This beautiful area has manynatural and cultural-historical monuments that still attract the attention of some researchers and tourists. But mountainous Karabakh is more known to the whole world by the ethnic conflict that took place in 1988, as the history so ordered. The beginning of the sad accident that claimed many lives was a statement by the leadership of the autonomy about joining Armenia. Currently, the region, which is actually the administrative part of Azerbaijan, is controlled by the Nagorny Karabakh Republic, which is not recognized in the world.
Nagorno-Karabakh: where is it located?
It occupies the mountainous and foothill area of the SmallCaucasus, the same geographical area. The etymology of the name comes from the Turkic "Kara" (which means "black") and "bang" (in Persian - "garden"). Often, this term - mountain Karabakh - refers to the unrecognized republic itself. But geographically territories coincide only partially.
Ancient history
In ancient times, mountainous Karabakh settledtribes that had non-Indo-European roots. These tribes mixed with the Armenians, and the region itself became part of it (4-2 centuries BC). At this time, the area was part of the Armenian Yervidsky kingdom (called - Artsakh province). After the fall of the Armenian kingdom, she departs to Caucasian Albania (dependent on Persia). But for a long time being in the composition of Armenia, the tribes were armenianized and acquired all the signs of Armenian culture. So, according to one historical source, in 700 AD e. the people who inhabited mountainous Karabakh at that time spoke an Armenian dialect. And they had all the signs of belonging to this ethnic group.
Middle Ages and New History
In the 9-11 century, the territory is included in the restoredThe Armenian state, and from the 13th century the Armenian princes ruled there. In the 12-13 centuries, Karabakh is one of the centers of Armenian culture and political life (according to the testimony of foreign travelers). Up to the 16th century, as some historians believe, the institutions of Armenian statehood remained in Artsakh.
Ottoman occupation
In the 1820s, Karabakh was the center of the struggleagainst the empire of Osman, designed to liberate the Armenians from occupation. And since the reign of Peter the Great and later, the priests have secret correspondence, which aims to annex the territories of Karabakh to the Russian Empire. In the middle of the 18th century, a khanate was formed, subordinating Armenian Karabakh, and the locality and the people were under Turkish rule.
Russian empire
And in 1805, during the Russian-Persian war inKarabakh entered Russian troops. So from 1813 (a peace treaty was signed) is officially Russian territory. And from 1823, after the complete liquidation of the Khanate, Nagorny Karabakh was first part of the Karabakh Russian province, and then - several provinces of the province.
After 1917
The Russian Empire and AzerbaijanThe state immediately disputes the right of the Armenians to rule the territory. The district again becomes an area for inter-ethnic clashes between Armenians and Azerbaijanis. With foreign aid, the latter succeed, and the territory passes under the authority of Azerbaijan. In the Soviet years, the area was considered controversial, but in 1921-23. he finally becomes part of the AzSSR, and then stands out in the autonomous region.
Mountain Karabakh. The war and the essence of the conflict
The Armenian population of the area has always wantedrestore (in his opinion) justice in historical terms. After all, Artsakh, a well-known region with a long history of Armenian history, was determined by the decision of the Soviet government, handed over to the power of Azerbaijanis and became part of AzSSR. The unequal position of some representatives of the people (and the number of Armenians during the years of the USSR in Karabakh was significantly reduced) was the main reason for not wanting to remain in that position. All this led to the emergence of a conflict situation: pogroms in Sumgait, events in Baku and Khojaly.
Its very essence is explained by the fact thatAzerbaijani authorities do not want to recognize Karabakh as originally Armenian lands, designating Armenia as an aggressor and occupier. And in the early nineties, first spontaneous and then large-scale hostilities broke out, leading to a real war between Azerbaijan and Armenia. A fragile and relative, peace was restored only to the 94th year.
Independence referendum and current situation
In the 91st in Nagorno-Karabakh was heldnationwide referendum on independence. Republic formed autonomous institutions of power. The UN and other international structures still do not recognize the sovereignty of the country. Solidarity and loyalty are shown only by Abkhazia, South Ossetia, Transnistria, which to some extent are themselves unrecognized. Russia has repeatedly acted, as a peacemaker, in the settlement of the dispute. But the conflicting countries still have not reached a consensus on borders and territories. Azerbaijan continues to frighten the republic with forceful seizure, while Armenia insists on self-determination and a new referendum. What is happening in Nagorno-Karabakh now? In the fragile world, the republic continues to develop such sectors as agriculture, tourism, and mining. But the provocations and attacks of sabotage groups continue, although the government claims that the situation is under control.
