In 1909, upon his return to the Caucasus, Nzhdeh was arrested by the Russian authorities and spent three years in prison. In 1912, together with General Andranik Ozanian, he joined a battalion of ethnic Armenians within the Macedonian-Adrianopolitan Volunteer Corps of the Bulgarian army to fight against the Ottoman Empire in the Balkan wars, partaking in the campaigns to seize Thrace and Macedonia. He was wounded during the Second Balkan War. Bulgarian military authorities awarded Nzhdeh with the Cross of Bravery for the bravery and extraordinary performance of the Armenian fighters.
World War I
Prior to World War I, after an amnesty granted by the Russian authorities in 1914, Nzhdeh returned to the Caucasus to participate in the formation of Armenian volunteer units within the Russian army to fight against the Ottoman Empire. In the early stages of the war, in 1915, he was appointed a deputy commander to Drastamat Kanayan (Dro), who led the 2nd Volunteer Battalion. Later on, in 1916, he commanded a special Armenian-Yezidi military unit. After the Russian Revolution and the withdrawal of the Russian army, Nzhdeh's unit fought in the skirmishes at Alaja (near Ani, spring 1918), allowing secure passage for retreating Armenian forces into Alexandropol (modern-day Gyumri).
Battle of Karakilisa and the First Republic of Armenia
After clashing with Ottoman forces in Alexandropol, the Armenian fighters led by Nzhdeh dug in and built fortifications in Karakilisa (moder-day Vanadzor). Nzhdeh played a key role in organizing the troops for the defense of Karakilisa in May 1918. He managed to mobilize a population of demoralized locals and refugees for the coming fight through his inspiring speech in the Dilijan church courtyard, where he called on the Armenians to wage a sacred battle: "Straight to the frontline, our salvation is there". Nzhdeh was wounded in the ensuing clash and, after a violent battle of four days, both sides had serious casualties. The Armenians ran out of ammunition and had to withdraw. Although the Ottoman army managed to invade Karakilisa itself, they had no more resources to continue deeper into Armenian territory.
In April 1920, Nzhdeh led his troops from Kapan to Mountainous Karabakh's southern district of Dizak, soon after the massacre of the Armenian population of Shushi. Dro's forces also marched to Karabakh from Yerevan. Their intervention, along with pressure on the Azerbaijani authorities from the Entente powers, brought an end to the massacres of the Armenian population of Mountainous Karabakh. However, following the Soviet takeover of Azerbaijan and the arrival of the Red Army, the Armenian forces were severely outnumbered. On 24 May 1920, Dro, Nzhdeh, Colonel Dmitri Mirimanyan and ARF representative Arsen Mikayelyan agreed to withdraw from Karabakh and hand over power in the region to local Armenian Bolsheviks led by Sargis Hambardzumyan.
While stationed in southern Armenia, Nzhdeh expelled the Turkic-speaking inhabitants of several settlements. He was again wounded in fighting near Goris. In August 1920, Nzhdeh refused orders from Minister of Defense Ruben Ter Minasian to leave Kapan and come to Yerevan in accordance with an agreement reached with Soviet Russia to allow the Red Army to enter Zangezur (Syunik), Karabakh and Nakhichevan. In January 1920, Nzhdeh's partisans, aggravated by the massacre of Armenians at Akulis, "wiped out" 9 villages and 40 hamlets southeast of Goris – the continued attacks on Azerbaijani Muslim settlements led Azerbaijan to reposition its forces towards Zangezur again after their unsuccessful campaign in November 1919.
Republic of Mountainous Armenia
The Soviet Eleventh Army's invasion of the First Republic of Armenia started on 29 November 1920. Following the Sovietization of Armenia on 2 December 1920, the Soviets pledged to take steps to rebuild the army, to protect the Armenians and not to persecute non-communists, although the final condition of this pledge was reneged when the Dashnaks were forced out of the country.
The Soviet government proposed that the regions of Mountainous Karabakh and Zangezur should be included in the newly established Soviet Azerbaijan. This step was strongly rejected by Nzhdeh. A convinced anti-Bolshevik, he consolidated his forces in Syunik and led a movement against the Bolsheviks, declaring Syunik a self-governing region in December 1920. In January 1921 Drastamat Kanayan sent a telegram to Nzhdeh, advising that Nzhdeh allow for the sovietization of Syunik, through which they could gain the support of the Bolshevik government in solving the problems of Armenian-populated lands. Nzhdeh did not depart from Syunik and continued his struggle against the Red Army and Soviet Azerbaijan, struggling to maintain the independence of the region.
On 18 February 1921, the Dashnaks led an anti-Soviet rebellion in Yerevan and seized power. The ARF controlled Yerevan and the surrounding regions for almost 42 days before being defeated by the numerically superior Red Army troops later in April 1921. The leaders of the rebellion—as well as 8,000 refugees and 4,000 soldiers— then retreated to Syunik.
The 2nd All-Zangezur Congress, held in Tatev on 26 April 1921, declared the independence of the self-governing regions of Daralagiaz (Vayots Dzor), Zangezur, and Mountainous Karabakh under the name of the Republic of Mountainous Armenia (Lernahayastani Hanrapetutyun), with Nzhdeh (bearing the title of sparapet, meaning "supreme commander") as its prime minister and minister of defense. On June 1, the Republic of Mountainous Armenia was renamed the Republic of Armenia, and Simon Vratsian took the office of prime minister, while Nzhdeh remained as sparapet.
Between April and July 1921, the Red Army conducted massive military operations in the region, attacking Syunik from north and the east. After months of fierce battles with the Red Army, the Republic of Mountainous Armenia capitulated in July 1921 following Soviet Russia's promises to keep the mountainous region as a part of Soviet Armenia. After the conflict, Nzhdeh, his soldiers, and many prominent Armenian intellectuals, including leaders of the first independent Republic of Armenia, crossed the border into the neighboring Iranian city of Tabriz.
Organizational activities
After leaving Syunik, Nzhdeh spent four months in the city of Tabriz. There his relations with the ARF leadership worsened, and he was expelled from the party in September 1921 at the suggestion of Simon Vratsian. Soon after, he moved to Sofia, Bulgaria, where he settled and married Epimé, a local Armenian woman. They had one son together, named Vrezh. At the 10th ARF World Congress, Nzhdeh's case was reviewed and he was restored to the party.
Nzhdeh was involved in organizational activities in Bulgaria, Romania and the United States through his frequent visits to Plovdiv, Bucharest and Boston. In 1926, Nzhdeh again came into dispute with the ARF leadership over the issue of relations with Turkey, with the party organization in Bulgaria being divided between supporters of Nzhdeh and supporters of the ARF Bureau (the party's top executive body). The ARF Bureau, in particular leading members Ruben Ter Minasian and Simon Vratsian, expressed its desire to establish relations with Turkey, while Nzhdeh and others such as Shahan Natalie believed that the party should maintain a strictly anti-Turkish orientation.
In 1933, by the decision of ARF, Nzhdeh moved to the United States along with his comrade, Kopernik Tanterjian. He visited several states and provinces in United States and Canada, inspiring the Armenian communities that had established themselves there, and founding an Armenian youth movement called Tseghakron (Armenian: Ցեղակրոն) (see Tseghakronism) in Boston, Massachusetts, which later renamed itself the Armenian Youth Federation, and functions to this day as the youth wing of the ARF.
In the autumn of 1934, Nzhdeh returned to Sofia. He was summoned by the party to Cairo in 1937, where the ARF Bureau unsuccessfully attempted to resolve its differences with Nzhdeh and reconcile him with Ruben Ter Minasian. After returning to Sofia, Nzhdeh declared his resignation from the ARF; the Bureau likewise declared his expulsion from the party for his "schismatic activities" and confirmed this decision at the 13th ARF World Congress (1938). In 1937, Nzhdeh went to Plovdiv, Bulgaria, where he began to publish the Armenian-language newspaper, Razmik, together with fellow former ARF member Hayk Asatryan. At the end of the 1930s, along with a group of Armenian intellectuals in Sofia, he founded the Taron Nationalist Movement and published its organ Taroni Artsiv ("Eagle of Taron") newspaper. Despite his falling out with the ARF, which some scholars attribute to Nzhdeh's "extreme" or "racist views", ARF newspapers would continue to publish his articles. In 1938, the ARF offered to restore Nzhdeh to the party and accommodate his political demands to prevent him from forming a separate organization, which Nzhdeh rejected.
During his time in Bulgaria, Nzhdeh maintained close contacts with revolutionary organizations of Macedonian Bulgarians and Bulgarian Symbolist poet Theodore Trayanov.
World War II, arrest and trial
During World War II, Nzhdeh suggested supporting the Axis powers if the latter would make a decision to attack Turkey. Operation Gertrud, a joint German-Bulgarian project about attacking Turkey in the event that Ankara joined the allies, was discussed in Berlin. In 1942, Nzhdeh was invited by Artashes Abeghyan to serve on the Armenian National Council (Armenischen Nationalen Gremiums) in Berlin, a collaborationist body created by Nazi Germany to coerce Armenian POWs into joining to avoid imprisonment in concentration camps. That year the Nazis created the Armenische Legion, composed mostly of captured Soviet Armenian prisoners of war, and placed it under the command of veteran ARF leader Drastamat Kanayan. Together with Artashes Abeghyan and Abraham Gyulkhandanyan, Nzhdeh co-edited and wrote for Azat Hayastan ("Free Armenia"), the pro-German and anti-Soviet organ of the Armenian National Council, which published only two issues in 1943.
The Armenian battalions were sent to the Crimean peninsula on the Eastern Front in 1943. During the war, Nzhdeh went with Dro to Nazi-occupied Crimea and then to the North Caucasus, but returned to Bulgaria in 1944. On 9 September 1944 Nzhdeh wrote a letter to Stalin offering his support were the Soviet leadership to attack Turkey. A Soviet plan to invade Turkey in order to punish Ankara for alleged collaboration with the Nazis and also for seizing several eastern provinces was intensely discussed by the Soviet leadership in 1945–1947. The Soviet military commanders told Nzhdeh that the idea of collaboration was interesting but in order to be able to discuss it in more details, Nzhdeh would have needed to travel to Moscow. He was transferred to Bucharest and later to Moscow, where he was arrested and held in the Lubyanka prison. According to another account, Nzhdeh went into hiding after the Communist takeover in Bulgaria in 1944, before turning himself in to the authorities some months later, after which he was transferred to Moscow.
After his arrest, Nzhdeh's wife and son were sent to exile from Sofia to Pavlikeni.
In November 1946, Nzhdeh was sent to Yerevan, Armenia, awaiting trial. At the end of his trial, on 24 April 1948, Nzhdeh was charged with "counterrevolutionary" activities from the 1920–1921 period and sentenced to 25 years of imprisonment (to begin in 1944).
Life in prison and death
See also: Soviet territorial claims to Turkey during World War II— Garegin Nzhdeh to KGB Colonel Martiros AghekianI spit on your execution. You must understand who you are dealing with. I'm Garegin Nzhdeh, a staunch enemy of the Bolshevism. I dedicated my own life to the struggle for freedom and independence of my people. I defended Zangezur from the Turks and the Turkish Bolsheviks. Is it possible that I will be afraid of your execution? Many have tried to threaten me, but they could not do anything.
In 1947 Nzhdeh proposed an initiative to the Soviet government that would call for the foundation of a pan-Armenian military and political organization in the Armenian diaspora for the seizure of once-Armenian populated provinces of the former Ottoman Empire from Turkish control and its unification with Soviet Armenia. Despite the reputed interest of the Communist leadership to this initiative, the proposal was eventually refused.
Between 1948 and 1952 Nzhdeh was kept in Vladimir Prison, then until the summer of 1953 in a secret prison in Yerevan. According to his prison fellow Hovhannes Devedjian, Nzhdeh's transfer to Yerevan prison was related to an attempt to mediate between the Dashnaks and the Soviet leaders to create a collaborative atmosphere between the two sides. After long negotiations with the state security service of Soviet Armenia, Nzhdeh and Devedjian prepared a letter in Yerevan prison (1953) addressed to the ARF leader Simon Vratsian, calling on him to cooperate with the Soviets regarding the issue of the Armenian struggle against Turkey. However, the communist leaders in Moscow refused to send the letter.
While he was in prison, Nzhdeh was taken several times from Vladimir to Armenia, where, accompanied by a guard of honor, they conducted tours of Soviet Armenia, showing him that Soviet power brought benefits to Armenia.
After receiving a telegram from the Soviet authorities announcing his death, Nzhdeh's brother Levon left Yerevan for Vladimir to take care of his burial service. He received Nzhdeh's watch and clothing but was not allowed to take his personal writings, which would only be published in Yerevan several years later. The authorities also did not allow the transfer of his body to Armenia. Levon Ter-Harutyunyan conducted Nzhdeh's burial in Vladimir and wrote on his tombstone, in Russian, "Ter-Harutyunyan Garegin Eghishevich (1886–1955)".
Funerals and memorials
On 31 August 1983, Nzhdeh's remains were secretly transferred from Vladimir to rest in Soviet Armenia. This was done through the efforts of Pavel Ananyan, the husband of Nzhdeh's granddaughter, with the help of linguistics professor Varag Arakelyan and others, including Gurgen Armaghanyan, Garegin Mkhitaryan, Artsakh Buniatyan, and Zhora Barseghyan. On 7 October 1983, the right hand of Nzhdeh's body was placed on the slopes of Mount Khustup near Kozni fountain, as Nzhdeh had once expressed the wish "when you find me killed, bury my body at the top of Khustup to let me clearly view Kapan, Gndevaz, Goghtan and Geghvadzor...".
According to the participants of the funeral, the rest of Nzhdeh's body was kept in the cellar of Varag Arakelyan's house in the village of Kotayk until 9 May 1987, when it was secretly transferred to Vayots Dzor and buried in the churchyard of the 14th-century Spitakavor Surb Astvatsatsin Church near Yeghegnadzor. Nzhdeh's gravestone was erected through the efforts of Paruyr Hayrikyan and Movses Gorgisyan on 17 June 1989, a day that later turned into an annual pilgrimage day to the monastery's graveyard.
Decades after his death, on 30 March 1992, Nzhdeh was rehabilitated by Prosecutor General's Office of the newly independent Republic of Armenia.
On 26 April 2005 during the celebration of the 84th anniversary of the Republic of Mountainous Armenia, parts of Nzhdeh's body were taken from the Spitakavor Church to Khustup. Thus, Nzhdeh was reburied for the third time, finally to rest on the slopes of Mount Khustup near Nzhdeh's memorial in Kapan.
In March 2010, Nzhdeh was selected as the "National pride and the most outstanding figure" of Armenians throughout the history by the voters of "We are Armenians" TV project launched by "Hay TV" and broadcast as well by the Public Television of Armenia (H1).
In Yerevan, a public square and metro station are named after Nzhdeh. Nzhdeh, Armenia, a village in the Syunik Province of Armenia, is named after Nzhdeh.
Controversy
After Israeli ambassador Joel Lion denounced a small rally "glorifying" Nzhdeh and called him a "Nazi collaborator" in January 2024, Armenia's Foreign Ministry criticized him for "exploiting" actions based on national and religious intolerance.
Awards
Country | Award | Year | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Kingdom of Bulgaria | Order of Bravery | For Bravery | 16 November 1912 | |
Russian Empire | Order of St. Vladimir | 3rd class | 1915, 1918 | |
Order of St. Anna | 4th class | 1915 | ||
Cross of St. George | 3rd class | 1916 | ||
Cross of St. George | 2nd class | 1916 |
Written works
Publications
In 1923, while in Bucharest, Romania, Nzhdeh published a series of articles in the local Armenian newspaper Nor Arshaluys ("New Sunrise") entitled "My word - Why did I take up arms against the Soviet troops?" Nzhdeh wrote in detail about the history of the wars in Syunik (Zangezour) in an extensive series of articles for the Boston newspaper Hairenik ("Homeland") in 1923–1925.
In 1924-1925 he contributed to the ARF newspaper Hayastan ("Armenia") published in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. In 1924, separate chapters from his work Ejer im oragren ("Pages from my diary") were published here, which was published in a separate booklet in Cairo, Egypt, the same year.
In 1926, Nzhdeh wrote for the newspaper Araks based in Sofia, Bulgaria, where he published a series of articles titled "Open Letters to the Armenian Intellectuals".
List of literature
- Dashnaktsutyun Pantheon, Alexandropol, 1917 (Armenian: Դաշնակցութեան պանթէոնը, Romanized: Dashnaktsutean panteon)
- Military Charter, Yerevan, 1918 (Armenian: Զորաշարժային կանոնադրութիւն, Romanized: Zorasharjayin Kanonadrutyun)
- Khustupian Calls, Goris, 1921 (Armenian: Խուստուփեան կանչեր, Romanized: Khustupean Kancher)
- Pages from my diary, Cairo, Husaber, 1924 (Armenian: Էջեր իմ օրագրէն, Romanized: Ejer im oragren)
- The struggle of sons against fathers, Thessaloniki, 1927 (Armenian: Որդիների պայքարը հայրերի դէմ, Romanized: Vordineri payqary hayreri dem)
- An open letter to the Armenian intelligentsia, Beirut, 1929 (Armenian: Բաց նամակ հայ մտաւորականութեան, Romanized: Bats namak hay mtavorakanutean)
- The Movement of the Spirit of the Nation, Sofia, 1932 (Armenian: Ցեղի ոգու շարժ, Romanized: Tseghi vogu sharj)
- American Armenians. The nation and its scum, Sofia, 1935 (Armenian: Ամերիկահայութիւնը. ցեղը և իր տականքը, Romanized: Amerikahayutiwne: tseghe ew ir takanke)
- My Answer։ The tragedy of Armenia under Turkish-Bolshevik documents, Sofia, Tpagr. P. Palegchian, 1937 (Armenian: Իմ պատասխանը, Romanized: Im pataskhany)
- Autobiography, Sofia, 1944 (Armenian: Ինքնակենսագրություն, Romanized: Inknakensenagrutyun)
- Covenant of Tseghakronism, Yerevan: Hay Dat, 1989 (Armenian: Ցեղակրոնության ուխտ, Romanized: Tseghakronutyan ukht)
- Prison Records, Yerevan, 1993 (Armenian: Բանտային գրառումներ, Romanized: Bantayin grarumner)
- Military regulations. Khustupyan calls, Yerevan, 1993, 56 pages (Armenian: Զորաշարժային կանոնադրություն։ Խուստուփյան կանչեր, Romanized: Zorasharjayin kanonadrutyun: Khustupyan kancher)
- Pages in my diary. An open letter to the Armenian intelligentsia. The struggle of sons against fathers, Yerevan, 1998, 160 pages (Armenian: Էջեր իմ օրագրեն։ Բաց նամակ հայ մտավորականության։ Որդիների պայքարը հայրերի դեմ, Romanized: Ejer im oragren: Bats namak hay mtavorakanutean: Vordineri payqary hayreri dem)
- Covenant of Tseghakronism, Yerevan, 1998, 16 pages (Armenian: Ցեղակրոնության ուխտ, Romanized: Tseghkronutyan ukht)
- The Eternal Weapon of the Tribe, Yerevan, 1998, 87 pages (Armenian: Ցեղի հավիտենական զենքը, Romanized: Tsheghi havitenakan zenq)
- Free Syunik, Beirut, 1999, 176 pages (Armenian: Ազատ Սիւնիք, Romanized: Azat Syunik)
- The struggle for the survival of Mountainous Armenia, Beirut, 1999, 44 pages (Armenian: Լեռնահայաստանի գոյամարտը, Romanized: Lernahayastani goyamart)
- Awakening of the Nation, Yerevan, 1999, 36 pages (Armenian: Ցեղի արթնություն, Romanized: Tseghi artnutyun)
- American-Armenians: the nation and its scum, Yerevan, 2000 (Armenian: Ամերիկահայությունը՝ ցեղը և իր տականքը, Romanized: Amerikahayutiwne: tseghe ew ir takanke)
- The movement of the spirit of the nation, Yerevan, 2000 (Armenian: Ցեղի ոգու շարժը, Romanized: Tseghi vogu sharj)
- The movement of the spirit of the nation. Armenian-Americans: the tribe and its scum, Yerevan, 2000, 118 pages (Armenian: Ցեղի ոգու շարժը։ Ամերիկահայությունը՝ ցեղը և իր տականքը, Romanized: Amerikahayutiwne: tseghe ew ir takanke)
- Tseghakronism as a power of victory. Tribal awakening. What is Tseghakronism, Yerevan, 2001, 48 pages (Armenian: Ցեղակրօնութիւնն իբր յաղթանակի զօրոյթ։ Ցեղային արթնութիւն։ Ինչ է ցեղակրօնութիւնը, Romanized: Tseghakronutyunn ibr haghtanaki xoruyt: Tseghayin artnutyun: Inch e tseghakronutyun)
- Selected, Yerevan, 2001, 405 pages (Armenian: Հատընտիր, Romanized: Hatyntir)
- Pages from my diary. An open letter to the Armenian intelligentsia, Yerevan, 2002, 52 pages (Armenian: Էջեր իմ օրագրեն։ Բաց նամակ հայ մտավորականության, Romanized: Ejer im oragren: Bats namak hay mtavorakanutean)
- Works, volume 1, Yerevan, RA NAS Publishing House, 2002, 532 pages (Armenian: Երկեր, Romanized: Yerker)
- Works, volume 2, Yerevan, RA NAS Publishing House, 2002, 504 pages (Armenian: Երկեր, Romanized: Yerker)
- Collection of letters (1920-1921), Yerevan, 2002, 48 pages (Armenian: Նամականի, Romanized: Namakani)
- Newly discovered relics, Yerevan, 2002, 20 pages (Armenian: Նորահայտ մասունքներ, Romanized: Norahayt masunqner)
- Big idea (newly discovered relics), Yerevan, 2003, 80 pages (Armenian: Մեծ գաղափար (նորահայտ մասունքներ), Romanized: Mets gaghapar (norahayt masunqner))
- The struggle of sons against fathers, Beirut, 2005, 127 pages (Armenian: Որդիների պայքարը հայրերի դէմ, Romanized: Vordineri payqary hayreri dem)
- Selected /second supplemented edition/, Yerevan, 2006, 706 pages (Armenian: Հատընտիր /երկրորդ լրացված հրատարակություն/ Romanized: Hatyntir)
- Open Letter to Michael Arlen, Los Angeles, 2008 (Armenian: Բաց նամակ Մայքլ Արլենին, Romanized: Bats namak Mayql Arlenin)
- To the Armenian Warrior (The Art of Winning), Yerevan, 2010, 64 pages (Arrmenian: Հայ ռազմիկին (Հաղթելու արվեստը), Romanized: Hay razmikin (Haghtelu arverst))
- Worldview, Yerevan, 2011, 28 pages (Armenian: Աշխարհայեցողություն, Romanized: Ashkharhayetsoghutyun)
- Newly discovered letters, Yerevan, 2011 (Armenian: Նորահայտ նամակներ, Romanized: Norahayt namakner)
- Literary works, Yerevan, 2012, 216 pages (Armenian: Գրական երկեր, Romanized: Grakan erker)
- Prison life. Letters. Posts, Yerevan, 2016, 187 pages (Armenian: Բանտային կյանք։ Նամակներ։ Գրառումներ, Romanized: Bantayin kyanq: Namakner: Grarumner)
- Remember the war. Khustupyan calls, Yerevan, 2017, 148 pages (Armenian: Հիշի՛ր պատերազմը։ Խուստուփյան կանչեր, Romanized: Hishir paterazmy: Khustupean Kancher)
- Selected Works of Garegin Nzhdeh, translated by Eduard Danielyan. Montreal: "Nakhijevan" Institute of Canada 2011
Secondary literature and popular culture
- Avo. Nzhdeh. Beirut, 1968.
- Bantarkeali me hushere: tarapanki tariner G. Nzhdehi het, ed. Armen Sevan. Buenos Aires, 1970.
- Hambardzumyan, Rafael. Nzhdeh: hamarot kensagrakan ev kensataregrutyun. Yerevan, 2006.
- Kevorkian, Vartan. Lernahayastani herosamarte, 1919-1921. Bucharest: Tp. Jahakir, 1923.
- Lalayan, Mushegh. Tseghakron ev Taronakan sharzhumnere: patmutyun ev gaghaparakhosutyun. Yerevan: Hayastani Hanrapetakan kusaktsutyun, 2011.
- Garegin Nzhdeh, published on the occasion of his 110th anniversary, Yerevan 1996.
- Garegin Nzhdeh: Analecta, contains Nzhdeh's ideologies, thoughts, letters, speeches and other writings, Yerevan 2006.
- Films
- The Path of the Eternal, by Arthur Babayan and Armen Tevanian.
- Garegin Nzhdeh, a documentary film within the Why Is the Past Still Making Noise? series, produced in 2011 by the Public TV of Armenia.
- Garegin Nzhdeh [hy], film premiered on 28 January 2013 in Yerevan's Moscow Cinema, produced by HK Productions.
Notes
-
- Armenian: Գարեգին Տէր Յարութիւնեան
- Reformed orthography: Գարեգին Տեր-Հարությունյան
- Nzhdeh in Armenian means "exile" or "wanderer". Also transliterated as Karekin Njdeh or Nejdeh.
References
- Harutyunyan, Arus (2009). Contesting National Identities in an Ethnically Homogeneous State: The Case of Armenian Democratization (PhD thesis). Western Michigan University. p. 61.
- ^ Panossian, Razmik (2006). The Armenians: From Kings and Priests to Merchants and Commissars. New York: Columbia University Press. p. 301. ISBN 9780231139267.
- Chorbajian, Levon (1994). The Caucasian Knot: The History & Geopolitics of Nagorno-Karabagh. London: Zed Books. p. 134. ISBN 9781856492881.
But it is undeniable that if Zangezur has since been an integral part of Soviet Armenia, it was Nzhdeh who made it possible.
- Panossian, Razmik (2006). The Armenians: From Kings and Priests to Merchants and Commissars. London: Columbia University Press. p. 259. ISBN 9780231511339.
- De Waal, Thomas (2015). Great Catastrophe: Armenians and Turks in the Shadow of Genocide. Oxford University Press. p. 112. ISBN 978-0-19-090478-4. OCLC 1085942778.
The other general who fought with the Nazis was Dashnak veteran Garegin Njdeh, who had been Dro's comrade-in-arms in the tsarist army.
- Smele, Jonathan D. (2015). Historical Dictionary of the Russian Civil Wars, 1916-1926. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 795. ISBN 978-1442252813.
- ^ Stepanian, Ruzanna (22 November 2017). "Armenian Ruling Party Rebuffs Russian Accusation It 'Glorifies Nazism'". RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
Nzhdeh was one of several exiled Armenian leaders who pledged allegiance to Nazi Germany in 1942 with the stated aim of saving Soviet Armenia from a possible Turkish invasion after what they expected to be a Soviet defeat by the Third Reich.
- ^ "Karekin Njdeh: A Biographical Sketch". Armenian National Committee of America. 21 December 2015. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
In order to be able to influence Nazi policy, Njdeh aligned himself with Germany and offered his services in exchange for putting an end to the anti-Armenian campaign in the German press... Njdeh wanted to make sure that regardless of the turn of events, he could either guarantee the security of Armenia in case of a possible Turkish invasion of the Caucasus or liberate Western Armenia if Germany attacked Turkey.
- Համբարձումեան, Ռաֆայէլ (2003). Գարեգին Նժդեհ: Համառօտ կենսագրական, ասոյթներ եւ կենսատարեգրութիւն (in Armenian). Nakhijewan hratarakchʻutʻiwn. p. 181. ISBN 978-99930-860-5-5.
- Habeshian, Vahe (16 April 2014). Voices from the Past: Excerpts from Writings of Armenian Revolutionaries. Hairenik Association. ISBN 978-1-940573-09-0.
- "Garegin Nzhdeh [1886–1955]". 16 June 2016. Retrieved 2 January 2025.
- Allen, Tom; Holding, Deirdre (8 September 2023). Armenia: and Nagorno Karabagh. Bradt Travel Guides. p. 328. ISBN 978-1-78477-943-6.
- Македоно-одринското опълчение 1912–1913. Личен състав по документи на Дирекция "Централен военен архив", София 2006, с. 521 (Macedonian-Adrianopolitan Volunteer Corps. Staff according to documents from Directorate Central Military Archives, Sofia 2006, p. 521)
- Habeshian, Vahe (16 April 2014). Voices from the Past: Excerpts from Writings of Armenian Revolutionaries. Hairenik Association. ISBN 978-1-940573-09-0.
- "Garegin Nzhdeh's Statue to be Erected in Bulgaria". 26 January 2018. Retrieved 2 January 2025.
- Hovannisian, Richard G. (1997) The Armenian People from Ancient to Modern Times. New York. St. Martin's Press, 299
- Mutafian, Claude (1994). "Karabagh in the Twentieth Century". In Chorbajian, Levon; Donabedian, Patrick; Mutafian, Claude (eds.). The Caucasian Knot: the History and Geopolitics of Nagorno-Karabakh. London: Zed Books. p. 127. ISBN 1856492885.
Dro advanced from Yerevan to the Varanda District (which included Shushi) while Nzhdeh, then the military commander in Zangezur, led his troops from Ghapan (Kapan) toward the southern district of Dizak. Their military intervention along with pressure by the Entente powers from Tiflis brought the massacres to an end.
- Hakobyan, Tatul (16 June 2021). "Garegin Nzhdehi, Andraniki ev Droyi Artsʻakhyan nahanjě. 1918-1920 tʻtʻ" [Garegin Nzhdeh's, Andranik's and Dro's retreat from Artsakh, 1918–1920]. ANI Armenian Research Center (in Armenian). Retrieved 25 April 2022.
- ^ Lalayan, Mushegh. Գարեգին Նժդեհ (կենսագրական ակնարկ) [Garegin Nzhdeh (biographical sketch)] (PDF) (in Armenian). Republican Party of Armenia.
- Hovannisian 1982, p. 239.
- Hovannisian 1996b.
- ^ Demirchyan, Noubar (25 January 2021). "Նժդեհի Վերադարձը Դէպի Պուլկարիա Եւ Ձերբակալութիւնը" [Nzhdeh's Return to Bulgaria and Arrest]. Hairenik. Archived from the original on 25 April 2022. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
- ^ Walker, Christorpher J. (1990). Armenia: The Survival of a Nation (2nd ed.). London: Routledge. p. 437. ISBN 0-415-04684-X.
- ^ Sahakyan, Vahe (2015). Between Host-Countries and Homeland: Institutions, Politics and Identities in the Post-Genocide Armenian Diaspora (1920s to 1980s) (Ph.D. dissertation). University of Michigan. hdl:2027.42/113641. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
- Михайлов, Иван. Карекин Нъждех, в. Македонска трибуна, г. 31, бр. 1601, 21 ноември 1957 (Mihaylov, Ivan. Garegin Nzhdeh, Macedonian Tribune, N 1601, 21 November 1957)
- Habeshian, Vahe (16 April 2014). Voices from the Past: Excerpts from Writings of Armenian Revolutionaries. Hairenik Association. ISBN 978-1-940573-09-0.
- Kurt Mehner, Germany. Oberkommando der Wehrmacht, Bundesarchiv (Germany). Militärarchiv, Arbeitskreis für Wehrforschung. Die Geheimen Tagesberichte der Deutschen Wehrmachtführung im Zweiten Weltkrieg, 1939–1945: 1. Dezember 1943–29. Februar 1944. p. 51 (in German).
- Berberian, Houri (2020). "From Nationalist-Socialist to National Socialist? The Shifting Politics of Abraham Giulkhandanian". In Der Matossian, Bedross (ed.). The First Republic of Armenia (1918-1920) on Its Centenary: Politics, Gender, and Diplomacy. Fresno: The Press at California State University, Fresno. pp. 53–88. ISBN 9780912201672.
- Krikorian, Robert O. (2011), "Kars-Ardahan and Soviet Armenian Irredentism, 1945–1946," in Armenian Kars and Ani, ed. Richard G. Hovannisian. Costa Mesa, CA: Mazda Publishers, pp. 393–409.
- "Russia Unhappy With Armenian Statue". Azatutyun. 28 May 2016. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
- Гарегин Нжде и КГБ (in Russian). Bvahan.com. Archived from the original on 9 October 2007. Retrieved 31 October 2014.
- "Подсмотрено". smartik.ru (in Russian). Retrieved 19 June 2022.
- "Karekin Njhdeh Monument in Kapan". Asbarez. 25 August 2000. Retrieved 4 August 2013.
- Nzhdeh after his death
- A1plus.am NZHDEH WAS RE-BURIED Retrieved 27 April 2005
- Menqhayenq.com – We Are Armenians:About Project Archived 14 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine
- Menqhayenq.com – We Are Armenians:Rating Archived 14 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine
- "Deeply disturbed by the march in #Yerevan, on 1.1.2024, echoing 'Sieg Heil' chants. Glorifying Garegin Nzhdeh, a Nazi collaborator is unacceptable. 🇦🇲Authorities must take a firm stand against any form of neo-nazism & antisemitism. @MFAofArmenia". @ambassadorlion. 3 January 2024. Archived from the original on 4 January 2024.
- "Հայաստանի ԱԳՆ-ն արձագանքել է Գարեգին Նժդեհի հասցեին Իսրայելի դեսպանի խոսքերին". news.am (in Armenian). 23 February 2024. Archived from the original on 23 September 2024.
- ^ "Ճանաչենք Մերոնց․ Գարեգին Նժդեհ". www.iammedia.am. Retrieved 19 June 2022.
Bibliography
- Hovannisian, Richard G. (1982). The Republic of Armenia: From Versailles to London, 1919–1920. Vol. 2. Berkeley: University of California Press. ISBN 978-0520041868.
- Hovannisian, Richard G. (1996b). The Republic of Armenia: Between Crescent and Sickle: Partition and Sovietization. Vol. 4. Berkeley: University of California Press. ISBN 978-0520088047.
External links
- About Nzhdeh in Armenian in website nzhde.com
- Garegin Nzhdeh Movie 2013 in website kkkino.ru
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