Gravestones (Oghuz graves) in the village of Yukhari Zaghali

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

Basarkechar district was renamed Vardenis on June 11, 1969, and the village of Yukhari Zaghali was renamed Akhpradzor on January 25, 1978.

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, while the rest were destroyed.

An ancient cemetery is located 1 km east of the village of Yukhari Zaghali. There were numerous Oghuz graves in the cemetery, 2 meters high and 50-60 cm wide[i]. These graves, carved from white and yellow rock, have images depicting their living conditions and lifestyle. The Oghuz graves and other graves in the cemetery belonged to Turkish tribes that lived in the area at different times. As a result of the ethnic cleansing and armenization policies carried out by the Armenians in 1905–1906, 1918–1920, and 1948–1953, most of the Oghuz graves were destroyed.

Gravestones are material evidence of the Oghuz Turks' settlement in this land for at least 3,500 years.

The village of Yukhari Zaghali is located 15 km southwest of the district center, near Lake Goycha, at the foot of the Dik Pillekan mountain. It is noted on the 5-verst map of the Caucasus[2]. The village is also called Tatar (Azerbaijani) Zaghali[ii]

In 1831, 98 Azerbaijanis lived in the village, 515 in 1873, 717 in 1886, 774 in 1897, 917 in 1908, 1018 in 1914, and 922 in 1916[iii].

In late 1918–early 1919, Azerbaijanis were expelled by Armenians in massacres[iv]. 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 Muş region of Turkey were settled in the village of Yukhari Zagali[v]. Along with Armenians, 185 Azerbaijanis lived here in 1926, and 206 in 1931[vi].

In the November 1988 deportation, about 450–500 Azerbaijanis were forcibly expelled from the village.

The toponym was formed by adding the suffix “-lı” to the word “zagha” in the Azerbaijani language, which means “cave”. It is a structurally complex toponym. The word “Yukhari” used at the beginning of the toponym is a distinguishing feature. The village of Yukhari Zaghali was also called Tashir Zaghali and Kyzyl-Kharaba. After the establishment of the settlement of Ashagi Zaghali in the village of Zaghali, it was called Yukhari Zaghali. The name of the village reflects the name of zagha, cave, cave, shelter. There is no expression related to Armenians in the toponym either.

[i] https://az.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yuxar%C4%B1_Za%C4%9Fal%C4%B1

[ii] Population of Soviet Armenia in the last century (1831–1931). Korkotyan Zaven. Yerevan: “Melkonian Fund” Publishing House, 1932. p.26

[iii] The population of Soviet Armenia in the last century (1831–1931).: Korkotyan Zaven. Yerevan: “Melkonian Fund” Publishing House, 1932. p.26–27, 110–111

[iv] History of Azerbaijan according to documents and publications, Baku, "Elm", 1990. p.249

[v] The population of Soviet Armenia in the last century (1831–1931). Korkotyan Zaven. Yerevan: “Melkonian Fund” Publishing House, 1932. p.26–27

[vi] The population of Soviet Armenia in the last century (1831–1931).: Korkotyan Zaven. Yerevan: "Melkonian Foundation" Publishing House, 1932. pp. 26–27, 110–111