Gamarli district was established on September 9, 1930. The center of the district with an area of 507 km² was the city of Gamarli, which was subordinated to the republic. The distance from there to the city of Iravan is 29 km. Zangi and Aras rivers flow through the borders of the region.

The territory of the district was included in the Garnibasar district of the historical Iravan khanate, and during Tsarist Russia it was part of the Iravan district of the Iravan governorate.

In December 1937, due to the establishment of Zangibasar district, 18 villages were separated from the territory of Gamarli district and given to this new district. However, due to the deportation of 1948–1951, Zangibasar district was abolished and the villages included in Gamarli district were returned. In 1969, in connection with the re-establishment of Zangibasar district, Gamarli district underwent territorial changes again. In addition, in 1964, Vedi district was abolished and joined the already Armenianized Gamarli district, but soon after its restoration, it was separated from Gamarli.

By the decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Armenian SSR dated September 4, 1945, the name of the district was changed to “Artashat”.

Since 1987, the native inhabitants of the district – Azerbaijanis were forced to leave their places of residence. In 1995, the district was abolished and included in the administrative territory of Ararat province of Armenia.