Hakhis

Hakhis is a village in the Echmiadzin uezd of the former Iravan governorate, later in the former Ashtarak district, and currently in the Aragatsotn province. The provincial centre lies 7 km to the northwest of the town of Ashtarak, at a height of 1,250 m above sea level. It was marked as “Akhis” in “The Iravan Province Comprehensive Data Book” dated 1590, and as “Akhis” on the five-verst map of the Caucasus.

The village was solely inhabited by Azerbaijanis: 93 in 1831, 182 in 1873, 302 Azerbaijanis in 1886, 404 in 1897, 365 in 1908, 920 in 1914, 365 in 1918 and 997 Azerbaijanis in 1919. In late 1919 the Azerbaijanis were deported by Armenian armed forces, and the Armenians from Türkiye were settled in the village. Following the establishment of Soviet power in present-day Armenia, the surviving Azerbaijanis managed to return to their ancestral lands. Along with the Armenians, the village was inhabited by 20 Azerbaijanis in 1922 and 18 Azerbaijanis in 1926. In 1928–1929 the Azerbaijanis were completely expelled from their ancient lands. At present, it is inhabited by Armenians.

The toponym was coined on the basis of the word “aghis”, “akhiz” (aqis, hakhis, haxis) meaning “a river basin, source”, “a passage”. The sound “h” was added at the beginning of the toponym and the toponym was registered in accordance with its pronunciation. In the Azerbaijani language, it is typical to add the consonant “h” in the pronunciation of some words beginning with a vowel (“araba-haraba”, “açar-haçar”, “elə-helə”).

 By the decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Armenian SSR dated 1 December 1949, the name of the village was changed to “Dzorab”, and by decision dated 3 April 1991, it was renamed “Aghtsk”. According to the law “On the administrative-territorial division of the Republic of Armenia” dated 7 November 1995, it was integrated into the administrative area of the Aragatsotn province.

Geographical coordinates: latitude: 40°18’ N., longitude: 44°15’ E.