2288) ARF History Museum and General Njdeh

Njdeh and Andranik mobilizing Armenian soldiers to battle in the First Balkan War. (Bulgaria)

General Njdeh [1] during the Balkan Wars 1913 fighting against the Ottomans [2] .The ARF archives are closed, yet a Museum is open since 2007. Let's start with the activities of General Njdeh to get an idea of what can be deduced . .

On July 13, 2007, the ARF History Museum was inaugurated in Yerevan, displaying the history of the party and of its notable members. The first of its exhibits was dedicated to the first Independent Republic of Armenia from 1918 to 1920 detailing the ARF’s activities during that period when the party governed the fledging republic. Government documents, stamps and other artifacts are the centerpiece of the exhibit, as well as official documents presented by Armenia at the Versailles Armistice in 1919.

Personal effects from Armenia’s prime ministers Hamo Ohanjanian, Alexander Khadissian, Simon Vratsian and Hovannes Kadjaznouni, as well as generals Antranig, Garegin Njdeh and Dro are among the highlights of the exhibit. Opened in 1946, the ARF History Museum was in Paris and throughout the years and has accumulated more than 3,000 artifacts chronicling the party’s history. After the ARF’s return to Armenia, the museum and the ARF’s archives have been transferred to Armenia.



[1] Garegin Njdeh or Garegin Ter-Harutiunian, Garegin Nzhdeh (b. 1 January 1886, Nakhicevan – d. 21 December 1955, Vladimir, Soviet Union) , played a crucial role in the formation and preservation of the Armenian statehood as an Armenian military commander, fedayee, a member of the A.R.F. Dashnaktsutyun party. He was involved in revolutionary activities in Armenia, Bulgaria and Russia and played a crucial role during the Karakilise war against Turkish forces in 1918, participated in many battles such as Van, Kars, Ararad, Veti, Avshar, Yegheknavan, etc. and played an important role in suppressing the rebellion of the Tatar (Azeri) population in 1919 in the newly established Armenian Republic he led an anti-Bolshevik uprising in the southeastern province of Syunik in 1921, proclaiming there the Republic of Mountainous Armenia (RMA) and spoiling the Bolsheviks' plans to surrender the region to Azerbaijan. After months of fierce battles with the Red Army, the RMA had to capitulate in July 1921 and Garegin Njdeh, his soldiers and many prominent Armenian intellectuals, including leaders of the first independent Armenian Republic, crossed the border into neighboring Persia.Garegin Njdeh was arrested by Soviet troops in Bulgaria in 1945 and executed for his "anti-Soviet activities," including collaboration with Nazi Germany. His ashes were moved to Armenia 20 years ago from the Russian City of Vladimir.

[2] Armenian battalions were battle groups formed by Armenian volunteer conscripts during the period of Balkan Wars and World War I, between 1912-1920 mostly fighting against the Ottoman forces:

Between 1912-13, Balkan Wars, Armenians had an auxiliary battle group within Bulgarian Army.

Between 1914-17, World War I, Armenian volunteer units was employed in Russian Army and British Army during World War I, fighting Ottoman forces in Eastern Turkey.

Between 1916-20, World War I, French Armenian Legion established by French-Armenian Agreement (1916) was a detachment unit in the French Army employed. The unit was active in Adana (Turkey) and Arara (Palestine), fighting against Ottoman and German forces.

Between 1940-45, World War II, The Armenian Legion (Armenische Legion) the 812th Armenian Battalion, which was a foreign unit of the Nazi Germany during World War II, comprised largely Armenians of Red Army POWs, under the leadership of Drastamat Kanayan.

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Source: Mavi Boncuk

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