DEMOGRAPHIC SHIFTS IN NORTHEAST ARMENIA UNDER THE RULE OF SHAH ABBAS

Abstract

Shah Abbas came to power in Safavid Persia at the beginning of the 17th century by the
time the war between Persia and Turkey had started. The military actions which lasted for more
than a century had unprecedented serious consequences for the Armenian people, because
Armenia was the main stage of military actions. The main tragedy was the deportation of 1604
organized by shah Abbas. As a result, many provinces of Armenia were partially or completely
abandoned. Even though Northeast Armenia did not escape the disasters that plagued Armenia
during the reign of shah Abbas, deportations in those regions were not massive and systematic
unlike in other regions. Historical and demographic processes in Northeast Armenia were also
caused by the Georgian-Iranian military clashes. As a result, Armenian settlements became a
target for both Georgian and Kizilbash troops