Albanian monuments in the village of Yukhari Zaghali

In the village of Yukhari Zagali in the Basarkechar district of the Goycha district

Basarkechar district – from 11.06.1969 Vardenis, Yukhari Zagali village from 25.01.1978 Akh-pradzor

Architecture

Many of the tombstones in the old cemetery remained untouched until the mass deportation of Azerbaijanis by Armenians in 1987–1991. Later, some were appropriated by Armenians.

An ancient cemetery is located 1 km east of the village of Yukhari Zaghali. There were a large number of Albanian graves in the cemetery, 1.5–2 meters high and 60–70 cm wide. The large crosses belonging to the Albanians on the Albanian tombstones, which are carved from rock stones, are decorated with patterns used in Azerbaijani architecture and crafts. The village of Yukhari Zaghali is located 15 km southwest of the regional center, near Lake Goycha, at the foot of the Dik Pillekan mountain. It is marked on the 5-mile map of the Caucasus[2]. The village was also called Tatar (Azerbaijani) Zagali
In 1831, 98 Azerbaijanis lived in the village, in 1873 - 515, in 1886 - 717, in 1897 - 774, in 1908 - 917, in 1914 - 1018, in 1916 - 922.
In late 1918 - early 1919, Azerbaijanis were expelled by Armenians in massacres. After the establishment of Soviet power in present-day Armenia in 1920, Azerbaijanis were able to return to their native villages. After 1922, Armenians who were resettled from the Mush region of Turkey were settled in the village of Yukhari Zagali. In addition to Armenians, 185 Azerbaijanis lived here in 1926, and 206 in 1931.
During the November 1988 deportations, about 450–500 Azerbaijanis were forcibly expelled from the village.

The toponym was formed by adding the suffix “-lı” to the word “zagha” used in the Azerbaijani language in the meaning of “cave”. It is a structurally complex toponym. The word “Yukhari” used at the beginning of the toponym indicates a distinctive sign.
The village of Yukhari Zaghali was also called Tashir Zaghali and Gizilkharaba. After the establishment of the settlement of Ashaghi Zaghali in the village of Zaghali, it was called Yukhari Zaghali. The name of the village reflects the name of zagha, cave, kaha, shelter. There is no expression related to Armenians in the toponym either.