Russian forces broke a Persian siege of Etchmiadzin Monastery in 1827, suffering their heaviest losses of any war with Persia while lifting the blockade that same night.
Key Facts
- Date
- 29 August 1827
- Distance from Etchmiadzin
- 35 versts versts
- Numerical disparity
- Persian force tenfold larger than Russian detachment
- Commemorative obelisk erected
- 1833–1834, funded by monastery and local residents
- Memorial complex opened
- 19 April 2011
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
In early August 1827, the Persian army under Crown Prince Abbas Mirza invaded Eastern Armenia and, joining forces with sardar Husayn Khan Qajar of the Erivan Khanate, besieged the Etchmiadzin Monastery. Russian General Krasovsky's detachment was stationed roughly 35 versts away and moved to relieve the besieged monastery, accompanied by Armenian and Georgian volunteers.
On 29 August 1827, Krasovsky's outnumbered Russian detachment fought through Persian blocking lines in intense heat along a route lacking water. Moving under heavy artillery and rifle fire, with the vanguard advancing by bayonet and the rearguard repelling attacks from the rear, the Russian force broke through despite suffering severe losses. Armenian volunteers and capable Russian artillery use on commanding heights were critical to the passage.
The Persian siege of Etchmiadzin Monastery was lifted the same night the Russian detachment broke through. The battle inflicted the greatest losses on the Russian army of any war with Persia. In 1833–1834 a commemorative obelisk was erected at local initiative, and in 2011 the Oshakan Memorial Complex was formally opened to honor the Russian soldiers who fell in the engagement.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Afanasy Krasovsky.
Side B
1 belligerent
Abbas Mirza, Husayn Khan Qajar.