Christophor Araratov
Christophor Araratov (Armenian: Քրիստափոր Արարատեան; Kristap'or Araratian, Russian: Христофор Араратян (Араратов)) (June 18, 1876 – December 10, 1937), also known as Khachatur Araratian and Christapor Araratian, was an Armenian career officer of the Russian Imperial Army. He was promoted to the rank of Major General of the Armenian army during its fight for independence during and after World War I. Araratov participated in the 1918 battles of Sardarapat and Karakilisa against Turkish invaders.
Christophor Araratian (Araratov) | |
|---|---|
| Native name | |
| Born | June 18, 1876 Tiflis, Tiflis Governorate, Russian Empire |
| Died | December 10 1937 (aged 60–61) Yerevan, Armenian SSR, Soviet Union |
| Allegiance | Russian Empire (1890s–1917) Republic of Armenia (1918–1920) Soviet Union (1922) |
| Service/ | Army |
| Years of service | 1896—1922 |
| Rank | Major General |
| Commands held | Artillery brigade of Armed forces of First Republic of Armenia |
| Battles/wars | Russian-Japanese War World War I Armenian National Liberation Movement |
| Awards | see below |
Armenian-American historian Richard G. Hovannisian describes Christophor Araratov:: 19
Minister of Military Affairs Kristapor Araratian was a relative latecomer to Armenian national affairs. As was not uncommon in the officer corps, he had been reared in a Russian milieu and had first served in the Caucasus during the world war. Distinguishing himself at the battle of Sardarabad as commander of the 2nd Artillery Brigade of the Armenian Corps, Colonel Araratian quickly advanced to the rank of major general. In March 1919 he was selected to replace Major General Hakhverdian as the nonpartisan military minister, a post he retained in the coalition, the interim, and [later] the regular cabinet of Alexandre Khatisian.
For having fought to establish the independence of the First Republic of Armenia, in 1937 during the Great Purge of Joseph Stalin, Araratov was arrested and executed on charges of nationalism. Following Stalin's death in 1953, the Soviet government began a period of rehabilitation, which was extended posthumously to many of the tens of thousands of Stalin's victims. Araratov was rehabilitated and his awards were officially restored to him (via his survivors). His achievements were again acknowledged in history books. Araratov during the short-lived Republic of Armenia was described to be a "jolly and honest" soldier.