THE ARMENIAN POPULATION OF THE BALU REGION OF DIARBEKIR PROVINCE (TIGRANAKERT) IN 1878-1895

Abstract

The Balu region was historically a part of the Forth Armenia (Sofena) of Greater Armenia
and since 1880s was part of sanjak Argan Maden, Diarbekir province. The Balu region
included about 50 villages inhabited by Armenians, more than 20 of which were inhabited only
by Armenians. The article provides statistical data on the number of Armenians in the region at
the above mentioned time. In particular, according to the data of the British geographer,
traveler H. Lynch, the total population of the region was 60 730 souls, the number of
Armenians was 15 150, Muslims – 45 580. In the article published in the “Araks” magazine
there is census data, according to which the number of Armenians was 23 000. The data of the
Russian military, vice-consul in Van A.M. Kolyubakin, and other researchers are also given.
The article also contains a table in which the number of Armenians in the settlements of the
region is presented according to the data of P. Natanyan and G. Srvandzyants. In general, more
than 20 000 Armenians lived in the Balu region in 1878- 1895.