Azokh


Azokh is a village in the Khojavend Rayon of Azerbaijan and Hadrut Province of the Republic of Artsakh, and is situated on the small river Ishhanaget, near to the Azokh Cave.

Etymology

According to Shahen Mkrtchyan, the name of the village comes from the Armenian word, azokh which means unripe grapes. It is believed the Azeri name comes from the word azyh which means bear den.

History

Azokh was first mentioned in the fifth century during Vardan Mamikonian's rebellion against the Sasanian Empire in 451 AD, and also during the Mongol invasion of Armenia in the 13th century. Azokh was part of the Principality of Dizak from the 10th century until its dissolution in the late 18th century. In the early 19th century, immigrants from Karadag, Iran settled in the village.
During the Nagorno-Karabakh War, the village was occupied by the Armenian Army and Artsakh Defense Army in 1993.