Erivan Governorate

(see also: History of Yerevan)

Old market of Yerevan: Ghantar

The Armenian secular elite, together with the Russian authorities, started a new phase of development of Erivan(Yerevan). In 1832, the provincial school of Yerevan was opened. In the same year a library was established, which was later enriched and became the largest and famous library in Armenia (National Library of Armenia). Five years later, in 1837, a diocesan school was opened. In 1850 the girls' college was founded. In 1856 the first plan of the city was approved. In 1860 a parish school was opened in Nork. In 1863, Astafyan (now Abovyan) Street was opened, and by the end of the century, there were also other parallel vertical streets, which created a more or less regular network of transport routes in the center. In 1866, the Gaianean Girls' College was opened.

Yerevan in the beginning of 20th century

In 1879, by Royal order, a new position of mayor was established in Yerevan. Hovhannes Ghorghanyan was appointed the first mayor. Through the efforts of Ghorghanyan and the city elite, under the auspices of the Russian Empire, in 1881 the Erivan Teachers' Seminary was opened (now a Yerevan State University building). In the same year, the Yerevan Beer Factory was opened, in 1887, Tairyan Vodka, Alcohol and Wine Factory, in 1892, Mineral Water and Syrup Factory, in 1893, Afrikyan and Gyulazyan Factory, and in 1894, Sarayev Wine and Brandy factory. In 1890, Tairyan's factory was bought by the Russian manufacturer Shustov, with large investments, the production of brandy increased tenfold (see Shustov vodka). In 1907, the city was partially electrified, in 1913, it was telephoned.[4] In 1912, drinking water was brought from Forty Springs.[6] There was an electric tram and a horse-drawn carriage in the city. New shops and hotels were opened. In 1913, the first car entered the city. In 1913, there were 4 clinics, 3 pharmacies, an ophthalmology clinic and a psychiatric hospital.

Gethsemane Chapel in Yerevan

At the end of the 19th century, Yerevan continued to be an eastern town with its narrow, crooked streets, houses built of clay and small stones, markets and baths, churches and mosques. The width of the streets did not exceed 3-4 meters. Streams flowed on both sides. The city had a number of well-known urban areas: the city center - Shahar, the market - Ghantar (Persian: Libra), Kond or Tsirani Tagh, Dzoragyugh, Nork, Shen Tagh, Boulevard, Berd, etc.[6] Due to economic development, the city's population tripled in 30 years, reaching 35,000 in 1913.[4] Along with the Armenian districts, there were districts inhabited by other nations, mainly Tatars (later known as Azerbaijanis). The national minorities had their own schools, secular and spiritual centers. Several new Armenian churches were built, one of which was St. Gregory the Illuminator Church (now demolished). At the end of the 19th century and at the beginning of the 20th century Russian churches were built, St. Nicholai Cathedral and Church of the Intercession of the Holy Mother of God.

According to the Russian census of 1897, the Erivan Governorate had 829,556 inhabitants 92323 living in the cities.[16] The largest cities were Alexandropol (30616[8]) and Erivan (29006[13]). 53.2% of the governorate's population were Armenians, 37.8% were Tatars (later known as Azerbaijanis).[17] The Tatars were in a majority in the Erivan, Nakhichevan, Sharur-Daralagez, and Surmalu uyezds; the other three uyezds (Alexandropol, Novobayazet, Echmiadzin) were predominantly Armenian. Wherein, in the city of Erivan and in Igdyr (center of Surmalu uyezd) the Armenian population was exceeding the Tatarian.[13][11]

Other ethnic minorities were including Kurds (8.4%), Russians (2.1%), as well as smaller numbers of Assyrians, Greeks, Georgians, Jews, Poles, and Gypsies.[16]

As a result of the constant immigration of Armenians to the Russian Armenia after the Hamidian massacres in the Ottoman Empire in 1894-96, the percentage of the Armenians in Erivan Governorate gradually increased. According to the Central Statistical Committee of the Russian Empire, in 1905 there were 901,900 residents in Erivan Governorate.

The demographic picture changed dramatically in favor of the Armenians, especially after the World War I and the Armenian genocide.

Ethnic groups in Erivan Governorate according to 1897 Russian census.[19]

Ethnic groups in the centers of Uyezds according to 1897 Russian census.[19]

The 1917 Caucasian Calendar which produced statistics of 1916 indicates 1,120,242 residents in the Erivan Governorate, including 589,125 men and 531,117 women, 1,014,868 of whom were the permanent population, and 105,374 were temporary residents.[20]

Armenians and Russians profess Christianity, Tatars (later known as Azerbaijanis) and Kurds - Islam. Armenians predominantly follow the Armenian Apostolic Church, Russians - Eastern Orthodox Church.